OPENING CEREMONY

The World Conference of Science Journalists 2019 will open its doors with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the SwissTech Conference Center (STCC). With artistic performances and welcoming words from high-level decision makers and scientists, the ceremony will provide much food for thought.

 

A panel of distinguished CEOs, Editors in Chief and Executive Directors of various media outlets from around the world will discuss the place science and science journalism should have in the current mainstream media, from digital and print to radio, and from television to media-players. This debate will be moderated by Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize Winner and Director of the Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Programme at MIT. Participants will include Jérôme Fenoglio, Editorial Director of Le Monde, France; Nathalie Wappler, incoming Director of the Swiss public broadcaster, SRF’s German language channels; Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of Ventures Africa Magazine, Nigeria and CEO of The Africa Center; Francesca Unsworth, head of news at the BBC, and Monika Bauerlein, CEO of MotherJones magazine (USA).

Welcoming words and insightful speeches will be given by important actors in the field of science, technology, journalism and policy making. These include Simonetta Sommaruga, vice-president of the Federal Council; Frédérique Vidal, French minister for higher education, research and innovation; Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research&Innovation; Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL; Nouria Hernandez, Rector of the University of Lausanne; and Marc Walder, Founder of digitalswitzerland and CEO of the Ringier media group.

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Musical interludes and surprising artistic performances will enrich the programme, which will come to a close with a cocktail for all participants at the STCC. This first social event of WCSJ2019 is presented in collaboration with and with the financial support of Presence Switzerland, Digital Switzerland and the City of Lausanne.

WELCOME RECEPTION: SPORT MEETS INNOVATION AT THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM

Ever wanted to hold an Olympic torch? This might be as close as you’ll ever get. At the Olympic Museum, you can get close to the torches from every one of the modern games. You can relive your favorite moments on video, and discover the equipment of famous Olympic athletes. The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, home of the International Olympic Committee, will host all WCSJ2019 participants for a Welcome Reception on one of the most beautiful terraces overlooking Lake Geneva. This event will be sponsored by Johnson & Johnson (J&J).

 

The reception also features the announcement of the finalists and winner of the European Science Journalist of the Year 2019. This annual Award celebrates the work of a journalist who promotes excellence and creativity in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) journalism. The Association of British Science Writers coordinates the Award, with support from J&J Innovation. The Award will be presented by Seema Kumar, J&J’s Vice President of Innovation, Global Health and Policy Communication.

 

During the reception, participants will also have the chance to discover the products of cutting-edge start-ups active in the field of innovation and technology in sports that will have taken part in THE SPOT, an international event organized by ThinkSport, and taking place in May. Among these start-ups is GaitUp, which combines sensors, algorithms and biomechanics to provide world leading motion analysis (www.gaitup.com). Be.Care uses an innovative methodology based on algorithms that use heart rate variability as the starting point for assessing health status (www.becare.swiss). Gomixfit merges science, data and technology to deliver all the nutrients you need in the form of a daily drink, transforming personal nutrition from routine to real time (http://gomixfit.com). More start-ups will be added.

 

Welcome Reception, 2 July 2019, 7:00pm to 9:30pm - Olympic Museum, Quai d’Ouchy 1, Lausanne

Free entry only on presentation of your WCSJ2019 badge

Time: Museum open from 18:00, Official opening of the reception: 19:20

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This event is sponsored by

FAREWELL EVENING IN GRANDVAUX

Right in the heart of the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site of Lavaux, the largest contiguous wine-making region in Switzerland, the entire village of Grandvaux with its wine cellars, village squares, backyards, nooks and crannies, has been reserved for our farewell evening. The wine makers’ cooperative will welcome conference participants with wine and local food specialities. The village band will be playing, there will be alphorns and yodelling, along with jazz and street music. On the stage of the local inn an improvisational theatre group will present the performance they will have been rehearsing through the week. And to top it all, we will celebrate 100 years of underground drinking with all kinds of wine and liquor hacks: we have invited start-ups from the molecular spirits scene along with prohibition historians with some very practical skills. Our prohibition special will teach you how to reverse engineer liquors, age whisky in days or turn medical alcohol into delicious rum. And you’ll get to taste the results, of course! In collaboration with Endless West, Chimiscope (University Geneva) and Solutionsbüro.

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Practical information: Transport is by bus from the STCC, meeting on the esplanade in front of the main entrance straight after the Closing ceremony at 18:00. If you miss the last bus, you can come by train (please check: www.cff.ch). On arrival in Grandvaux you will be handed a map of the village showing where to find food and fun. Transport will deliver you back to Lausanne Main Station, with the first bus leaving at 21:30 and the last at 23:00. The Metro will then get you back to your hotel. If you’ve still got some energy, you can party the night away at the MAD Club in Lausanne, entry is free with your conference badge.

THE GENEVA COCKTAIL PARTY

On the evening of 5 July, a prestigious cocktail party will bring to a close the WCSJ2019 field trips to Geneva. Participants will gather at Campus Biotech, a centre of excellence in Biotechnology and Life Science research in the Lake Geneva region. The centre is located in the international city of Geneva, host of several international organisations, NGOs and headquarters of multinational companies. The party will bring together participants of the Bertarelli neuroscience symposium and the delegates from WCSJ2019 who chose to register. An artistic extravaganza will use the impressive architecture of the Campus’s building as a backdrop for no fewer than 40 street artists. 

After a few words of welcome by the event’s hosts, a cocktail manufactured with local products will be served, providing an opportunity for participants to network with representatives of the most important scientific institutions of the region, including the University and University Hospital of Geneva (UNIGE and HUG), CERN and the WHO as well as political representatives of the City and State of Geneva. There will be a bus service between Lausanne and Geneva for those who do not take part in one of the Geneva-based field trips. 

 

Note: As this is our last evening, delegates might either part from Geneva Airport after the cocktail or consider spending their last night in a hotel in Geneva. There will be a bus for those electing to stay in Lausanne.

THE SOCIAL HUB AT THE HAUTE ECOLE DE MUSIQUE

From Monday to Wednesday, the Haute Ecole de Musique (HEMU) will open its doors to conference participants each night. In collaboration with NIFFF (Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival), the HEMU will become a Mad Scientists' Lab. Drinks around scientific topics will be served especially for the WCSJ2019. HEMU music students will play short late night sets. The venue right in the center of Lausanne will turn into a place for an early aperitif or a late drink, a meeting point and casual hub. On Wednesday night a special event programme mixing arts and science, curated together with the NIFFF team, will celebrate mad maverick minds.

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Monday, July 1, 21:00-01:00

• Concert: Neptune Quartet 22.00

• Scientific cocktails, sonic maturation for cheese and drinks, hangover research centre.

• Special guests: Unistellar (smart telescopes)

 

Tuesday, July 2, 21:00-01:00

• Concert: Sugar Swing 22.30

• Scientific cocktails, sonic maturation for cheese and drinks, hangover research centre.

• Special guests: Endless West (makers of molecular spirits) and Unistellar (smart telescopes)

 

Wednesday, July 3, 18:00-01:00

• Concert: Paul Marsigny 20.30

• Cinema Concert: 22.00

• Mad Scientists' Lab special in collaboration with NIFFF (Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival).

• Scientific cocktails, sonic maturation for cheese and drinks, hangover research centre.

• Special guests: Endless West (makers of molecular spirits)