On behalf of Ecsite I am delighted to welcome you to the third edition of the EMME school. Ecsite values this partnership with NAMES as one that opens new perspectives, broadens our understanding of the world, and creates fruitful learning opportunities for organisations and individuals participating in EMME.
Creating dialogue platforms for different stakeholders now constitutes an important part of the role of science centres and museums. The challenges we are facing – climate change, food, health, water, respect of human rights – calls for people of different horizons to speak to each other, particularly when their opinions diverge. Science, – its rational process, the solutions it can bring, the sharing of information that technology allows, – can be a powerful approach to foster openness, acceptance and resilience. Another important role of science centres and museums is to provide men and women, boys and girls, with 21st century skills: critical-thinking, creativity, scientific rigour, digital literacy, team working; competencies which citizens need in order to be active in their society. Informal learning settings such as science centres and museums are agile enough to grasp, react and offer access to these new competencies.
I hope that EMME 2017 will give you the competencies that will allow you to deploy the full potential of a science centre, a science museum or of any organisation that connects people to science and technology. I would like to thank the members of Ecsite and NAMES, that voluntarily offer to share their expertise at EMME, and particularly Città della Scienza for coordinating what we think will be a stimulating EMME week. We would like to believe that EMME will contribute to a peaceful world where people and nature of all diversities are valued, preserved, cherished. And we hope that you as participants, will be empowered to actively work for a safe, respectful , open and progressive society.
Catherine Franche, Ecsite