Fwurg

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

"My fine Senators, I plan to open a new vote soon and before I do, I want to solicit your opinions on this most important matter.

It is well known to us all that cooperation between Union members is something to be encouraged - we often see small groups of members making agreements to cooperate in specific area's and this is something that currently receives too little support from the Union.

We are looking to create a fund to help encourage this kind of cooperation, both by funding certain plans made by these smaller groups and by encouraging them to publicly announce their existence while allowing expansion to incorporate other Union members at a later date.

Within this framework, I hereby open the floor for discussions surrounding this topic, and I am especially hoping to hear concrete proposals, as well as information about groups or cooperatives which may warrant Union sponsorship.

Please, discuss this matter!"

[Chancellor Dewa Lanadi]

"Honoured chancellor, esteemed senators", the veolian senator starts, "I too feel that the Union can do more to support cooperative efforts by its members. Part of this is, as indicated by the chancellor, that such initiatives are ususally too small to draw attention."

"An example of such an initiative is the Djana Military Research Centre. This research centre in the Niras system in 10 -5 is a little-known initiative of multiple Union members, in this case the Veolian Commonwealth, the Teprogrenaian Consensus and the Unified Republic of Darya. Since it's establishment nearly two and a half years ago the centre has quietly and diligently worked away at improving the state of defensive technology within the Union. The institute is currently led by mister Aunzora, who took over after the unfortunate passing of mister Bolv'ar.

The centre also showcases collaboration in the spirit of understanding: during the inception of the military research centre, the partners agreed that the institute would not in any form employ slaves or be associated with slavery. Despite what has been said about us, the Veolian Commonwealth happily agreed to this idea.

The Djana military research centre has also been working with the Hiocan Society to uncover advanced technologies gleaned from the ruins on Erau. With the Unified Republic stepping back not only does it open up their seat on the board of directors, this might be a good time to look towards further cooperation with other Union Worlds that seek to improve the technological level of the Union's defenses."

Lanadi waited for a moment to let this information sink in.

"Of course, increased support from the Union would be most appreciated. Support for technological research is already present through tax deductable research subsidies, but the operational cost of the institute is also a factor in what can be achieved. With new Union members joining the initiative we could look towards extending the research centre to act as a shipyard for advanced and experimental vessels, and to increase the number of active research groups."


"There is also the possibility that some of the cooperative initiatives are only seen as economic constructs, despite their beneficial structure and influence. An example of this is the VAC, which originally started as an economic collaboration between Vaspa Industries and the Ahlstorm Enterprise. Yet, since its establishment it has grown to one of the largest conglomerates in the Union, holding , and under its umbrella. Members that wish to join the VAC are only asked that they commit to helping establish a new branch of industry under the VAC umbrella.

Many of these industrial branches have been made possible for members of the VAC only because they were generously subsidized by the other members, even when economics dictated they would be doing so at a loss. These taxes were given to members in need of funding not because of economical considerations. Of course, the issue of Union-based funding is a more complex one for initiatives that also serve an economic purpose, yet I do feel that the VAC has risen above a purely economic construct to become an industrial incubator where members support each other through know-how and cooperation.

With the lessened activity of the Daryans, here too there are new opportunities for expansion. Of course the VAC would be helped very much if a solution could be found that helps all members carry the burden of taking over those branches previously supported by the Unified Republic of Darya."


"I feel that both these initiatives are worthy of support from the Union, and I look forward to hearing from other Union worlds how they envision this support."