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Given the evident potential of the science of complex systems and because of the increasing problems, e.g., in the management of complex electronic or software systems, and in the control of political and economic networks, various bodies, institutions and governments have acted to strengthen the research in complexsystems and to foster the transfer of knowledge.

Such programs are NEST (New and Emergent Science and Technology) and IST-FET (Information Society Technology - Future and Emerging Technologies) in EU and the Center for Complexity Science in Jerusalem. Significant investments have been made to support new fields of research such as networks, cognitive systems, artificial cells, autonomously interacting robots, and many other areas. Two coordination actions were particularly effective in centralizing the activity of the many complexity projects: GIACS and ONCE-CS . One of the main results of this investment was a series of conferences: Turin 2004 , Paris 2005 , Oxford 2006 and Dresden 2007 with the result of bringing together the various related disciplines, focusing the diverse research activities, and fostering them. The goal of the 2008 conference in Jerusalem is to reflect the recent progress in the field of complexity science and to significantly increase the actively involved community.