09/11/2004

An idea which started in France and Great Britain and has spread all over Europe has been officially launched in Greece as well. Its name is "The Science Cafe" and it is a series of public debates about science and technology. Its success in the countries where it operates is due to the direct contact of the public with the research scientists, and the direct dialogue that takes place between them.

The Science Cafe debates always take place in a warm atmosphere of friendly exchange of views, in a relaxed environment where the participants can learn about the latest advances in science and issues of public interest, over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. At the same time, the scientists become aware of the public's concerns, worries and expectations regarding scientific issues.

The Science Cafe is supported by the Eugenides Foundation, the Institut Fran?ais d'Ath?nes, Focus Magazine and the newspaper "TA NEA" as communication sponsor. The first event took place on November 9 at the Cafe Paris - Athenes of the Institut Francais (31, Sina str., Athens) and was part of the European Science Week. The event was hosted by Mr Stratos Theodosiou, Assistant Professor at the Physics Department of the University of Athens, who made a short introductory speech regarding the Big Bang theory and the origins of the Universe. On November 25 the second meeting will take place at the cafeteria of the Eugenides Foundation, hosted by Mr Giorgos Drakatos. The Research Director of the Geodynamic Institute, together with the audience, will discuss and explore the processes that occur inside the Earth, as well as ways for people to learn to live with earthquakes.

The organisers hope that the Science Cafe will soon become an institution. Mr Dionisis Simopoulos, Director of the Planetarium of the Eugenides Foundation, notes: "The Science Cafe is not a series of lectures, but two-way debates, open to people of any age. It is the first time that these debates take place in Greece and, as you can imagine, they are themselves an experiment, as we do not know what the public's response will be - although we hope that it will be positive".

The Science Cafe events will take place every fortnight until the end of May 2005 and will alternate between the Institut Fran?ais and the Eugenides Foundation. Their subjects will include the sciences of astronomy, physics, geodynamics, archaeometry, psychiatry - neuropsychiatry, biochemistry, information technology and business management. The Eugenides Foundation events are also sponsored by the Greek branch of Euroscience, which was created to support the dissemination of scientific and technological knowledge to the general public, through debates and interdisciplinary approaches.

Admission to the Science Cafe is free. However, due to the limited seating, participants must be registered. For more information, please contact the Institut Francais (tel: +30210 3398647-740) or the Eugenides Foundation (tel: +30210 9469670-5).

Source: Eugenides Foundation