Letter from the President:

Dear EUSCEA members,

Dear friends,

It is nearly ten years ago EUSCEA has been founded.  A group of science communicators had the vision that there will be more science communication events in future and therefore a need exists to exchange best practices.  During the years EUSCEA grew and became a well recognized organization with about 100 members in 36 countries. The network of EUSCEA members was strengthened by working together in different projects.

One of these projects is 2WAYS - a project funded by the European Commission. In December 2010 the 2WAYS project finals took place in Brussels showing the creativity of our members. For the first time, scientists and science communicators from different countries worked together to develop new science communication activities to present the fascination and the latest results of life science research to the general public. Cutting edges cience has been explained in easy understandable ways.

At the same time participants of the first Young European Science Parliament intensively discussed controversial and ethical questions related to life science. EUSCEA offered the European youth a platform to present their views and opinions to members of the European Parliament and of the European Commission.  Scientists, who participated as experts during the Science Parliament’s hearings were impressed by the quality of the debates.

The described activities show that EUSCEA is not only an association to exchange best practices. Much more, EUSCEA members are highly interested in developing new concepts and new ideas for science communication.They want to optimize the dialogue between scientists and the public, stimulating a mutual learning process for the benefit of the European society.

The best place to go to learn more about latest developments in European science communication is the EUSCEA Annual Conference. The next conference will be in Gothenburg 13 -15 May 2011. Make the best use of your association and come to Gothenburg and meet your colleagues. Discuss with them new trends and new ideas. Listen to experts who have been selected by the program committee. In addition you will have the chance to visit the Gothenburg International Science Festival - a highly recognized science communication event.

I am absolutely convinced that we all will benefit from that gathering and will come home with lot of new thoughts and ideas for future activities. Therefore, I would like to invite you all to Gothenburg.

Looking forward to see you all in May,

Herbert Münder

EUSCEA President