MESSAGE FROM THE ASPAC PRESIDENT

I invite you to join us for the ASPAC Conference in Kaohsiung on 26-29 May 2009. As we meet to consider new directions and strategies for science centres across the Asia Pacific region, we will consolidate and extend the valuable role our science centres take on in a constantly changing world.

In our ongoing effort to position science and technology as significant for people of all ages, there is one question to be asked - how will the world be different because of our existence? One approach we must pay special attention to is to work very closely with networks that embrace similar objectives, to ensure that science-based organisations worldwide are valued by their communities. We must find ways to extend our reach, prove our relevance, provide impact, and remain sustainable for the benefit of humankind.

The ASPAC Conference theme this year revolves around collaborative innovation and partnerships. This is one of the aspirations affirmed in the Toronto Declaration signed at the Fifth Science Centre World Congress in June 2008. For the first time, the global science centre community developed a common statement of values and commitment to seek out and build alliances with those creating science knowledge and disseminating it to the public.

In the face of economically turbulent times, we must broaden our perspectives and seek out new models to serve our communities, if we wish to remain relevant. Moving forward, we need to focus on developing smart partnerships that extend beyond our traditional scheme of business.

Engaging with the public should not only focus on our own physical or geographical parameters but also be accomplished through leveraging our partners, be they kindred organisations, research or learning institutions, or corporate entities. As we advocate for the learning and appreciation of science in the current economic climate, there will be challenges as well as opportunities that will emerge in the realm of smart partnerships to further our goals.

As you join us in Kaohsiung, let us assimilate our thinking on how we can impact and build our relevance to our communities regardless of social and economic situations. Let us uncover ways and means to build meaningful partnerships within our network of science centres and museums and beyond. Let us move towards building a reputation for our institutions as sustainable resources to address current local and global issues.

Together, we must find and share innovative ways of operating our institutions from this perspective.

ASPAC's strategic direction must mirror that of the global science community, in our quest to create science-literate citizens.We need to inspire our communities and to lead them in participating in the finding of solutions to the world's problems. It's time to engage and to encourage them to be a part of the planet's rescue mission.

Thank you to the National Science and TechnologyMuseum in Kaohsiung for organising and hosting ASPAC 09. I look forward to your participation in and contributions to the program so that together we will reap many benefits from ASPAC 2009 – for us as individuals, for our institutions and for the ASPAC network.

Tengku Nasariah Ibrahim
President
Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres