The IEEC and the City of Sant Cugat sign a collaboration agreement for the Sant Cugat Forum on Astrophysics

2013-03-21 00:00:00

Sant Cugat 21.03.2013 Yesterday, the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and the City of Sant Cugat signed a cooperation agreement, establishing the town of Sant Cugat del Valles as the permanent host of the “Sant Cugat Forum on Astrophysics,” a prestigious international scientific conference that brings together more than 100 researchers from around the world.

The mayor, Mercè Conesa, and Jordi Isern, director of the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), have signed a collaboration agreement to carry on with the astrophysics forum, a forum that will hold its third edition in 2014. Its worthy to notice that there are only six forums like this worlwide and, at a European level, only two, with one being hosted in Sant Cugat.

The first edition of the Forum took place in 2010, which had a great impact on the Sant Cugat society since over 400 residents from the city attended the opening public outreach lecture given by the famous astronomer Jocelyn Bell, who was the discovered the pulsars.

During the ceremony of signatures, Mercè Conesa has made a commitment to promote the talent of Sant Cugat: “it is necessary that the administrations facilitate the conditions so cities and its residents can help in the advancement of the municipalities”. On another hand, Jordi Isern, director of the IEEC, mentioned that “, the Astrophysics Forum, in collaboration with the City of Sant Cugat, is a excellent showcase for attracting talented scientists and top researchers.”

The case of the Astrophysics Forum is exemplary: it is an initiative promoted by Diego F. Torres, an ICREA professor, researcher of the IEEC and resident of Sant Cugat, who has chosen to celebrate this event in his city.

Through this agreement, the City will support the organization of the Forum, which, in turn, will promote and carry out outreach activities to narrow the gap between astrophysics and the public and awaken scientific vocations among young generations. Moreover, in 2013, year in which the forum is not celebrated, an exhibition entitled “From Earth to the Universe”, has been organized, which is aimed at the public in general and schools that want to participate in a more specialized activity. The exhibition will take place from April 16 to 28th at the Casa de Cultura.

The IEEC in the news – EUROPAPRESS news on the collaboration agreement

Exhibition

De la Terra a l’Univers: la bellesa de l’Evolució del Cosmos
Place: Casa de Cultura de Sant Cugat del Vallès
Date: 16 al 28 d’abril
Free Entrance
Address: C. Castellví, 8
(Jardins del Monestir)
08172 Sant Cugat