Objective
The "CELEBRATE" proposal is being submitted following the launch by the European Commission of a call for proposals regarding the organisation of "Researchers' Nights" across Europe on 22 September 2006. The proposed actions are intended to bring closer to gather the research community and the general public of Cyprus.
The main aim of the proposed events will be to promote the research landscape of Cyprus and put the spotlight on the people and organisations involved in it. In this way we aim to make research "real" and "approachable" by presenting real-life researchers and showing that they are ordinary people with ordinary habits and interests.
Our proposed events will also aim at:
- Reaching the various age groups and categories of the population and giving them a taste of research in Cyprus, Europe and across the world.
- Raising the younger generations' interest in science and research thus helping to create a much needed "research culture".
- Raising the general public's awareness regarding research, its history and major scientific achievements from across the world that have positively affected our everyday lives.
- Giving a clear message to politicians that investing in research will help boost the economy and increase Europe's competitiveness.
Despite the rise in the Government's investment in research over the past few years, that has seen the Research and Development (R&D) expenditure rise from 0,18% in 1992 to almost 0,5% of the GDP in 2005, Cyprus lacks behind its European partners not only in research activities and infrastructure but most importantly in "research culture".
Thus, the opportunity to organise raising awareness events, with the collaboration of most of the island's Academic and Research Institutions, will hopefully be the beginning of what promises to be a new era of increased interest and investment in research, both in the public and private sector.
Keywords
Call for proposal
FP6-2006-MOBILITY-13
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
SSA - Specific Support ActionCoordinator
NICOSIA
Cyprus