The European Commission, in association with a number of professional media and science organisations, is launching an innovative web portal designed for audiovisual and scientific communities in Europe, to support their work in promoting and communicating about science.
Functions of this new platform include an electronic library of science programmes, an online agenda of key events, a European science news service and a forum for co-productions and partnerships.
Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research said “Most European citizens get their information from television, including on science and research issues. We need to make sure that the information available is of the highest possible quality. AthenaWeb is an innovative response to some of the problems faced when communicating about science and technology.”
Developed in close partnership with communication and science professionals, this pilot project consists of a web-based service with a number of innovative functions. These include:
*A fully searchable, multilingual electronic library of science programmes
*A European science news service, constantly updated with information from a range of sources
*Online screening in medium or high definition
*New types of contract for the negotiation, sale or exchange of material
*Background dossiers on important science and research themes
*An online agenda of important events across Europe
*A forum/marketplace for co-productions and partnerships.
All of these functions have been developed on the basis of needs identified by the science communication community, and seek to respond to the basic objectives of the project:
*Making the most of existing science programming
*Supporting the development, production and distribution of new science programmes
*Facilitating co-productions
*Improving the visibility of science and research news
*Providing better networking opportunities for all those involved in science communication
The pilot project will be launched during a press conference at the “Salon de la Recherche et l’Innovation” in Paris on Saturday 4 June. From the launch, work will focus on building up the material available on the site, increasing the thematic range, attracting users and contributors and publicising the service.
For more information: www.athenaweb.org
