The EuroScience Open Forum, or ESOF 2020, is coming to Trieste, Italy, this week. And it will bring with it a long list of high-level speakers and a rich programme with fascinating scientific discussions. 

ESOF is a biennial forum that focuses on science, policy making and economics. It will take place in Trieste from 2 to 6 September, with a rich programme, a large variety of topics, and an assortment of high-level speakers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event organisers have also arranged for much of the event to be held virtually. Of the 150 events of the forum on the calendar, about 70 will be held virtually, another 70 in a hybrid of virtual and physical, and about 10 will be entirely in-person. Plenary meetings, as well as presentations by high level speakers, will be available through streaming. Registration is free for all accredited media correspondents and can be done here.

TWAS, alongside the numerous international science institutes, is one of several co-organisers of this year’s event in Trieste. The Academy will also participate in one of the forum’s high-profile events, called “Permanent Insecurity: A Science International strategy to support displaced and refugee scientists and science students.”

In this event, TWAS is one of the high-level global science organisations – including The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the International Science Council (ISC) – convened by Science International to address the challenges of address the needs of scientists displaced by war and other conflicts. Speakers will provide various points of view on the matter of displaced scientists and examine how to provide long-term support, while also welcoming input and raising awareness of the issue.

All events will be held in the Old Port of Trieste, particularly at Magazzino 27 and Magazzino 28, at the heart of the new Trieste Convention Center – TCC, the multifunctional congress center which will be inaugurated with ESOF. More information about the event, including a listing of high-level participants and its programme, can be found here.

Sean Treacy