"Life Everywhere", the theme of the 2017 Ecsite Annual Conference, is a celebration of life, a celebration of the extraordinary diversity of forms that have evolved in our planet for millions of years, a celebration of our existence. It also calls for the exploration of hot topics and pressing global challenges.
How is science engagement enlivening communities and sowing the seeds of global citizenship? What innovations are occurring in the “wild west” of our professional community? How can knowledge, art and culture drive us in the quest for life everywhere?

As Carlos Alves Catalão, Board member and Co-host of the 2017 Ecsite Annual Conference puts it in his latest column in the Spokes magazine:

“Life everywhere”, the theme of this years’ conference, is not just about biodiversity, but also about human lives and living everywhere, about the free circulation of people and ideas – and the city of Porto is particularly symbolic in this regard. It is a port, a harbour, a place to both start a journey and welcome people from all walks of life.

You will find in the city of Porto the ideal location to celebrate the core values of Ecsite, particularly the values of inclusiveness and cooperation. As you well know, Ecsite is committed to including everyone as a participant regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, ethnicity, ability or political affiliation. In a time when free circulation and inclusiveness are increasingly under threat it is of utmost importance that we all gather around these values. And, as you will see, even the venue of the conference has a powerful meaning for their celebration.

The Alfândega Porto Congress Centre, a shipping dock by the Douro River, is a historical building: the old customs of Porto, an institution originally designed to control and tax the circulation of people and goods. It was totally repurposed by one of our best architects, Souto Moura, and is currently a place to unify people around the free discussion of ideas. It is also the host of the Museum of Transport and Communications, another strong metaphor of free circulation and cooperation. Indeed, we could not have chosen a better place to inspire our main theme: Life Everywhere.