Science in the City 2020 announces call for proposals

Science in the City 2020 launched its call for proposals for creatives to bring the theme “Engage, Empower, Enable” to life by engaging citizens innovatively and creatively, according to a press statement sent to Business Malta.

Organisers of the festival are seeking ideas that use research from Malta. Proposals can be submitted by 16 December, and will be used to compile the events of the Science in the City Festival 2020, scheduled for 25 September in Valletta. The festival takes place as part of the European Researchers’ Night, organised in 350 cities across Europe. Applications can be filed online.

The festival’s aim has been to engage people emotionally and intellectually through science and the arts for the past nine years, organisers say.

The festival also aims to continue introducing the trend of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) among researchers, involving citizens in the whole research and innovation process.

“RRI is about bringing industry, government, citizens, NGOs and researchers together to address the issues and needs of society,” said festival coordinator Edward Duca. “For this to be adopted, we need to develop better critical thinking skills across the board. These skills make reflected and intentional change possible. This is true in whatever domain it takes place, from the arts and science to politics and ethics,” Mr Duca added.

“Traditionally, schools have focused on teaching how to retain facts and figures. Today, we have all the facts we can ever think of at our fingertips. What we really need for our collective growth and future survival is to take those facts and figures and analyse them, while being creative and innovative. Expanding our knowledge through research, then taking that research and innovation and helping them infiltrate and enhance our economy and society. This is why the 2020 Festival’s theme is Engage, Empower, Enable,” according to Mr Duca.

“Our society needs to make critical, well-informed decisions if it is to grow and prosper,” said Karen Fiorini, Manager of Science in the City. “If we succeed in getting society to think independently, we’ve given them a gift for life,” she added.