EURORES · European Researchers’ Night in Greece

The need to increase public awareness on how research is performed and is beneficial for the society, has been the driving force for this project. The main objective of the EURORES is to bring closer researchers to the Greek society, increase public recognition and strengthen their role in the research and technological development of Greece. In parallel, EURORES aims to stimulate young people’s interest towards science and make research an attractive career. To this direction, on 26.9.2008, three Researchers’ Night Events will be organized in three big cities of Greece, Athens, Larissa and Alexandroupolis and they will be devoted to X-rays application in archaeology, drug discovery, and health (Athens), Biotechnology in everyday life (Larissa), and Molecules of Life (Alexandroupolis). A host of activities including round table discussions, interaction with the audience, demonstrations, displays, a wide variety of experiments for hands-on experience, and photo competitions will help to attract more than 6000 visitors of all ages to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of science, along with benefits that the research should bring to society in the future from potential cures and treatments of diseases to the impact of biotechnology on society. To achieve this, an awareness campaign targeting mass media will be launched, a website, and a European corner will be installed, amongst others. The integration of these activities within EURORES will significantly enhance the position of the European researcher in society in the years to come.