Copenhagen to host ESOF2014

Copenhagen (Denmark) has been selected as the host for the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) in 2014, to take place June 21-26. ESOF is the largest general science and science policy conference in Europe and is held biennially.

The Selection was made by the ESOF Supervisory Board comprising representatives of Euroscience and its five partner foundations (see below) that support the ESOF central operation.

Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen says we must use ESOF2014 to discuss current and ground-breaking research, impart exciting new knowledge and debate which research policies we will pursue in the future not just in Denmark, but in Europe and at a global level .

With "Science Building Bridges" as the motto, ESOF2014 has research, education and innovation as its focus. It will gather both young and established researchers to facilitate a dialogue between business leaders, media, policymakers and the wider public.

Dr Gail Cardew, Chair of the ESOF Supervisory Board commented we are excited by the prospect of ESOF visiting Copenhagen. The city will form the perfect backdrop to the inclusive scientific debate that has come to characterise ESOF. We look forward to taking the bid to reality with the Danish team. The Danish traditions of openness and inclusiveness in debates on research policies will characterise the agenda of ESOF2014. We want to create an event that is inclusive for all those who wish to discuss research, technology, innovation and education.

We do not see ESOF2014 as a one-off event, but as a culmination of an international wider effort to embrace research in the run-up to 21-26 June 2014, says Prof. Klaus Bock, who has been selected as the Champion for ESOF2014. Copenhagen is a popular conference city and host to more than 100 international conferences every year. We are looking forward to welcome ESOF participants in Copenhagen and expand the European and global network of the host region says city representative, Lars Bernhard Jørgensen.

ESOF2014 is expected to attract up to 5,000 participants, of which 400 are expected to be journalists covering and engaging in the event. A complete programme of outreach events is being planned with up to 50,000 members of the public taking part.

The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation under the auspices of the Ministry has already begun planning ESOF2014 in cooperation with Euroscience, Wonderful Copenhagen®, Danish universities and a wide range of Danish and international stakeholders.

The five foundations supporting the ESOF Hub are

Compagnia di San Paolo, Torino, Italy; Fondazione Cariplo, Milano, Italy; Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, Stockholm, Sweden; Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany; and Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, Essen, Germany.

For further information or for any access to the documents linked to ESOF2014, please contact the ESOF Hub at: esof@euroscience.org