French Ethnologist Jean Malaurie to Present Keynote Address at the 11th World Congress of Science Producers

(Banff, Canada, November 25, 2003)
The first Frenchman and only the second man in the world to reach the North Pole region by dog sled in 1951, Jean Malaurie will present this year’s Keynote Address, “Science Television at the Crossroads” at the 11th World Congress of Science Producers in Paris, France. Professor Malaurie’s speech will make a passionate argument, born of extraordinary experience and commitment, for the increasing use of the television medium to help the public understand science and scientific issues. He will address hundreds of producers, broadcasters and science programmers from around the world on Thursday morning, December 4 as part of this year’s forum exploring science and natural history programming.

With a love for the far North, Jean Malaurie has used his extraordinary life explorations to educate others on northern culture. He is currently director of the prestigious Centre for Arctic Studies at the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique). In his early career as a geographer, he studied Inuit culture by living within a local Inuit community. His many expeditions have included trips to Greenland, Siberia, Alaska and Canada. Professor Malaurie is author of numerous books on northern regions including the Terre Humaine collection and The Last Kings of Thule (translated in 23 languages).

Professor Malaurie holds a Doctorate in Geography from the University of Paris, is a fellow of Magdelen College, Oxford University, and is Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Saint Petersburg and honorary President of the Polar Academy in Saint Petersburg.

The World Congress of Science Producers is a member driven organization dedicated to celebrating the best in science production. It is administered by a Board of Directors and a Steering Committee that deals primarily with editorial matters. This year’s annual Congress takes place December 3 to 6 at the Hôtel Lutetia in Paris. For more information on SCIENCE 2003 or to register, go to banffmedia.com/science.

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