ASTC is pleased to partner with other science engagement networks from around the world to help create and participate in the first ever International Directors Forum on Science Engagement. The event, which will be held November 14–17, 2023, is hosted by Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, in Vantaa, Finland.
The International Directors Forum will bring together global leaders in science engagement, chief executives, and directors of science museums and centers, to foster collaboration and exchange ideas. Coming from 99 different organizations in 40 countries, the participants have a global audience of 300 million individual, providing an opportunity to amplify the impact of our collective efforts in tackling the planetary emergency and misinformation.
Science engagement and democracy is crucial for informed decision-making, fostering public trust, and advancing societal progress in an increasingly complex world. Involving citizens in these major challenges is essential.
The International Directors Forum is led by Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums, in partnership with host institution Heureka. In addition to ASTC, the initiative has been created together with other sister engagement networks, including the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC), North Africa and Middle East Science centers network (NAMES), Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology in Latin America and The Caribbean (RedPOP), and Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC).
The program for the event comprises speeches and workshops bringing diverse perspectives to the core forum topics of the planetary emergency and misinformation, to stimulate thought and inspire creativity. Speakers include the following:
- Dr. Brigitte Baptiste, biologist and expert ecologist on biodiversity and environmental issues in her native Colombia
- Siim Kumpas, policy officer playing a central role in spreading awareness of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) in Europe
- Dr. Paula Kahumbu, wildlife conservationist and CEO of WildLifeDirect, the largest nonprofit wildlife blogging site in Africa
- Márton Gergely, editor-in-chief at Hungary’s highest-circulation weekly newspaper, one of the last independent editorial offices in the country
- Markku Wilenius, professor of Future Studies at Turku University in Finland
- Dr. Maria Mäkelä, professor of literature at Tampere University and whose expertise lies in storytelling and narrative
- Risto Isomäki, activist and writer of 44 books that range from science fiction to non-fiction
- Orna Ben Lulu, founder and editor-in-chief of RARE Media offering diverse and inclusive journalism aimed at young people
- Enni Similä (Uhca-Paadar Risten Jarkko Enni), is a young Sámi activist who works in the Saami Council
- Viktor Jaakkola, climate activist working with Operaatio Arctic and aiming to inspire others that Climate Repair, techniques to stabilise the climate system, is possible
- Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, interdisciplinary artists combining film, performance, game design, experimental education, facilitation, social architecture and alternative economies to present imagined solutions for a better world through the medium of art
- Tomi Pulkkinen, a songwriter, singer, performing artist and author – known as Finland’s first library troubadour