From amongst Barcelona 's boys and girls today have to emerge the scientists of tomorrow who will allow the city to occupy a place at the forefront of the knowledge society. However, this need contrasts with the increasingly worrying, European-wide lack of interest in scientific careers, especially amongst girls. Reflections like those collected in the manifesto "Barcelona Does Science", in which 1,300 boys and girls from the city took part last academic year, are good proof of this problem. Awakening interest in science and science careers amongst young people is precisely one of the objectives of Barcelona Science 2007 , an initiative of the Barcelona Institute of Culture, in which more than two hundred organisations are taking part right across the city. Other aims of this programme, which was born with a strong will to integrate itself into the city's permanent, cultural offering, are: making the public aware of local values in the field of research, putting into perspective the gender inequalities that affect the world of science (and acting to combat those differences), and promoting informed, critical thought.
In other words, the key to making a genuine leap towards scientific capability is to replace the well-known formula R+D+i (research, development and innovation) with a new one: R+D+i+C, where ‘C' adds communication, culture, social cohesion, connection, citizens…
To achieve these aims, throughout 2007 more than three hundred activities will take place all over the city: big and small cultural events, talks, exhibitions, debates, shows, etc. Science is coming out of the laboratories and getting into theatres, libraries, museums and schools – coming to a place near you!
The complete programme of activities that makes up Barcelona Science 2007 can be found at www.bcn.cat/ciencia2007. Here you'll find all the information referring to the aims of this initiative as well the organisations that have made it possible. It's worth pointing out that Barcelona Science 2007 is not a theme year, rather it forms part of the new Barcelona Cultural Plan (announced on 14 th December last year), and, is therefore one of the city's strategic lines in defence of a cohesive model of a competent society, as Mayor Jordi Herreu pointed out on the day the programme was unveiled.

“Some see science as an oppressive, arrogant, self-interested thing.” (extract from the 9 th Public Hearing “ Barcelona Does Science! Scientific contributions from young people for the improvement of the city”)

As a taster of the activities on offer in Barcelona Science 2007 , here are just a few highlights:
-  Science Ticket: seven science centres, in Barcelona and the metropolitan area, have got together to offer a single-entrance ticket that allows the public to visit them throughout the year.
-  Origins, Universe, Earth, Life, Humanity Exhibition (1 st March 2007 – 28 th February 2008): this exhibition integrates a wide range of information to reflect on what we know and don't know about the relationship between the origin of the universe, the Earth, life and humanity.
-  Science in the World of Theatre (various dates): A copy, Orion and other shows offer a very particular view of science through dance, theatre and music.
- Scientific Cafés (once a month, from January to December): current questions about the use of science are the focus of monthly debates in cafés, in a format where there is no distinction between experts and non-experts, but to which everyone can bring their own thoughts.
-Escolab (March to June): Research centres in Barcelona offer more than 100 activities aimed at schools so that laboratories, what they are and what they do, can be seen at first hand.
-Ciutadella Festival (24 th -25 th March): during the last weekend of March the Ciutadella Park will host a mass festival where there will be everything from a rocket launch (on a small scale) to music, shows, mini-talks and many other activities for getting to know the kind of science Barcelona does (aimed especially at the younger public).