Ciência Viva: 30 years of legacy and vision for the future
Today, 1 July, Ciência Viva – the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture – is celebrating its 30th anniversary!
Access to scientific knowledge, the ability to understand it and to incorporate it into everyday life is a prerequisite for human dignity. It was with this conviction that, in 1996, under the visionary leadership of José Mariano Gago, Ciência Viva was founded: an agency dedicated to bringing science and technology closer to schools, families, communities and the whole country. Thirty years on, the results are clear to see: concrete networks, such as the 22 Ciência Viva Centres, the 900 Ciência Viva School Clubs, and the emerging Ciência Viva Farms Network. Networks which, every day, across the country, open their doors to thousands of people and make it possible to experience, reflect on, think about and dream of science and technology for Portugal and for Europe.
A special mention goes to Rosalia Vargas, co-founder of Ciência Viva. It was she who, over the course of these three decades, led, built and consolidated the networks of knowledge that today reach every corner of Portugal.
That is why we want to celebrate, in particular, those who have stood by our side throughout these 30 years. Join our Ciência Viva no Verão programme, featuring some unmissable highlights:
- Geração Ciência Festival in Constância – Astrofesta , from 17 to 19 July, at the Constância Ciência Viva Centre – Astronomy Park;
- Geração Ciência Festival in Lisbon , from 24 to 25 July, at the Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva Centre, in collaboration with the European Research Council;
- Geração Ciência Festival in Bragança , from 10 to 12 August, with a special focus on 12 August, the day of the solar eclipse – a phenomenon that will not be seen again in Portugal for some time.
We live in times when technology is reshaping our lives, communication and decision-making. Times in which climate change is already a reality. Times in which misinformation competes, on an equal footing, with scientific knowledge for people’s attention and convictions. It is precisely in these times that Ciência Viva reaffirms its mission: to bring science closer to people, to inspire curiosity, to promote knowledge and to engage society in building a more informed and sustainable future.
Join us in our celebrations. Our thanks go to all the organisations that have been our partners over the past 30 years, and to everyone who explores science with us every day. Long live science!
Pedro Russo
President of Ciência Viva
