More than 30 researchers come to the EP to 'shadow' MEPs in their daily activities as part of a scheme aiming to foster greater mutual understanding.

Top scientists team up with policymakers

The European Parliament's  Scientific Foresight Unit or STOA,

paired MEPs and scientists  for a three-day experiment,

so they can keep ahead of the game  in research breakthroughs

We have to educate our parliamentarians  about the latest scientific developments,

and we now employ approximately 300  scientists within the European Parliament.

The climate for doing research  in Europe is great.

And it is stimulated  for example by the rotation of people.

European research needs a boost  when it comes to profitability.

Europe is doing very well  in terms of scientific research.

Maybe we are not as good as the US  in making money out of it,

and it's been like that for a long time.

In my area, all the big companies  are based in California,

but a lot of the talent in those companies  comes from Europe.

We have to bridge  what politicians decide to do

with what the scientists are working on.

So that we don't work  against each other but together.

MEPs will then translate this shared  knowledge into a legal framework

with the aim of improving the lives  of the citizens they represent.