European Science Foundation‘s 25th Annual Assembly - Strasbourg, 25-26 November 1999

Anniversary meeting of Europe’s leading research networking agency

The European Science Foundation’s 25th Annual Assembly takes place in Strasbourg on 25-26 November 1999, beginning on Thursday 25th at 14:00 hrs, and ending on Friday 26th at 12:30 hrs.

ESF President, Sir Dai Rees will chair the Assembly, and more than 140 senior representatives from ESF member organisations (national research councils and academies) and the world’s leading scientific associations are expected to attend.

In addition to a full set of ESF business items, including reports on the scientific highlights of the year, revision of the Foundation’s governance, and the election of a new President, four key-note speakers will address delegates on the topic of "European Science in the Global Context." The speakers will be:

* Professor Ian Halliday, Chief Executive, Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, UK

* Professor Tom Ratchford, George Mason University of Law, USA, founder of the GMU Centre for Science, Trade, and Technology Policy and former White House adviser.

* Professor Guy Ourisson, President, Académie des Sciences, and University of Strasbourg

* Professor Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, President, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

At a special ceremony on the Thursday evening, the first European Latsis prize will be awarded to Professor Jürgen Baumert of the Max-Planck Institute for Human Development.

A number of places are available for journalists to attend the meeting.  A very few items, such as Finance and ESF membership, may be taken in private session. If this is the case, briefings on the main decisions taken will be given afterwards.

Notes for editors:

1. The European Science Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary in 1999. It is the European association of 65 major national funding agencies devoted to scientific research in 22 countries. The ESF assists its member organisations in two main ways: by bringing scientists together in its scientific programmes, networks, exploratory workshops and European research conferences, to work on topics of common concern, and through the joint study of issues of strategic importance in European science policy.

Issued 15.11.99

For further information contact  : Andrew Smith

Category: Media Centre, Press Releases 1999