EDITORIAL

On behalf of my team in Barcelona and of Euroscience I would like to thank you very much for participating in the 2008 ESOF meeting!

With more than 4000 participants coming from 63 countries, 500 press attendees and almost 450 speakers we can say that the third edition of ESOF accomplished its goals. Thus, ESOF has contributed once more to highlight Europe on the world map of science. Besides the quality of over 100 sessions which where packed at most times, Barcelona offered a good opportunity for people to meet with and talk to other colleagues, policymakers, educators, business managers and journalists.

As a new feature, ESOF has dedicated for the first time a special session to Science and Business which was very much welcome by delegates from the industry and researchers. Further, specific activities involving students, science teachers and ESOF speakers were carried out for the first time in Barcelona, confirming the need to encourage scientific vocations at school. The interest of the educative community for more activities of the kind and the need to gather together scientists and educators was emphasized.

On the other hand, the Career Programme was attended by the 900 young scientists representing almost a 25% of all delegates below 35 years old who found specially interesting the interactive “Tapas with the Prof” sessions. The events gave young researchers the opportunity to benefit from the experience and inspiration of Europe’s leading researchers and policy makers in an informal atmosphere over lunch.

Groups of young scientists engaged in lively discussions with Nobel Laureates and other ESOF top speakers.

Last but not least, about 10,000 people attended the 70 activities in the event’s Outreach programme, helping to fulfil one of ESOF’s goals – improving communication of science in society.

We hope you enjoyed ESOF2008 as much as we did and hope to see you in Torino in two years time!

ESOF2008 IN IMAGES

Follow the link to see more pictures and videos about Barcelona…

ESOF2008 IN FACTS AND FIGURES

4115 participants from 63 countries attended ESOF2008 in Barcelona from 18th to 22 July

26% of delegates came from Spain, 15% came from Germany, 11% from UK and 7% came from Italy whereas 3% came from US.

900 participants below 35 years old

An average of 312 participants attended the plenary sessions

An average of 104 participants attended the keynote and parallel sessions

511 press delegates reported about the Congress

452 speakers participated in 123 sessions of the Scientific Programme

More than 300 researchers and teachers from European universities and research centres presented 58 Outreach activities

Media coverage

Press clipping:

• from Spanish media: 193
• from Spanish media online: 102
• from International media (including those online): 218

Television:

·     from Spanish TV: 33

·     international:

•  
  • July 18th, GVW 2200 GMT, GVW replay July 19th 1045 GMT – Food; More choice or less?
  • July 19th GVW 2200 GMT, GVW replay July 20th 1045 GMT – Brain Research VNR
  • July 20th, GVW 2200 GMT, GVW replay July 21st 1045 GMT – Energy – What happens when the oil runs out?
  • July 21st, GVW 2200 GMT, GVW replay July 22nd 1045 GMT – Children designing families and shaping minds.
  • July 22nd, GVW 2200 GMT, GVW replay July 23rd 1045 GMT – Fighting drugs in sport: The gloves are off.

Radio:

·     from Spanish radio: 15 activities

Please check the demographics report at
http://www.esof2008.org/fileadmin/documents/STATISTICSESOF2008.pdf for further details.

DESTINATION TORINO 2010

ESOF 2008 in Barcelona was a great adventure and it will now be difficult to parallel it. However, the good news are that Torino has already started working for 2010 and has taken the challenge to aim even higher together with those who have made Barcelona such a success.

With its prestigious Universities, scientific Academies and Institutions, Torino has a long tradition in science, technology but also in innovation. Did you know that most of the modern inventions came to Italy via Torino? The city has shown over and over again a renewed capacity to transform itself and modernize. Further, Torino and Piedmont have also a long tradition in high quality of life, fashion, food, wines, shows etc.

ESOF is not just a means to increase the visibility of science but to increase the welfare and the quality of life. Here the motto of ESOF2010 "Passion for Science" may turn out very cogent and, let us hope, a good omen. So, ARRIVEDERCI A ESOF 2010 A TORINO!

Enrico Predazzi
Chair ESOF2010

To find out about ESOF2010 please check:
http://www.esof2010.org
info@esof2010.org

ESOF2008 was made possible thanks to:

ORGANIZERS
Euroscience
FCRI
Committees

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
Ajuntament de Barcelona
Generalitat de Catalunya
Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio
European Comission
CSIC
CIEMAT

MAIN SUPPORTERS
Robert Bosch Stiftung
Cia San Paolo
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical
“la Caixa”
Caixa Catalunya

TECHNOLOGICAL PARTNER
Telefonica

SUPPORTERS
Gulbenkian
COST - European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research
CDTI - Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial
The Swedish Research Council
FAS - Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research
Formas - Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
VINNOVA - Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems

COLLABORATORS
Agencia Catalana de la Joventut
British Council
Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona
Confederación de Sociedades Científicas de España
European Science Foundation
Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología
Institut d’Estudis Catalans
Instituto Novartis de Comunicación en Biomedicina
La Seda
Reial Acadèmia de les Ciències i les Arts de Barcelona
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science)
TVM Capital
World Federation of Science Journalists

MEDIA COLLABORATORS
Associació Catalana de Comunicació Científica
Alphagalileo
Athenaweb
Barcelona TV
Consell Català de la Comunicació Científica - C4   
Catalunya Radio
Nature
New Scientist
Popular Science
Seed
Televisió de Catalunya - TV3
Universia

Legal notice
In compliance with the contents of article 5 of the Organic Law 15/1999, of 13 December concerning the Protection of Personal Data (hereinafter 'LOPD'), La Fundació Catalana per a la recerca i la innovació (hereinafter, FCRI) with NIF G-58265784 and settled in Barcelona, Passeig LLuís Companys, 23, register under number 281 of the Registre de Fundacions de la Generalitat de Catalunya, would like to inform you that your personal data will be kept in a file under the responsibility of FCRI. You may exercise your right of access, rectification, cancellation and opposition to the handling of your personal data, according to the terms and conditions provided in the LOPD. by sending an email to info@esof2008.org or by postal mail to the addess of FUNDACIÓ CATALANA PER A LA RECERCA I LA INNOVACIÓ
The purpose of collecting your personal data is to promote ESOF and its main objective of providing an open forum for debate and communication within the science community of Europe and the world