The Euroscience Open Forum is a biennial european meeting, dedicated to research and innovation and launched by the EuroScience, the European Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology, an organization involving over 2000 scientists of 40 European Countries.
ESOF consists of a Forum for discussion of topical issues, an embedded conference (with an exhibition) to showcase European achievements right across the scientific and technological spectrum, and an outreach programme. The outreach programme consists of a large number of events and happenings throughout the ESOF host city, which are targeted to the public at large of all ages.
At ESOF2004 in Stockholm, the outreach programme “Science in the City” attracted 11000 visitors. At ESOF2006, the outreach programme was linked to the “Wissenschaftssommer”, attracting some 60000 visitors.
ESOF also serves as a young scientists’ forum, encouraging students, PhD students and post-docs to share their experience and participate in debates about such subjects as the European Charter for Researchers, how to motivate young people to engage in scientific careers, and how the construction of the European Research Area enhances the prospects of young scientists.
The starting point of ESOF’s European journey was Stockholm, Sweden, in 2004. Two years later, ESOF’s itinerary brought the event to Munich, Germany. And, after ESOF2006, the route is continuing southwards: ESOF2008, will be held in the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain from 18–22 July 2008 and in 2010 the ”Euroscience city” will be an Italian one, Turin.
Turin succeeded against three other extremely professional bids from Copenhagen, Paris and Wroclaw, because, according to Peter Tindemans, Chair of the Selection Committee, “ it convinced the committee that its plans for reaching out beyond Turin and across Europe would provide the widest possible opportunity for dialogue between the citizens of Europe and the research community”.
Turin’s bid was led by the Compagnia di San Paolo, AgorĂ Scienza and CentroScienza. Considering that ESOF is aimed at promoting the relationship between science and society, paying particular attention to scientific research policies and to young researchers’careers opportunities, Observa – science in society provided its support as scientific partner, together with INAF, Turin Politechnic and FIAT Research Center.
The Euroscience Open Forum 2010 will be held at the Turin Lingotto
from the 2nd to the 7th July 2008 : the physical ESOF location is a remarkable venue in the form of an early 20th century Fiat factory transformed by Renzo Piano into a conference centre symbolising the links between science, industry and design.
The whole city will play a lead role in the event, with a programme involving its main institutions and scientific, technological and cultural centers. Turin’s bid also highlighted the tradition and the experience of a sort of a lab-town, a scientific and industrial capital and its commitment in circulating science among citizens, its ability to look at the youngest and creative part of civil society and to exploit the opportunities offered by the 2006 Winter Olimpic Games. Moreover, Turin’s bid represents a success for the whole national context: it recognizes the will of several italian public and private institutions to actively participate and contribute in the process of promoting scientific culture and research and innovation.
More information on ESOF 2010 are available at the official website www.esof2010.org
