Fondazione IDIS – Città della Scienza will host the event “New Frontiers of Science Communication and the Social Role of Museums in the 21st Century,” sponsored as part of the European project SciCo+ High Professional Skills for Advanced Science Communication., coordinated by Città della Scienza in partnership with Trinity College, Navet Science Center, Ciencia Viva, Fondazione Mondo Digitale, Databenc, thePolytechnic University of Bucharest and theUniversity of Naples Federico II. The event is produced in collaboration with ICOM Italy and the Regional Coordinations of ICOM Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily.
The activities will take place over two days: on May 7 at theAula Magna of the Department of Social Sciences at the Federico II University, and will be aimed at students in the degree programs in Digital Cultures and Communication and Design, who will attend not only Michele Lanzinger’s keynote speech but also the speeches of lecturers Raffaele Savonardo, Rosanna Marino and Carla Langella.
TheMay 8 activities, tobe held at Città della Scienza, will feature researchers, museum professionals, representatives of cultural institutions and local businesses as the audience.
The initiative aims to explore crucial themes for the social role of museums such as the relationship between culture, health and well-being, that of sustainability and digital transition, questioning how they are at the heart of the mission of Italian and international museums today. A special focus will be devoted to the role of digital transition: through innovative tools and storytelling strategies, museums can break down geographical and physical barriers, making cultural institutions accessible and inclusive to a global audience.
The day anticipates International Museum Day 2025 – the theme of which is. “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.” – and will open at 9:30 a.m. with an experiential tour of Città della Scienza.
This will be followed by institutional greetings from Riccardo Villari, President of Fondazione IDIS – Città della Scienza, and Teresa Carnevale, Coordinator of ICOM Campania. Alessandra Drioli, Ambassador of Città della Scienza, will illustrate the ecosystem of the SCI-CO+ project for advanced science communication, while the project partners will present the prospects of international collaboration. Michele Lanzinger, President of ICOM Italy, will explore the role of science communication in the museums of the future in his keynote speech.
A tasting byAzienda Agricola Aita, Il Forno di Vincenzo and Azienda Agricola La Casa tra gli Ulivi is also planned to promote conviviality through the products of the Mediterranean Diet.
The morning will conclude with a participatory session by ICOM’s regional coordinators-Teresa Carnevale for Campania, Anna Cipparrone for Calabria and Basilicata, Elisa Monsellato for Puglia and Antonio di Lorenzo for Sicily-and the European partners of the SciCo+ project.
In addition to the events open to the public, both days will include guided tours aimed at the European partners of the SciCo+ project at the Royal Mineralogical Museum and at the Museum Center “Museums of Agricultural Sciences – MUSA at the Royal Palace of Portici.
The event provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the new challenges and opportunities facing museums in the 21st century, amid rapid social and technological change.