"Communication is a need and a must for science and engaging with the public is more than a priority - it is an obligation," said the Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik, speaking at the opening ceremony of the second CER conference-exhibition, 'Communicating European Research 2005'. The conference, which takes place on 14-15 November 2005, brings together project co-ordinators, representatives from research organisations, journalists, press officers and other communication professionals to promote mutual understanding between their respective roles and to define strategies to improve the way science is reported to European citizens.
"Science deserves a place in the European public sphere. We need to enhance public recognition of the role of scientists and provide scientists with resources and tools which help them to communicate their work", said Potočnik. "Furthermore, we need to improve the image of science in society and define ways to communicate the added value of European research compared to research conducted at national level," he continued.
Another speaker in the opening ceremony, Dr. Alan I. Leshner, the chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) called into question the very aim of the conference. Speaking of the evolving context of science-society dialogue, which he finds "more tense" than before he said that "the assumption that scientific literacy is a problem is not right". Referring to the stated need to communicate science more and better to the public he said that "we can't just educate our way out of the divide between science and society, because the problem is not people's lack of understanding of scientific issues - but the very fact that they don't like some advances of science," he continued.
"If research has always been evaluated according to the costs/risks-benefits equation, today much of the research touches upon issues of core human values and this is why society wants to influence science instead of just being influenced by it," added Dr Leshner making reference to R&D on cloning, stem cells, studies on personal topics such as sex and genetics of behaviour (aggression, intelligence).
Dr. Leshner thus highlighted the need to move beyond communicating science to the public and called for communicating science with the public. "We need to change the nature of science communication from a monologue to a dialogue and listen to the public and their concerns."
