RADE · RESEARCHERS AGAINST DEGRADING ENVIRONMENT

The Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry of NKUA and the Hellenic Oceanographers’ Association, in the framework of the European programme ‘Researchers’ night 2007’, intend to organize an open-air event, called ‘Researchers Against Degrading Environment’ (R.A.D.E.) on Friday, September 28th 2007. The event will be held in the municipality of Elefsina, a historical and industrial town situated on the western coast of Attica and will include a wide range of both scientific and entertaining activities, organized in a multi- purpose sense, including the “Draw a Researcher” competition. The environmentally orientated activities will address people of all ages and backgrounds. The strategic objective of R.A.D.E. is to attract the interest of a mass audience of approximately 1500 attendees and introduce them to researchers in a festive way. It will give them the chance to socialize with scientists, uncovering the social aspect of their personality, and therefore comprehend that they are “normal” human beings. Additionally, R.A.D.E. will demonstrate that European citizens can benefit from the support of the European Union by means of various actions such as Marie Curie Schemes and awards. The project will attempt to raise the locals’ environmental awareness through the activities included, consequently demonstrating that environmental research can be an integrated part of ordinary people’s life and not just a matter of professionals. Finally, through the R.A.D.E. event we wish to establish a fall rendezvous between researchers and the public.