"In the first half of 2010, Spain takes over the European Council presidency. The Spanish presidency strongly supports the development of ERA and the role of research in future by putting strong emphasis on ERA firmly rooted in society and answering societal demands and on the governance of the stakeholders of ERA. The European Research Area Board (ERAB), a consultative body responsible for advising the EU on the realisation of ERA., published its strategic view for 2030 for ERA, in autumn 2009. It is based on the conviction that ERA is strongly embedded in society, responding to the challenges ahead and identifies six broad areas where action is needed: • The creation of a united ERA • The solution of our Grand Challenges • The interaction of science and society • The collaboration of public and private sectors in open innovation • The encouragement of excellence, and, • The promotion of cohesion The view of ERAB, as laid out above, go very much in parallel with the priority of the Spanish Presidency – ERA firmly rooted in society – and therefore the presidency supports the discussion on the Strategic View for 2030 of ERAB by organising a conference on the 6th and 7th of May 2010 in Seville. It will be the “ERAB Stakeholder conference” for further pan-European reflection and debate on research and innovation and their relationship with the whole spectrum of society and culture. The conference will bring together stakeholders from public and private research organisations, companies, and policy makers at the national and European level, members of the European and national Parliaments and academia.Special attention will be devoted to the views of young researchers, who are invited to give their views on the future ERA, as they will be leaders of research and the decision makers on research policy in 2030 and beyond."