Dear Ecsite members,
It has been my pleasure to serve as President of Ecsite since May 2021. Four years already! I would like to express my pride and appreciation for what we have achieved together. These past few years have been marked by both challenges and meaningful progress, and I am thankful to have shared this journey with such a committed community.
One of my key priorities during my two consecutive terms has been to increase Ecsite’s visibility, especially at the European level, and notably during EU council presidencies. As the network of European science centres and museums, we are uniquely positioned to advocate for causes that matter deeply to our field. And now we’ve got the data to support these efforts, thanks to the annual survey we’ve agreed upon with our sister network, ASTC.
Two causes that we have wished to highlight over my presidency have been the safeguarding of democracy and the promotion of sustainability. I was deeply moved by our members’ response to the war in Ukraine in 2022, a war on European soil. When called upon to support our Ukrainian colleagues - who, even during war, continued their work engaging the public with science - our community responded with generosity and solidarity. Exhibitions were donated, as well as educational resources, funding, and various forms of collaboration. In the face of tragedy, the strength of our network shone through. I would like to thank all members who donated as well as the Simons Foundation, whose gift in 2024 allowed for more donations and training opportunities to reach Ukraine.
To further this commitment to democratic values, in 2024, we developed the MEP Action Advocacy Pack. As the European elections approached, we saw a vital opportunity to ensure our sector was visible to newly elected MEPs. The pack was designed to support Ecsite members in advocating to national governments and European representatives, highlighting the crucial role of science centres, museums, and public engagement organisations in addressing societal challenges. With the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) on the horizon, this work lays a foundation for shaping future policy and funding priorities.
Conscious of our eminent responsibility, as science centres and museums, to promote sustainability as a priority, we framed the pioneering Ecsite Environmental Emergency Action, the first of its kind. This initiative included both a pledge and an action plan aimed at helping members implement change within their institutions. Since its launch in March 2023, 72 members have signed the pledge. It has been a pleasure to see the use of these resources and the genuine efforts made by member organisations to advance sustainability in every of their deeds. One of the positive-effects was that the European Commission identified us as relevant partners in this area.
This presidency was also framed by the effects of the pandemic and therefore, creating space to share experiences, discuss solutions, and look ahead together has been a challenge. In 2023, we expanded this vision by hosting our first International Directors Forum, welcoming 100 senior leaders from across the globe in Finland. Ongoing dialogues with national science networks, as well as regular exchanges with our sister networks - ASPAC, ASTC, NAMES, RedPOP and SAASTEC - have further deepened these connections and shown us that no matter where we are geographically located, we all share the guiding principle of engaging the public in science, we all share the same values of humanism which, whatever some may say, are genuinely universal.
Internally, we also took steps to strengthen our own community. From monthly letters addressed directly to members to the creation of a Members Onboarding and the CEO Focus at the Conference, we aimed to bring our own membership closer together through discussion and collaboration. During my mandate I wasn’t able to visit all of you, but I did meet a lot of Ecsite members. I travelled extensively (by train, preferably :)) all over Europe and took the time to talk to everyone who asked, I was able to witness the strength of our network, the strength of our commitment. Let’s be proud of it!
I would like to extend my warmest thanks to my dear fellow members of the Board who have supported our projects over the last four years. As you know, I have encouraged several of our female colleagues to take on responsibilities within our organisation. That's why I'm particularly pleased that a woman, Maria João Fonseca, will succeed me as President of Ecsite from 1 July. Felicitações! She has all the qualities required to take Ecsite even higher and even further. I am convinced that she too will be able to take concrete action to give life and substance to our strategy. I wish her every success. I would also like to congratulate those who have been elected or re-elected to the Board.
Finally, I would like to thank the Ecsite team, and in particular Catherine Franche, who heads it up. I know that she will use her talents with the same energy to lead the team and serve our members, supporting Maria João and the Board.
I would like to conclude by expressing my gratitude to you for trusting me to preside over the destiny of our unique network.
It has been a privileged moment in my professional life and in my life in general. See you soon in Warsaw!
Mark how one string, sweet husband to another,
Strikes each in each by mutual ordering,
Resembling sire, and child, and happy mother,
Who all in one, one pleasing note do sing:
Whose speechless song being many, seeming one,
Sings this to thee: “Thou single wilt prove none”
- William Shakespeare, Sonnets, 1609
Warmest regards,
Bruno