Do we expect too much from science?

The role of science in the necessary transformation of our societies is getting more and more important and due to the climate crisis, the urgency of actions is constantly rising. The need for new efficient tools is obvious. Science can deliver them. But what does this mean for democratic organized societies?

The Embassies of Germany and France and the Austrian Cultural Forum in Poland organized a seminar on 11 January 2024, Warsaw at 13:30:

„Together for sustainability: Do we expect too much from science?“

It is taking place under the patronage of the Polish Academy of Sciences and with participation of the Natural History Museum, Berlin.

Participants of seminar „Together for Sustainability“ conclude: we can expect much more from science!

The world's ecosystems are at their limit. People urgently need to live more sustainably. Science offers many solutions. Nevertheless, we are not moving fast enough to implement them. More than 100 scientists, students and representatives from civil society and business discussed whether „We expect too much from science“ at the „Together for Sustainability“ seminar in Warsaw on January 11, 2024. You can find the results here

In Warsaw the German and French Embassies as well as the Polish Ministry of Science met together at the conference. The Polish Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum Berlin acted as patrons. The Austrian Cultural Forum Warsaw was partner.

Following the kick-off in Warsaw related events are planned in Berlin and Paris, the capitals of the Weimar Triangle. More information about these seminars will be published here in the future.

Agenda

Venue: German Embassy, Jazdów 12, Warsaw

13:30 Registration, welcome coffee

14:00 Welcome

• Viktor Elbling, Ambassador of Germany
• Étienne de Poncins, Ambassador of France
• dr hab. Andrzej Szeptycki, prof. UW, Under Secretary of State, Ministry for Science of Poland

14:15 Keynote speakers

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcin Hinz, Hochschule München
• dr Łukasz Lamża, Uniwersytet Jagielloński

14:35 Coffe break

14:45 Smart cities: digitalization, energy transition, climate adaption, new transport, affordable housing, food security, etc. – discussion in working groups

Short introduction from workshop facilitators, participants select their workshop

Venues:

German Embassy, Jazdów 12, Warsaw
French Embassy, Piękna 1, Warsaw
School no. 12, Górnośląska 45, Warsaw

15:45 AI and Smart Cities – discussion in working groups

Venue: German Embassy, Jazdów 12, Warsaw

16:45 Coffee break

17:15 Fishbowl-discussion: Get it done! Do we only have to listen to science?

Presentation of results and discussion with

• Facilitator:
  Thierry Deschaux, Executive Director – EDF Representation in Poland
• dr Michał Czepkiewicz, Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza
• dr Łukasz Lamża, Uniwerytet Jagielloński
• dr hab. Alicja Wieczorkowska, Polsko-Japońska Akademia Technik Komputerowych
• dr Christian Reichel, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

18:30 Closing remarks and reception

Networking reception with research organizations and companies