Café Scientifique provides a unique forum for the discussion of topical and thought provoking scientific issues. It encourages debate amongst a mainly non-scientific audience in a way that is much more relaxed, informal and accessible than a public lecture.
Café Scientifique events tackle a wide range of issues relating to science, technology and society. The events are accessible to members of the general public or to an invited audience and no scientific background is necessary - just an interest in the topic for discussion. In contrast to a formal lecture, the informal café/bar setting encourages people of various backgrounds and disciplines to take part.
The third Café Scientifique event in Azerbaijan took place on 22 November 2006 and focused on Climate Change. 20 participants from Azerbaijan discussed perspectives, opportunities and experience of business involvement into Climate Change problems with their counterparts from Turkey and UK. The key speaker from the UK was Clive Keble - Chief Officer of the National Forest organisation.
Our second event gathered 25 Azerbaijani participants, representing universities, schools and mass media together with their counterparts from Bulgaria on 17 February 2006. This time the session was devoted to Robotics with such subtopics as Robots and Society, Practical applications, Artificial Intelligence and Cyborgs.
The key speaker from the UK was Kevin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading, where he carries out research in artificial intelligence, control, robotics and biomedical engineering. During the session he showed a range of extremely interesting movies reflecting his main research in artificial intelligence.
The topic of our first ever discussion in Azerbaijan was "Perspectives, Opportunities and Experiences of Business Involvement in Mitigating Climate Change". 30 Azeri participants representing business, NGOs, universities and schools came together with their counterparts from the UK and Turkey in a videoconferencing session on 16 December 2005.
This event was a part of our British Science Week from 16-21 December 2005. Other events included the Second National Robotics Tournament and workshops by a British trainer on Physics and Space Science.
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