Science centre world leaders will be getting together on 15-17 November in Tokyo for the 2017 Science Centre World Summit, hosted by Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

The early bird rate ends on 15 July. Register now.

Every third year, decision-makers of the science centre field get together for an international summit. The last Summit took place in Belgium at Technopolis® in 2014 and resulted in the Mechelen Declaration which is the action plan for the international science centre field and their partners commit to concrete actions toward the enhancement of public engagement for a better world. The second Summit will be held in Japan and will bring together science centre leaders from around the world to work on the next steps in the implementation of the Mechelen declaration.Former Ecsite Presidents Robert Firmhofer and Rosalia Vargas as well as Ecsite Executive Director Catherine Franche sit on the event's International Planning Committee (or IPC). The 2017 edition’s theme is “Connecting the World for a Sustainable Future” and builds on the Japanese concept of “tsunagari”, or “links”.

"I flew twice in a space shuttle, and viewing our beautiful blue Earth from orbit reminded me of the Japanese word TSUNAGARI" explains Mamuro Mohri Host of the 2017 Science Centre World Summit and Chief Executive Director of the Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation Miraikan. "TSUNAGARI means “connection” in general and has equivalent meanings to “linkage,” “bridge,” “network” or “relationship”. Humanity’s future is contingent on the links (TSUNAGARI) between humans and our Planet of Life. We can also find relations (TSUNAGARI) between diverse life forms within the Earth’s ecosystem and human beings."