Closing Ceremony and Toronto Declaration

Toronto Declaration a challenge and a benchmark for the future

The conference hall filled with heartfelt applause and emotion as representatives of each of the regional networks and the International Program Committee signed The Toronto Declaration. The declaration arose out of a consensus that identifying an inspirational and motivational agenda would help science centres get recognition for the important role that they play, while presenting a shared set of beliefs and common commitments for the future, Congress Chair Lesley Lewis said.

Lewis reflected that the commitments and vision expressed in the declaration mirrored the discussion that took place throughout the Congress. To a hushed room, she read the commitments outlined in the declaration:

• We advocate that all citizens should have access to a science centre or its services in their own region. We will use our collective expertise and experience in helping to expand the activities of our sector to places and communities where science centres are needed and wanted but not yet established.
• We commit to work together to overcome cultural, physical, social, economic and geographic barriers to engage and connect people through science.
• We will actively seek out issues related to science and society where the voices of citizens should be heard and ensure that dialogue occurs.
• We will work together to identify how science centres can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Goals.
• We will search for funding and mechanisms to create a better future for all through global engagement with issues of local, national and global relevance, including environmental awareness, science education and innovation.
• At the Sixth Science Centre World Congress, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2011, we shall assess the extent to which we have, as individual institutions and collectively, moved forward on the goals established here.

“They’re powerful words, strong commitments,” Lewis concluded, “but we have the strength of science centres around the world to fulfil them.”