Launch event for first ever pan-European conference on science and technology

Brussels, 08 May 2002

The launch event for a pioneering pan-European interdisciplinary scientific conference, due to take place in 2004, will be held in Stockholm, Sweden on 17 May.

The 2004 event will seek to provide a forum for open dialogue on science and technology in European society and will also take place in Stockholm. In a recent interview with CORDIS News, Director of the Research DG's science and society directorate Rainer Gerold stressed the need for such an event, which was inspired by conferences held by the American association for the advancement of science (AAAS). Plans for such a European conference are outlined in the Commission's science and society action plan.

Speakers at the launch event will include Jean-Patrick Connerade, President of Euroscience, Philip Campbell, Chief editor of the journal 'Nature', Madeleine Leijonhufvud, deputy director-general of the Swedish research council and Hans Wigzell, President of the Karolinska Institute, and scientific adviser to the Swedish Prime Minister.

The project, initiated by Euroscience, involves many important European organisations. Initial support and funding have been received from the Swedish research council, FAS, FORMAS and VINNOVA research councils and the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

The 2004 conference will highlight science in Europe. In particular, it will present front line science, including the humanities, enhance scientific awareness and foster a debate on science and society.

Participants will include academics, policy makers, politicians and representatives from media and science based industries.

The aims of the launching event on 17 May are to inform decision makers and organisations about the preparations for the 2004 meeting and to engage the scientific community, society organisations and industry in the event.

For further information, please contact:
Professor Carl Johan Sundberg
Euroscience Sweden
carl.j.sundberg@cmi.ki.se
Tel: +46 70 517 6886

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001