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ReDiscover - a renewal fund for science centres and museums across the UK was launched today. The new £33 million fund is a joint venture between the Millennium Commission, the Wellcome Trust and the Wolfson Foundation and will be awarded in four funding rounds over the next three years. The fund has been established to allow existing museums and science centres to renew, replace, refresh or redevelop high quality science, education and technology exhibitions to keep up with advances in science and technology and remain at the cutting edge. Millennium Commissioner Judith Donovan CBE said: "The new millennium will bring advances in science and technology at a speed and scale never seen before. The Millennium Commission received many applications for the funding of science and discovery centres and we supported them because they help increase understanding and awareness of science and have made it fun and accessible to all. These science centres are an important resource for the UK, both as educational resources and in the way they are promoting economic regeneration. They need to be as up to date as possible to maintain the interest and support of the public, and this fund will ensure that resources are available for the enhancement and renewal of their exhibits." Caroline Hurren, Head of Consultation and Education at the Wellcome Trust, said: "Public engagement with biomedical science is a core activity of the Wellcome Trust. We are involved in a number of initiatives which aim to stimulate people's interest in scientific advances and help them consider the impact of these advances on their lives. Science centres make a valuable contribution in bringing science to life and if they are to continue this role it is important that exhibits are updated and relevant to topical issues. We hope this new injection of funds will re-equip and invigorate centres so that they continue to take visitors on a journey of scientific discovery." Sir Eric Ash CBE FRS, Trustee of the Wolfson Foundation, said: "For a number of years the Foundation has supported the renovation of museums and galleries. The Foundation also has a major ongoing commitment to science. ReDiscover brings these two interests together, reflecting the importance Wolfson Trustees place on public engagement with science - not least because in the absence of adequate understanding an informed public debate on scientific issues is not possible. The Foundation also seeks to develop productive partnerships and is pleased to collaborate with the Wellcome Trust and the Millennium Commission in this initiative." ReDiscover will embrace the full spectrum of science, engineering and technology, supporting a range of initiatives in science education and engagement with the public. Excellence will be the key criterion and innovation will be actively encouraged, together with the extension of best practice and collaboration between centres. -ends- Notes to Editors 1. The Millennium Commission is one of the good causes which distributes funds from the National Lottery and has invested over £300 million, some 20% of its total budget, in a new generation of interactive science and discovery centres which are bringing science alive and making it fun and accessible. The Commission is investing a further £25 million of Lottery money in the new ReDiscover renewal fund. www.millennium.gov.uk Millennium Commission Communications Office tel: 020 7880 2007 2. The Wellcome Trust is an independent research-charity whose mission is to foster and promote research with the aim of improving human and animal health. Allied to this is a commitment to engage the public with science through a diverse range of activities.www.wellcome.ac.uk The Wellcome Trust Media Office tel: 020 7611 8866,email:media.office@wellcome.ac.uk 3. The Wolfson Foundation is a charitable foundation set up in 1955 whose aims are the advancement of science, health, education the arts and humanties. It has for a number of years supported the renovation of museums and galleries and the promotion of scientific research and education. The Wolfson Foundation, tel: 020 7323 5730 x 210 For further information please contact Nina Baxter on 020 7880 7362 or 07775 812 820 or visitwww.wellcome.ac.uk/rediscover back to top Copyright © 2002 The Millennium Commission
Millennium Commission 22-Jul-2002
Categories: News Archive
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