Website to show value of science

Brussels, 19 June 2002

Seven leading European research organisations have teamed up to produce a website which explains to Europeans how their research impacts on their lives.

The site, 'Sci-tech - couldn't be without it' looks at the technologies which Europeans, and especially younger Europeans use regularly, and which research has helped to bring about. CDs, contact lenses, the Internet, video games and vaccinations are all products that Europeans have come to expect, but which relied heavily on science and research for their development. The website invites Europeans to vote online to identify the technologies which they couldn't live without. Prizes will be given for the first 200 respondents.

The website aims to bring a clear message to Europeans of how research affects them. It will culminate its activities during the European science week, due to take place from 4 to 10 November, when the results of the surveys carried out on the site will be published.

The organisations which have established the site are the following: CERN (European organisation for nuclear research), the European space agency, the European southern observatory, the European molecular biology laboratory, the European fusion development agreement, the European synchroton radiation facility and the Laue-Langevin institute. They have also set up EIROFORUM, which has a working group on outreach activities working with the European Union to inform citizens on research matters in Europe. The European Commission's DG Research also supports the website.

Other features on the site include a chance for schools to participate in a final quiz show, which offers the opportunity to host an Internet quiz and news articles illustrating how research brought about some top technologies.

For further information, please consult the following web address: CERN.ch/sci-tech"> CERN.ch/sci-tech" target="_blank"> http://www.CERN.ch/sci-tech

or contact:
Monica De Pasquale
CERN-CH-1211
Genève 23
Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-7673709
Fax: +41-22-7678710

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001