Dublin's bid to host European City of Science 2012

Euroscience, Strasbourg, France, Monday 22 September, 2008

Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Jimmy Devins, TD are today, (22^nd September 2008), in Strasbourg, France to submit Dublin's proposal to host Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) 2012. Ireland's delegation was warmly received by Euroscience's Secretary-General, Dr Raymond Seltz and the Deputy-Mayor of Strasbourg, Ms Nawel Rafik-Elmrini. Following a visit to the Town Hall and a hand-over ceremony at Euroscience's offices, where Dr Devins and Mayor Byrne also became the first Minister and Mayor in Europe to join Euroscience, the delegation was welcomed at the European Science Foundation by Chief Executive, Prof. Marja Makarow.

Local commitment

The local commitmentto deliver ESOF 2012 Dublin to the highest standards of organisation and impact is exceptional. The Irish Government has endorsed the bid and committed significant financial support. The City of Dublin, through its Mayor and Council, is totally engaged. The business and industrial sector is fully on-board, and to date, 80 leading companies have signed up as supporters. The academic and scientific community, through its universities, organisations, and particularly the Royal Irish Academy, is fully engaged. The grass-roots of Dublin life, through its tourist operators, museums, and transport bodies have been fully involved.

International support

The proposal to host ESOF 2012 in Dublin has widespread support across the world. Dublin is proud to announce the support of 18 eminent European and international Nobel Laureates, scientists, politicians, captains of industry and public figures drawn from 12 countries - Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, India, Ireland, Poland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA. Under the Chairmanship of Ms Mary Robinson, these Patrons have been carefully selected on the basis of their combined backgrounds and expertise in order to reflect and support, as closely as possible, the planned themes of the conference. For her part, Ms Robinson has stressed the importance of promoting the role of women in science.

Minister Devins said, "Throughout this process there has been what can only be described as a carrier wave of enthusiasm by all concerned. I am struck with admiration at how the Steering Committee is so united in their commitment to act as Ambassadors for Dublin and Ireland. They bring not only the specific perspective of their own organisations, but are enthusiastically pursuing the broader aims and ambitions of Euroscience in a way that has transcended the proposal. The Government gives this bid its total commitment while fully endorsing the grass-roots approach to the ultimate organisation of the event".

Minister Devins added, ''A successful bid will provide a timely platform to showcase the best of science and research being carried out here across all disciplines, whether it is led by indigenous or international partners. We will, at that stage, be towards the end of our massive National Development Programme investment in R&D with a spotlight on dividends in terms of infrastructure and human capital, innovation and commercialisation. As a gateway to the world, we will also be able to draw on an unrivalled network of international experts to help Euroscience take ESOF to the next level. It is also a unique opportunity at home to promote the value of investing in science with true consequences for the daily life of the citizen, while showcasing modern Dublin to our European and international partners”.

The Lord Mayor said, “It would be a wonderful achievement for Dublin to become European City of Science 2012. It would encourage young people to engage with science in the city and see how vibrant it is and it would also confirm our global leader status in pioneering cutting-edge Research and Development. It would also provide an opportunity to further strengthen our existing links with the world's biggest names in innovation who are already based here; Google, Intel, Microsoft and Wyeth. I hope the selection panel will be impressed by our facilities and the scientific and technological achievements that are happening in Dublin right now”.

Representing the Steering Committee and proposed as the Champion of ESOF 2012 Dublin, Chief Scientific Adviser, Prof. Patrick Cunningham commented, "We have left no stone unturned and everything is falling into place. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves but we genuinely believe that this is a winning bid. The heart of ESOF 2012 Dublin will be its innovative scientific programme. We have no no-go areas. While being utterly serious about science, our event philosophy is one of science serving society. We have also given much thought to constructing parallel public outreach, media and marketing, and business and careers programmes that will bring the impact of ESOF 2012 to a new level, in Dublin, throughout Europe and to the world at large."

Prof. Cunningham added, "We are fully aware that Vienna has a lot to offer but we are equally confident that if our proposal is judged on its merits then we believe that we have an excellent chance. We have built up so much momentum and good will from our promotional events held in Brussels, Barcelona and Dublin that we must see it through to a successful conclusion in Stuttgart. But you never know. These things can be something of a lottery but we are looking forward to going toe to toe with Vienna. There is no Plan B."

Euroscience Secretary-General, Dr Raymond Seltz expressed his gratitude at Dublin's enthusiasm and commitment, "This is the first time that a proposal has been submitted in person at the highest political level. We are thrilled that Minister Devins and Mayor Byrne have become Euroscience members today and welcome all Irish science stakeholders, at home or abroad, to follow their example. I saw myself in Barcelona how hungry the Dublin team is to secure ESOF 2012. We are delighted to have such strong candidates and it is always such a difficult decision to make. It's not going to be easy but on behalf of Euroscience, we certainly look forward to examining your proposal and are excited at the prospect of coming to Dublin in 2012."