Update - November 11, 2007
Dear Friends:
Planning continues at a rapid pace for the 5th Science Centre World Congress (5SCWC), now just over six months away. To keep you current on developments to our rich program and unique social activities, there will be monthly updates right up until the beginning of the Congress.
In mid-October, the International Program Committee (IPC) met for two days in Toronto. This was the last meeting of the IPC before the Congress and the first “on-site” meeting in the host city. Along with site visits, our busy agenda included planning of the plenary sessions and a final review of parallel sessions. Committee members focused on creating an engaging and enlightening program for the Congress. Further information will follow as more details about the plenaries and parallel sessions are confirmed over the next few months.
I am pleased to announce the confirmed speakers for two keynote sessions linked to two of the three congress sub-themes:
- Planet Earth: Living on it, Changing it, Sustaining it
- The Role of Science Centres in Creating the Future
- Social Responsibility and Citizen Engagement.
Recently confirmed is Sheila Watt-Cloutier, an Inuit leader, a climate change activist and a nominee for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize who will join Dr. Mohamed H. Hassan to address the Congress on the topic of Planet Earth – Living on it, Changing it, Sustaining it. Dr. Hassan is president of the African Academy of Sciences and is the Executive Director of the Academy of Sciences of the Third World of Scientific Organizations. He is an expert on wind erosion and sand transport. Coming from the diverse perspectives of the far North and Africa, Ms Watt-Cloutier and Dr. Hassan will motivate us to consider platforms to engage the public in discussion and debate around topics related to the general health of our planet and how science centres can better position themselves as valued resources on global issues like climate change, infectious diseases and pandemics, and natural disasters.
Jennifer Corriero, Co-Founder and Executive Director of TakingItGlobal, will be the keynote speaker under the sub-theme of the Role of Science Centres in Creating the Future. Ms Corriero is an alumnus of the Ontario Science Centre Science School and has been named as a World Economic Forum Global Leader for Tomorrow. TakingITGlobal is an online community that connects youth to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in their local and global communities. During the keynote, we will hear not only from Jennifer but also from TakingItGlobal representatives in Argentina, Egypt and China live via weblink.
Keynote speakers were selected from outside our field based on their ability to propose ideas and actions that will inspire delegates, both during the congress and following, as we consider how to motivate science centres and our visitors to collective action.
On the fundraising side, Congress Sponsorship Opportunities were recently posted on our website in the Sponsorship section. We expect to announce our first Congress supporters in the next update and continue to welcome organizations who are interested in supporting the Congress and in reaching science centre decision makers.
Important information about the congress will follow in the next few months, starting with the launch of registration over the coming weeks. Details on the parallel sessions will be posted online in advance of registration. Confirmation of the plenary sessions will follow in January.
Remember this is a “green congress” meaning that there will be no paper-based mailings in advance of the congress. Be sure to sign up to receive email alerts when new information is added to this site.
We are all working hard to present a stimulating and memorable 5SCWC for delegates from around the world. I encourage you to watch for the email alerts and keep up to date about registration and program details as they are announced.
Yours,
Lesley Lewis
Chair, 5SCWC Organizing Committee
CEO, Ontario Science Centre
Read Lesley Lewis' other Congress updates: