Questions and Answers

Q: What is ESOF2004?
A: EuroScience Open Forum 2004 is Highlighting Science, Technology, and Innovation in Europe. ESOF2004 will provide a forum for open dialogue, debate and discussion on the sciences, in its broadest sense (encompassing also the humanities and the social sciences). It is the first pan-European interdisciplinary initiative to present science to the public.

Q: When and where is ESOF2004 taking place?
A: 25 – 28 August, 2004, in Stockholm, Sweden

Q: What are the aims of ESOF2004?
A: The main aims of ESOF2004 are to:
• present science and the humanities at the cutting edge
• stimulate scientific awareness
• foster debate on science and society

Q: How can I/our organisation contribute to ESOF2004?
A: In many different ways:

• become a Partner, by giving financial support
• submit proposals for the Scientific Programme or outreach activities
• organise satellite meetings in Stockholm before or after ESOF2004
• become a volunteer at the venue
• come to Stockholm and join the event
• be an ESOF2004-friend, by telling people in your network about the event
• become an individual or associate Member of Euroscience

Q: Who is behind ESOF2004?
A: The main organisation behind the meeting is Euroscience. ESOF2004 is supported by several Partners to date.

Q: Will there be any reduced fees or financial support for participant from Eastern Europe?
A: It will be possible for young scientists (first and foremost) from Eastern- and Central Europe to apply for travel allowances from IVA (The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences). There might also be other possibilities for financial support from other organisations later on. More information about this will be published here on the web during the summer or early autumn.

Q.: Are there travel grants available for organizers of sessions and presentations?
A.: The Stifterverband (Donor´s Association for the Sciences and Humanities in Germany) offers grants and allowances for german convenors of sessions and workshops, poster-exhibitions, lectures etc. in its programme-scheme “PUSH goes Europe!”. The grants may also be used for international participants of a session. Go to Stifterverbands website for more information! There might also be other possibilities for travel grants from other organisations later on.

Q: How will the proposals be judged and what are the important criterias?
A: The proposals will be judged in a review process on which the ESOF2004 Programme Committee will base its selection. The import criteria's in the review process are:

• quality of the proposed content
• international perspective
• relevance to the objectives of the forum
• originality
• degree of interactivity
• potential to attract public/media interest

Q: How much will the fee for the Open Forum be?
A: The levels of the fees for the event have now been set to the following levels in EURO (values in parenthesis are for one day tickets):

The fees above are for all four days of ESOF2004.

If you are not already a member of the EuroScience organisation, you can become one at their website: www.euroscience.org. The issue concerning reduced fees for participants organising or taking part in a session at the Open Forum, is now being discussed.

Q: What kind of session may you propose to the EuroScience Open Forum 2004?
A: The types of sessions you may propose are:

• “Pro” and “Con” Debate - Two speakers are involved. One is assigned to speak for a certain belief or view-point and the other speaker against. It is essential that there is a certain element of respectful dialogue in a session of this kind in order to bring the topic forward. The session should be moderated by a third person with strong communicative skills
• Workshops - Could be on any topic. It may be practically oriented or have a more theoretical content. It should be led by someone experienced from such undertakings and there should be a large degree of preparation including work material if necessary.
• Discussions - One to three speakers set the stage with brief (5 minutes) opening presentations. Thereafter the floor is open to an interactive dialogue with the audience.
• Interviews - An experienced interviewer has a dialogue in a personalised fashion with the interviewee. It can be quite informal but must of course be extremely well prepared.
• Seminars – A session involving two to four speakers and an interactive educational dialogue with a participant audience.
• Symposium - A session involving two to four speakers (if 1.5 hrs) or three to six speakers (if 3 hrs) with a broad audience addressed and a large attendance expected

.
It is also possible to choose another stimulating format that suits your proposal. Please fill in proposal at our on-line form.

Q: When is the deadline to submit proposals on Outreach Activities?
A: We need your ideas and proposals as soon as possible but at the latest at the 1st of November.

Q: When will it be possibly to register for EuroScience Open Forum?
A: It will be possible to register for the event here, on-line, February 2004.

Q: I have submitted a Proposal to ESOF2004 and would like to know when I will be contacted about the final acceptance and the details for presentation, if that is the case.
A: Now there will be a review process and then the final acceptance of proposals will be made by ESOF2004's Program Committee in mid December. Answers to all how have submitted proposals will be given latest 15 Jnauary 2004.