QF Participates in 8th World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ 2013) in Helsinki

Helsinki, June 26 (QNA) - Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is taking part in the 8th edition of the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ 2013) as a golden sponsor of the Conference which opened at the University of Helsinki in Finland on Monday More than 800 science journalists and communication professionals from 77 countries, including representatives of Qatari newspapers and Qatar News Agency (QNA), are attending the five-day conference. Qatar Foundation has set up a special pavilion at the exhibition accompanying the conference in which various supporters and participants are providing information to journalists about their areas of work especially aspects related to scientific research and modern technology. Qatar Foundation displays at its pavilion brochures, booklets and pamphlets about its most prominent activities in the field of advanced scientific research such as bio-medicine, computers, environment and renewable energy. Qatar Foundation Representatives are also providing briefings to scientific journalists on Qatar Foundation's mission and vision in general with a special focus on activities related to scientific research through its various centres and institutes working in the field of scientific research. The pavilion is witnessing daily turnout of journalists interested in the areas of research on which Qatar Foundation is focusing. The pavilion also provides pamphlets printed specifically for this conference entitled "News of Science and Technology" which contains news and information on the efforts made by the foundation to conduct advanced research and to sponsor many scientific researches through its Qatar National Research Fund. Display screens at the Pavilion of the Qatar Foundation also show news and some prominent scientific research-related milestones in the march of the Qatar Foundation. Qatar Foundation had successfully hosted the 7th edition of the Conference in 2011, which was attended by over 720 professionals from across the world. This year, Qatar carried on its commitment to WCSJ as one of its gold sponsors as well as a participant. Other countries represented at the fiveday Conference include Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Japan, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, the United States and a number of European states. The discussions on diverse topics and issues around science journalism highlight the year’s theme Critical Questioning in the Public Sphere. The opening plenary was graced by WCSJ 2013 and Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists (Fasej) President Satu Lipponen. In her lecture, she underlined the importance of freedom of expression in realising more meaningful science journalism. "Journalism is a political movement based on the idea of free expression of opinions. It is rather a romantic thought, fully endorsed by democracies as a value base. But can we never be really free to express ourselves? Perhaps not, because freedom comes with responsibilities worldwide", said Lipponen. "This is what we cherish in our professional training. Without ethical code a journalist is just anyone else- with the ability to express himself/herself in an attractive manner," she added. Other speakers were Ulla- Maija Forsberg, Interim Rector at the University of Helsinki and Ritta Maijala, Director of Ministry of Education and Culture and World Federation of Science Journalists President Vesa Niinikangas. WCSJ 2013 Project Manager Mintu Hilden announced the Norwergian Academy for Science and Letters scholarship grant programme open to science journalists across the globe. The topics to be explored during the Conference include the future of the growing field of professional science blogging, the landscape of science journalism, science communication worldwide and the science media ecosystem among others. The conference will conclude on Friday. (QNA)