ESOF STOCKHOLM

The first edition of ESOF (Euroscience Open Forum) took place in the City Conference Center of Stockholm, Sweden. During four enriching days, between 25 and 28 August 2004, more than 1800 participants, including nearly 250 speakers from 30 countries and 350 journalists, turned up to this biennial interdisciplinary forum. The Science in the City Festival, an outreach programme in streets, squares, theatres, museums, cafés and schools, attracted 11,000 people in Stockholm.

All the ingredients of the future ESOF editions were already there, from the start, in Stockholm.

Participants enjoyed two big exhibition halls in which they met many famous companies such as the scientific publication Nature, the aerospace company EADS, or the European Commission and many more key actors in the different scientific fields.

ESOF attendees had the choice between a large selection of themes covering all scientific disciplines. From the human brain to emerging technologies, fascinating topics were analysed and up to date questions were brought to the debate.

Participants also had the chance to participate in the Career Programme, the Science in the City Programme, and in Satellite events. They had fun with the Prof’mobile, which gave outside lectures. They also had the opportunity to attend two great social events, the President’s reception, and the reception at the Stockholm City Hall, that was completely free for ESOF registered participants.

To close the event and transfer the ESOF passion to the next organizing city, a transfer ceremony took place between Stockholm and Munich. This tradition perpetuates from one ESOF meeting to another, as a way of preserving ESOF’s unique spirit.

Prof. Carl Johan Sundberg was Champion for ESOF 2004.

In 2022, the city of Leiden in the Netherlands will be hosting the 10th edition of the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) and the European City of Science.