It all boils down to the Lisbon agenda, and the rush towards establishing in Europe a “learning economy” by promoting research and careers ancillary to it. Thus, every year in late September, a night is chosen to celebrate the work of Researchers in Europe, through events in many European cities which involve a wide range of scientific and research organisations – including museums, laboratories and academic institutions. All over Europe, a variety of entertaining and fun events are planned to run late into the night, with the chosen day of 2007 being 28 September. The aim of these activities is to give the public, and in particular young people, the opportunity to meet researchers within the context of festive and ‘fun’ activities and to highlight the appeal of pursuing a research career.

For the Occasion of the Europe Wide Researchers’ Night, Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit (FTZ) is organising several activities to improve the perception by the general public of Researchers in such a way that it is closer to reality. These activities will culminate on 28 September, when all over Europe similar activities will be taking place.

In a press conference held at the Hastings Gardens in Valletta, FTZ, together with Dr Joanna Drake, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, Mr Eric Flask from the Malta Councils for Science and Technology, and Dr Paul Borg Olivier, Mayor of Valletta, launched the “Researchers Night – Art Thou Researching?” project. The theme “Art thou Researching?” has been chosen for these activities because it allows these activities to bring to the fore the value of research for society by highlighting the technologies which make the very events possible and which can also be used very effectively in art. “Art can place the spotlight on research activities, while research may be essential for one to appreciate works of art,” said Mr Philip Serracino-Inglott, Project Manager of the Foundation. Mr Xuereb, Chief Executive Officer of the Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit, also emphasised the fact that this is the first time that Malta is participating in the events surrounding Researchers Night, and that the Foundation has managed to obtain the support from the Valletta Local Council, the MCST, the Forum Malta fl-Ewropa, the Manoel Theatre and the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity.

Mr Flask mentioned the National Research and Innovation Plan, launched by MCST this year, and stated the importance of promoting the work of researchers to the General Public and to improve and increase research in Malta, where we are unfortunately still lagging behind. Dr Paul Borg Olivier declared Valletta has a central role in this project since, in his own words “the city was founded as a research experiment in its innovative structure with regard to its architecture and engineering”.

Mr Serracino-Inglott pointed out that FTZ has already started the activities leading to Researchers’ Night. A Researcher has been meeting young people and school children to explain what the work of a researcher is and invite them to participate in the Art Competition connected to this event. The winners of this competition will be announced on 28 September, and will also take part in a competition at European level.

In continuation with the theme ‘Art Thou Researching?’ an art installation has been commissioned, which will be set up at the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity which centre has been central in making the event possible.

In the meantime a small survey on the view about researchers has been conducted, of which the results are being analysed. An online forum which will allow young people and researchers to interact freely about the career and lifestyle of researches will also soon be announced. This forum will also allow researchers from all fields to interact amongst themselves about the way they are perceived, and how to attract more young people to such a career choice.

A week before the Night itself (22 September) the first part of a two part treasure hunt shall be launched. The treasure hunt will see participants learning about, and visiting, the sites where research goes on in Malta, an exercise that, in the words of Mr Philip Serracino-Inglott, indirectly mimics the work of a researcher in his or her hunt for new facts and evidence. These events are being organised also with the help and support of the Manoel Theatre, which will host Dr Giuseppe Mantella, who will be giving a public lecture on the 27 September at Sala Isouard explaining the restoration process of the theatre.

On 28 September itself, there will be an exposition of local research results at St. James’ Cavalier Centre for Creativity, together with the best entries to the drawing competition will also be exhibited at St. James. To conclude the events, later in the evening a Party with live music will be held at Hastings garden.

Mr Serracino-Inglott also explained the choice behind the mascot for this project, Nosey The Ferret. The inspiration was the Maltese expression used for when something cannot be found – Lanqas issibha b’nemes – indicating that the ferret is the ultimate finding tool. “Ferrets are highly energetic and active; they are docile enough to be very amicable pets, yet ruthless against pests. These traits make Nosey, our ever enquiring friend, the ideal mascot for Researchers’ Night”, he concluded.

Finally, Dr Joanna Drake declared that Malta is becoming stronger in implementing innovative projects and that this was an example of one of them. She stated that Europe needs more research and that the Commission is taking more and more initiatives in this regard, as with the issue of the Code of Conduct and Charter of Researchers, the Mobility Portal of Researchers (the national portal is incidentally, manned and maintained by the Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit), which creates one thousand new jobs per month for researchers around Europe, and the ERA-More network.

She concluded that there are encouraging results in the area of research in Europe, and in Malta in particular, but that more still needs to be done. “Initiatives like these, however, are definitely a good start,” declared Mr Jesmond Xuereb.

The Researchers Night – Art Thou Researching? project is part financed by the European Commission through the 7th Framework Programme – People. For more information contact Mr Philip Serracino-Inglott on [email protected] or on 2340- 2189.

For more information on Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit, visit the website www. ftz.org.mt.