| Raising awareness amongst (young) people on the importance of research on aquatic ecosystems and pollution and the impact on food and health | | www.katho.be/hivb/aware-eco-health
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Funder identifier: 19155 (Other contract id)
Acronym: ECO-HEALTH
Period: May 2005 till December 2005
Status: Completed
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- Katholieke Hogeschool Zuid-West-Vlaanderen; Departement HIVB, more, co-ordinator
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| Abstract |
| The project of the partnership between KATHO-HIVB (Higher Institute for nursing and biotechnology, Belgium) and the DDNI (Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, Romania) has two main objectives namely stimulating young people to stud y (life)sciences and to communicate the importance of scientific research to the public at large. The project is situated in three FP6 thematic priorities: 1) the life sciences in particular the field of biotechnology and eco-toxicology, 2) food quality an d safety and 3) sustainable management of ecosystems. The objectives will be achieved through various initiatives such as 'scientist for a day' activities in which young people will perform experiments in schools or in the partners Institutes. In these ex periments various aspects will be addressed such as fragile aquatic ecosystems (eg the Donau delta in Romania and the Yser area in Flanders Belgium), biodiversity, pollution and the impact on food quality and human health. The importance of innovative biot echnological techniques fi toxicity experiments with different modelsystems, GMOs as bioremediation, water treatment and phytoplankton experiments, ? will be stressed. Some aspects of genderissue (giving preference to schools with a minimum of 50% female students) and ethical issues (fi the use of cell cultures instead of animals for toxicity tests) will be incorporated. Other activities programmed are workshops with young people and the public, "meet and greet" activities and the making of the short movie 'Life of a scientist'. The activities fit well in the framework of the Researchers in Europe Initiative 2005 and the project will contribute to a better understanding of the researchers profession amongst young people and the public. The expertise of both institutes is complementary and exchange of know-how, didactic material and good educational practice will take place according to the main principle of the Human Research and Mobility programme.' |
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