The forums, which started on October 6 in Grasse and concluded on December 10 in Nice, aimed to engage citizens. More specifically, to raise awareness about sustainable development and scientific research. They were organized at the initiative of Anne-Marie Dumont, honorary president of the SAPIENCE association, founded in 2003. This association, all of whose members are volunteers, addresses those who feel directly concerned about our future. Currently, science raises many questions and uncertainties due to the recent advances in recent years. Citizens, as a whole, want to understand what scientific research is preparing for us. The stakes are very high and concern our current existence. It is essential for the general public to know that the issues raised concern them primarily. SAPIENCE actively participates in this dissemination by inviting personalities from the scientific, political, academic worlds, and the general public to debate and think. During the forum on the objectivity of the media regarding science, Anne-Marie Dumont presents her vision of ecology, her hopes, and her doubts. Selected excerpts.
David Dion: *”In your opinion, can climate change be controlled? Is it too late?”*
Anne-Marie Dumont: *”The information is contradictory, which is why a forum like this is important. Some scientists, like Claude Allègre, think it is too late. Others say the opposite. For my part, I think we must not fall into catastrophism even if many pieces of evidence of this warming are proven. The role of these debates is to inform but not to alarm. The authorities are aware of these issues, now it is up to the general public to take them up. There are many things left to do.”*
D.D: *”Is ecology a trend or does it fit into our era?”*
A.M.D: *”First of all, I would like to clarify. Ecology is neither Right nor Left. It is above political parties, even if some emphasize this issue. I think ecology has never been a trend, and it is even less so today. What has changed is that it can no longer be ignored as was the case 30 years ago. It has moved into everyday life.”*
D.D: *”What do you expect from the scientific community?”*
A.M.D: *”Scientists are becoming increasingly aware of the gap between their work and the public’s understanding. Since the issues of contaminated blood, asbestos, and mad cow disease, the population has gradually become wary of science. SAPIENCE offers researchers an opportunity to share their work and encourages them to debate these ethical issues with the public.”*
D.D: *”What do you think about the current stance of the media, which tends to oversell, by alarming, scientific subjects?”*
A.M.D: *”We must first emphasize the freedom of the press. There is true freedom of the press in France. That being said, it is a human sentiment for a journalist to want to convey a message. Overall, their articles are good, but beware of the headlines. They tend to be a bit too grandiose and flashy to catch the eye and thus sell.”*
D.D: *”Do they link citizens and scientific research?”*
A.M.D: *”They indeed try to simplify scientific information as much as possible. There is a real effort on their part, especially from daily newspapers. You can sense a genuine will to inform. Scientific topics are multiplying. The demand from the general public is strong and constantly increasing. The media needs to continue in this direction.”*
D.D: *”Do you notice a change in mentalities?”*
A.M.D: *”In nearly four years of debate, I feel, through the questions asked, an increase in the public’s interest in ecology and scientific research. There is a real quality of listening in forums, mixed with a desire to learn and form an opinion. People arrive already informed on the debate topic, which allows them to ask more specific questions, and thus obtain a precise answer.”*
D.D: *”What future would you like for the SAPIENCE association?”*
A.M.D: *”We don’t communicate much, but our forums are increasingly successful. That’s a good sign. For now, the debates only take place in the Alpes-Maritimes, with the support of the regional authorities, scientists, and the population. But we hope to expand to the entire country. The goal is to eventually create true scientific citizenship.”*
