"In the policies of the European Union, statistics on Education or health are gaining a weight equivalent to those of Economics". This was stated at the University of Navarra by Eduardo Barredo, director for social statistics at EUROSTAT, the body that produces European Union statistics. The expert was speaking at a workshop held on the occasion of the International Year of Statistics, organized by the Scientific Coordination of the Institute for Culture and Society at partnership with Jesús López Fidalgo, professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha.

Referring to the new European strategy of research for the coming years, called Horizon 2020, he said that within the area health, issues related to food safety and consumer protection stand out. He also mentioned that research initiatives that promote employment are also to be encouraged.

Eduardo Barredo pointed out that the European Union devotes 70,000 million euros to the Horizon 2020 program, with three priorities: "Strengthening the Union's scientific position, promote competitive industries and addressing social challenges such as aging, food security and health". In Spain, the program was launched last November 11 and the Spanish government's priority is to reach 9.5% of the total funding, close to seven billion euros.

Reduce by 20 million the number of people at risk of poverty by issue .

Some of the goals set by Europe are to reduce by at least 20 million the issue of people in status or at risk of poverty and social exclusion, and to increase to 75% the employment rate of group of people between 20 and 64 years of age. In addition, Barredo emphasized other objectives such as investment in research and development of 3% of the European Union's GDP, a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% increase in energy efficiency and a reduction of fees of withdrawal premature schooling to less than 10%.

Eduardo Barredo's speech was followed by roundtable with Alfonso Osorio, Idoia Portilla, Stella Salvatierra and Juan José Pons, professors at the University of Navarra, and Javier García Manglano, from the University of Oxford.

In the afternoon, presentations were made by Jackeline Agorreta (CIMA), Francisco Guillén Grima (Clínica Universidad de Navarra), Miguel Ángel Martínez González (School of Medicine), Sergio Ardanza-Trevijano (School of Sciences), and Luis Isaac Ramos García (University Clinic) and Jesús López Fidalgo(University of Castilla-La Mancha).