EuroSciences Presentation held on April 22nd, 1997 in AstroLAB IRIS, Belgium

EuroSciences Organisation founded in 1992 Acts as an international organisation (v.z.w.) Participants:Town Capelle-la-Grande (F) Astronomical Contact Groep vzw (B) Goals: Scientific/Technical Tourism Region: Coast - Ypres - Duinkerque - Lille Domains of Co-operation: Scientific/Technical Programs Training activities Information Exchange

EuroSciences: Presentation of the Partners anno 1991 France: Town Capelle-la-Grande Planetarium with visitors/year Small exhibition room Belgium: Astronomical Contact Groep vzw Scientific/Technical Library Computerklub “Kompurama” Public sessions in the observatory European astronomical magazine “europe & astronomy”

EuroSciences: Domains of Co-operation “Scientific/Technical Toerism” Bilingual exhibitions Common promotional actions: Brochures - Posters - Mailings - Press Organisation of Special Events Work-out of a whole network of educational places of interest

EuroSciences: Domains of Co-operation “Training Activities” Courses: Optics, Astronomy, Electronic Image Processing, Photography,... Common Observation Sessions (via Astronord) Management Training

EuroSciences: Domains of Co-operation “Information Exchange” Meetings on a regular basis to inform each other about the ongoing activities: with the town Capelle-la- Grande with Astronord Exchange of books between the two scientific/technical libraries: of the Planetarium of the A.C.G. vzw

Astro-Toerist Project “De Palingbeek” - Belgium Ieper Located in the nature reserve “De Palingbeek” of the Province West-Vlaanderen Project is managed on a daily basis by the executive committee of the A.C.G. vzw Facilities:  2 Observatories  Cyberroom “The Universe”  Optics Lab  Engineering Works  Meeting rooms Expected number of visitors: about /year Estimated Cost 1993/1997: about 25 M BEF België

“Palais de la Découverte” Capelle-la-Grande - France Groot- Kapelle Located in the middle of the town Capelle-la-Grande in the neighbourhood of Dunkerque Operated by the municipality Facilities:  Exhibition halls Entirely complimentary to the Belgian Project Expected number of visitors: about per year Expected cost 1993/1997: about 90 M BEF Frankrijk

EuroSciences Some Conclusions Co-operation takes a lot of time –Evolution versus Revolution Involve people at ALL levels : –Politicians –Administrative personnel –etc. Try to look for projects with a REAL added value for both parties: things that can not or almost not be done by either party alone Make clear what you expect of each other Try to see each other also outside the official meetings: informal contacts are very important in these kind of projects. Don’t propose too small projects: a lot of people are not interested in them.