March for Science is a celebration of science.
On Saturday 22 April 2017, the March for Science took place in over 600 cities around the world. The initiative originates from the USA, and involves scientists and the public coming together to highlight the importance of science and using research-based knowledge in society. One of the key messages is that science knows no borders and that diversity and openness are what characterise science.
Science is about asking questions about the world and testing them. It involves thinking logically, systematically as well as being open and curious. This applies to all scientific fields; the natural sciences, engineering, technology, social science, medicine, the humanities and mathematics.
Science is not just for scientists. Science plays vital role in the development of our world and therefore affects everyone.
Throughout history, scientific advances have been questioned when they have challenged prevailing beliefs. Discussions about science are an important part of the democratic discourse. As resistance to facts, alternative facts and fake news increasingly compete for attention against evidence-based knowledge and a scientific approach, it is time for us to speak out.
We want to celebrate science and show what makes science unique as a source of knowledge. We want to highlight the importance of critically examining sources, accepting different views and questioning things.
- We want everyone to have the right to reliable evidence-based knowledge.
- We want everyone to be given an opportunity to understand, assess, appraise and form their own opinion about various claims.
- We want to highlight all that science gives us, and for science to have secure place in society, both now and in the future.
Swedish marches
In Sweden, 2017 marches were organised in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Umeå, Luleå and Uppsala. The March for Science in Sweden received the support of over 80 partner organisations. This was a celebration of science and was non-political.
In 2018, marches were once again held on 14 April in over 200 cities worldwide, including Luleå, Lund and Stockholm in Sweden, under the banner Science Marches On.
Building upon the momentum generated through the March for Science in Sweden, a new campaign called Hur vet du det? (“How do you know that?”) was launched in 2018, the year of the Swedish general election. The initiative supports the aims of the March for Science to increase understanding amongst politicians and voters about what science is, how it is conducted, and the importance of using research findings to inform policy making and to make a better society.
The overall aim of the How do you know that? - campaign was to increase the use of scientific facts in political debate in the run up to the Swedish general election in September 2018.