欧盟中国通讯 EU-China News
Science & Technology Week Shows Bright Future for EU-China Scientific Cooperation
A major conference at Shanghai Expo in June, as well as a whole week of related activities both inside and outside the Expo park, highlighted scientific discoveries and growing partnership between China and Europe.
With 500 leading scientists, journalists and representatives from industry, academic and government organizations converging recently in Shanghai, the European Union organized one of the most ambitious conferences for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, a four-day event aimed at promoting scientific cooperation and future research between the EU and China.
Held primarily at the European Union/Belgium joint pavilion at the Expo, “Science and Technology Week” highlighted collaborative efforts between the two regions, with discussions focused on a myriad of topics relevant to current challenges facing nations and future developments for world leaders, including urbanization, climate change, smart technologies and nuclear safety.
In addition to panel discussions, the EU also featured scientific-based events open to the public — including screening 16 movies for the European Union Science Film Festival, daily “science cafes” where visitors could enjoy talking with science professionals over a cup of coffee, and a laser show presented by Sweden’s Lund University — held outside the Expo Park in several locations around Shanghai.
“Why should science be showcased so predominantly at the EU pavilion and SAST [Shanghai Association for Science and Technology]? Because the science and technology cooperation between the EU and China is one of the most important working relationships right now,” said Patrick Vittet-Philippe, Press Officer for the Research Directorate General at the European Commission, during the opening press conference on June 10.
Much of the week’s discussions revolved around the future of urban centers, as experts debated possible solutions for subjects such as megacities and their effects on the environment, water treatment uses, energy-efficient housing, fusion technology, and electric cars, both from practical applications within cities, and legislative measures needed to be implemented when addressing long-term sustainability.
High-level officials attending the conferences agreed that despite major challenges facing citizens, scientific collaboration between the EU and China was essential to solving tomorrow’s problems.
“The Chinese Academy of Science is a strategic partner for the EU. We are gathered together to share our experiences, ideas and new frontiers; we hope to make a better future for all of us,” said Jose Manuel Silva Rodriguez, Director General for Research at the European Commission, during opening remarks. “The challenges are huge — climate, transportation, health. To meet these challenges, we must work together.”
For “Science and Technology Week”, the EU coordinated efforts to hold events both at the European Union/Belgium joint pavilion and the United Kingdom, France and Spain pavilions inside the Expo Park, as well as offsite events at the Shanghai Science Hall, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and Shanghai Exhibition Center.