The Eurometropolis of Metz is a major partner of the Science & You 2021 event, we spoke with Marc Sciamanna, Vice-President for Higher Education, Research and Student Life.
The Science & You colloquium is set to be held at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre in Metz. What issues are involved in a partnership between the Eurometropolis and the University of Lorraine around Science & You?
The Eurometropolis of Metz has lent its support to University of Lorraine projects ever since it was created ten years ago. Such projects include innovative training programmes, ambitious research projects, and, as is the case here, an event that combines questions of scientific culture, promotion of knowledge among the public at large, and international standing. Through its programme and list of partners, Science & You demonstrates the commitment that the University of Lorraine, our Grandes Ecoles, laboratories and research and technology centres have to ensuring that science is accessible to as many people as possible, and fosters an interest in taking up scientific careers, in particular among our young generations. The community is naturally involved in such social issues.
What role does a metropolis play with regard to its territory’s cultural and scientific actors?
In addition to its role of supporting the development of such actors’ projects, a metropolis is above all useful when it fosters contacts between actors in higher education and student life. In a highly competitive landscape, in which attractiveness and emergence of talents, in scientific subjects in particular, are major concerns, a metropolis’ success is measured by the quality and quantity of such collaborative projects. The question of science for all is also of key importance to the success of public policies, as it concerns policies on education, neighbourhoods, economic development and sustainable development among others.
In the current health crisis, citizens’ trust in scientists sometimes seems to be called into question. What initiatives do you support in the fields of education in science and critical thinking?
The Eurometropolis of Metz lends its support to numerous events and actions dedicated to scientific and technological culture. There’s our support to the Maison pour la Science for example, along with a great many community projects such as the one implemented by the Metz Racing Team, which aims to get students, technical staff, engineers and the general public working together around automobiles. The question of the relationship with science is a constant focus in our public policies, and, depending on the subjects concerned, we call upon expert opinion in order to inform our decisions. A recent example is 5G, a technology that has led to requests that local authorities install new antennas. It’s a subject that arouses a good deal of passion, which needs to be confronted with scientific truth. That’s what the City of Metz and the Eurometropolis of Metz have done by creating working groups made up of elected officials, technical services and experts. We’ve done it for 5G, but there are many other scientific questions that need to be addressed –on the energy transition for example, and the importance of such renewable energies as hydrogen and solar energy.