Released on 1 March 2007

AUSTRALIA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE JOURNALISTS

Australia is to host a major conference for the global science media to focus on key world issues such as such as climate change, scientific fraud and nuclear energy.

Australia’s Minister for Science, Ms Julie Bishop, said the Australian Government has allocated $120,000 to fund the 5th World Conference of Science Journalists, to be held in Melbourne from 16-20 April 2007.

Ms Bishop, who would officially open the conference, said it was the first time the event was staged in Australia. “Science journalists play a very important role in raising the public’s awareness of scientific discoveries and events in our lives, through a range of media formats,” she said.

The conference organisers, the Australian Science Communicators expected some 400 delegates from Australia and overseas, would attend the four-day event. The organisers have also ensured that media from developing countries would be able to attend by providing funding for some 50 funded scholarships.

The conference delegates would be able to attend informative sessions on important contemporary issues in science, such as climate change, investigation scientific fraud, stem cell research, bio ethics and the nuclear issues. A session would also focus on anthropological issues such as the discovery in 2004 in Indonesia of the ‘hobbit people’, Homo Floresiensis.

Delegates will also have the unique opportunity to experience first-hand, Australian science by visiting research agencies and universities and meeting Australian scientists and researchers.

“I’m sure all the journalists attending the conference will benefit from sharing their ideas and different experiences, and I look forward to the outcomes from this worthwhile event.”

Canberra
28 February 2007