AS PREPARATIONS continue for what will be the biggest science event in Europe next year, the Government has declared its full backing for the Dublin City of Science EuroScience Open Forum 2012.
The event will see up to 8,000 international visitors and delegates converging on Dublin’s convention centre to hear about the latest developments in scientific research.
“The Government remains wholeheartedly committed to the Dublin City of Science 2012 project,” said Seán Sherlock, Minister of State for Research. The meeting would showcase the best of Irish research and promote careers in science, technology, engineering and maths, he said.
His comments followed a briefing yesterday from the Dublin City of Science organising committee to hear about developments including the names of a number of keynote speakers who will attend the event next July.
They include former president Mary Robinson and the heads of both the European Space Agency and Cern, the European nuclear research centre. Controversial biologist and entrepreneur Craig Venter will also address the EuroScience Open Forum Dublin meeting, which takes place on July 11th-15th, 2012.
Support for research represents a key element of current policy. “The Government regards investment in R&D as a critical element in the road to economic recovery,” Mr Sherlock said.
While the forum meeting is the key event during the year, the much wider Dublin City of Science programme will include events taking place across the island of Ireland throughout 2012.