Busquin highlights importance of Commission's science and society action plan
People feel the need to understand issues before they can make an informed decision on scientific advances, European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin told a conference on public awareness of science in Brussels on 17 December. He emphasised that the efforts made at European level, such as European science week, the Archimedes prizes and European scientist competitions, all help to increase public knowledge of science, but that the Commission's science and society action plan will be the one of the main focal points in addressing scientific awareness. 'It contains a series of actions in different domains: ethics, dialogue with citizens, the implication of these in research policies. One of its most important sections is the promotion of the public's knowledge of science,' said Mr Busquin. He highlighted the elements of the plan which could help in bringing greater awareness, such as coordination of festivals and events specialising in science, promotion of science publications, the creation of a scientific press agency and an audiovisual scientific exchange forum. But one of the key elements is to ensure that, as well as addressing adults who have expressed a desire for more information on science (according to the results of the recent Eurobarometer survey), information should be given at an early stage to children at school. 'The project of a knowledge-based society in Europe depends on the development of strong and multiple ties between research and education,' said Mr Busquin. Spreading the knowledge of scientific advances and applicability is a task that everyone needs to be involved with. Inside the scientific community, there is a clear need to ensure that results are promoted widely and comprehensibly and that all information is disseminated to as wide an audience as possible. On the part of the media, action is required to address the thirst for more scientific information that was reflected in the Eurobarometer, in a way that is accessible to all, according to Mr Busquin. 'The attainment of the objective which we envisage requires coordinated mobilisation of numerous categories of people working in close collaboration: educators, the media, communication professionals, political decision makers, industry representatives, and, of course, the scientists themselves,' he said.