Around 600 people attended the March for Science Brussels on 22 April, including researchers from many Belgian universities. The key messages were ‘facts matter’ and ‘science is global’. They added their voices to the hundreds of thousands of people who marched in over 600 locations across the world.
A programme of speakers included the Belgian comedian Lieven Scheire, and the ex-IPCC vice chair Jean-Pascal van Ypersele.
Calum MacKichan, representing the MCAA, spoke about the international dimension of science. He emphasised the power of science to bring people of all cultures together in the pursuit of understanding the world around us. Science is an increasingly global community and barriers and borders will only hinder progress. He asked all international researchers based in Belgium to join him for a group photo to celebrate the country’s community of mobile researchers. As you can see, many stepped forward!
In a bid to promote and improve research and innovation in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines, in partnership with EURAXESS ASEAN, conducted a seminar on ‘Strengthening the Philippines-EU Partnership in Research' in Metro Manila, Philippines, on 26 April. Jenny Lind Elmaco was behind the organisation of the seminar and told us all about it.
Heads of research as well as professors and practitioners from the fields ranging from law to international relations, to environment, governance, communications and education, were in attendance.
The event was moderated by Dr Jenny Elmaco, Marie Curie Fellow specialised in sustainable peacebuilding. Dr Elmaco hoped that the event would become a springboard for future gatherings, promoting a strengthened, evidence-based agenda in the country. She also looked forward to a renewed focus on inquiry and scientific discoveries.
What was planned as an intimate gathering became a platform for exchange and collaboration among a diverse group of research experts
based in the Philippines.
Rowena Daroy-Morales, Director of the Office of Legal Aid (OLA), opened the event with a lecture on the intersections between law, research and social justice. Professor Salma Rasul from the Philippines Center for Islam and Democracy highlighted the important role that European research collaboration can play in improving the lives not only of Filipinos, but of people across South-east Asia. Simon Grimley, EURAXESS ASEAN Regional Representative, gave a rich presentation on the different funding and fellowship opportunities available to researchers in the Philippines, including the MSCA, Newton Fund, and the Southeast Europe Joint Funding Scheme for Research and Innovation.
