The March for Science takes place in the center of Reykjavík on Earth Day, Saturday 22 April at 13. The aim of the march is to show solidarity with scientists and at the same time celebrate science as an important pillar in a democratic society. A meeting will be held in Iðnó after the walk where the dangers to scientific work and scientists will be discussed.
The idea for the Science Walk was sparked by scientists and science enthusiasts in the United States at the end of January, but will be held in support of science in Washington DC on April 22. The idea spread around the world and an international movement was created that will stand for similar tunnels in many countries. In Iceland, scientists and science enthusiasts are leading the march.
The movement's goal is, among other things, to draw attention to science as one of the pillars of a democratic society that serves the common interests of nations and promotes, among other things, informed decisions in the public interest.
The scientific process takes place in the shadow of the changes that have taken place in the environment of scientists and the scientific stance in decision-making in the United States since the Donald Trump administration took over in that country in January. The policies of the new authorities will have far-reaching implications around the world, limiting the ability of scientists to conduct research and share their knowledge and discoveries. Therefore, we face a possible future where people not only disregard scientific knowledge but try to completely eliminate it.
Science is more widespread than in the United States. In Iceland, there is a financial plan under the auspices of the government for the next five years, which assumes that the university system will continue to be short of funds and cuts in competitive funds next year. A number of academics and scientists have also been laid off from public universities in Denmark.
The purpose of the Science Walk is also to celebrate science, the role it plays in the lives of all of us, and to emphasize the need to respect and encourage research that contributes to our greater understanding of the world. That is why we need to protect science.
Science enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to attend the walk. We will gather at Skólavörðuholt by the statue of Leifur Eiríksson from where we will walk down Skólavörðustígur and Bankastræti, along Austurstræti, over Austurvöllur and to Iðnó. There will be a panel discussion starting with short presentations from scientists, who will discuss the dangers facing science in the United States and beyond and its impact on the outside world.
Further information about the march can be found on her Facebook page in Iceland: https://www.facebook.com/events/608584169266237/
and the website of the international movement: https://www.marchforscience.com/