ReCoN-nect - The Green Deal: Research communication to CommuNities

ended

Societies underinvest in research either because it is a long term process and the results are not easily seen, either because of the complexity of this enterprise. This along with other difficulties weighs on the researchers who lack the will or power to get more engaged in the public life which further affects the trust in science and research. Breaking the vicious circle is a slow process and should be based on a genuine partnership between the researchers, as promoters of new findings about the world's true nature, the society as a whole, with its most stringent but also subtles needs, and the communication facilitators as a way to surface the unexpressed realities. The partnership, ReCoNnect-ing these different views, should be effective in educating the present citizens, but also shaping the teaching approaches for the members of the future society. This consortium is made up from 6 research institutes, 4 universities, 1 public body, and 2 civil community associations experienced in promoting science and STEM education, which supported the development of one of the largest educational networks in the country in connection also with EU programmes. Together, we propose a highly innovative concept of European Researchers' Night rooted in a long experience with the programme and well supported by the partner's institutions, which we will implement in a nationwide campaign comprising 21 events in representative urban areas. Three UNESCO/aspiring geoparks will organize events in rural areas, while others will be encouraged to participate remotely. Focusing the conversation, we tackle a topic of great interest for the European Union countries: The European Green Deal. We propose to map the current perceptions and expectations of the population on this programme by a large number of encounters with the public, and to better communicate on the endeavors and successes that Romanian researchers have in contributing to the very ambitious goals of the EU programme.