Discussion 6 x 6 x public

The following guests accepted the invitation to the debate

Scientists

Milena Bartlová (1958)
art historian, Philosophical Faculty, Masaryk University, Brno
Helena Illnerová (1937)
physiologist and biochemist, Physiological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Chairwoman of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic between 2001 and 2005
Jana Musilová (1948)
mathematician and physicist, Natural Science Faculty, Masaryk University, Brno
Vice-Rector for Science and Research, Masaryk University, Brno
Petr Svoboda (1974)
molecular biologist, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Stanislav Štech (1954)
psychologist, Pedagogical Faculty, Charles University in Prague
Vice-Rector for Development, Charles University in Prague
Rudolf Zahradník (1928)
physical chemist
J. Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Chairman of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic between 1993 and 2001

Politicians

Jiří Havel (Czech Social Democratic Party)
Ondřej Liška (Green Party)
Miloslav Ransdorf (Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia)
Michaela Šojdrová (Christian-Democratic Party –Czechoslovak People’s Party)
Jan Vitula (TOP 09)
Zdeněk Vostracký (Civic Democratic Party)

Topics for debate

(here we list several questions worth considering)

What is and should be the role of science in society?

How should scientists communicate with politicians and how politicians with scientists?

Is the communication of scientists with political representations and the public today sufficient?

To what extent we should look for inspiration abroad in terms of science policy?
Are there any countries that can serve as an example to emulate?

Why should the State fund science? Should any priorities be set in science and research? How and by whom should such priorities be determined? Is it desirable to eliminate selected disciplines?

Should the public steer the course of science?

How to understand the term knowledge society?

What can be imagined under the term innovations? Should innovations be supported with taxpayers’ money?

What form should the cooperation between the academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and universities take? Is there space in the Czech Republic for both types of institutions?