CERN is one of the largest and most prestigious scientific laboratories in the world. Its mission is to identify and analyse elementary particles of matter and the physical laws of the universe. With transparency and accountability as its values, CERN is working towards peaceful scientific collaboration in the interest of the common good. As the birthplace of the world wide web which revolutionised global communication, it systematically makes the results of its experimental and theoretical work accessible to the public in the spirit of general interest.
Over 16,000 scientists from 110 different nations work together at CERN, irrespective of religious and political opinion, setting a model for peaceful worldwide scientific cooperation.
It is through this outstanding scientific and multicultural environment that the CERN & Society Foundation is striving to promote the spirit of scientific curiosity to serve the greatest number of people.
Through the organisation of public events, the CERN & Society Foundation helps to stimulate reflection on the role of science and technology in society and its importance for the governance of tomorrow.
TEDxCERN is replaced by SPARKS! Serendipity Forum, a forum coupled with a series of public events on topics such as future intelligence and ethics aimed at creating a platform to discuss science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics that are relevant to society and contribute to CERN’s mission of science for peace.
- 2020 – Sparks Launch
Sep/Dec – publish website, articles on CERN homepage, posts on CERN social media and online event - 2021 – Future Intelligence
Feb – social media/article with info and pre-compiled teaser video clips with focus on the CERN AI community
Mar-Oct – Monthly pre-compiled teaser video clips/interviews of each of the 7 topics covering all confirmed participants
Oct/Nov – Forum + Public Event
SPARKS Forum at CERN gathers eminent scientists to debate on topics relevant to society and CERN's mission of science for peace.
The CERN & Society Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation, organised under Swiss law, and pursuing public benefit.
The purpose of the Foundation is to support and promote the dissemination, for the broadest public interest, of the benefits of the mission of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, through education & outreach, innovation & knowledge exchange, and culture & the arts; and to support and promote the operation of the Globe of Science and Innovation, notably through its use as a venue for scientific exhibitions, conferences, meetings and debates open to the general public.
The Foundation operates nationally and internationally to pursue this mission.