MERSCIN · INTERNATIONAL MERSİN SCIENCE NIGHT

The MERSCIN (International Mersin Science Night) project proposal sets out to host a European Researchers’ Night in the TurkishMediterranean coastal city of Mersin. Sixteen participating organisations will take part - one Austrian and fifteen Turkish togetherwith the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders comprising high level officials, universities and public figures.The main aims of the proposal are to increase public awareness about science and the work of researchers and to bridgethe gap between scientists and the general public, to actively promote science and research as a vitally important andrewarding career path for the young generations participating and to instill greater environmental awareness in citizens andimpart the need to protect dwindling local habitats from the ongoing mass urbanisation whilst also convincing theparticipating stakeholders of the same issues. Ultimately through hosting this event we would aim to create a platformformed by strong public opinion gained from the increase of awareness during the event, towards pressurising localgovernmental bodies towards the establishment of a Science Centre. The objectives will be achieved by exposing a largecross section of the public and in particularly schoolchildren and youths to a rich diversity of disciplines in science and bycreating a festival spirit amongst participants. Because the European Researchers’ Night is a huge annual event in manyEuropean cities attendees will feel the excitement of being able to take part in this multi-national NIGHT, especiallyproviding motivation for the young generations to become involved in science. The ability to host a Researchers’ Night eventin Mersin would provide a range of benefits to this rapidly developing city which in recent years has seen a large populationincrease through immigration from easter Turkish cities and Syria.