To be held in Graz for the first time, the Ecsite Annual Conference from 7 – 11 June 2016 was the largest science communication event in Europe and the second largest of its kind in the world, with around 1,000 participants from approximately 50 countries. The Universalmuseum Joanneum, the Children’s Museum FRida & freD and the Science Centre Network had the unique opportunity to host this major event.

Ecsite – The European Network of Science Centres and Museums – is a European platform based in Brussels, which facilitates public access to technical and scientific topics through professional and innovative science-related communication. Ecsite brings together in its network about 400 science centres, technology museums, natural history museums, research institutes and similar institutions. All of these Ecsite member organisations reach more than 40 million people each year with their programmes, exhibitions and projects. More than 60% of these are under 25 years of age. The Ecsite Conference has now been the annual summit for presentations and exchange among members for 26 years.