
The aim of the pairing operation, jointly created by the Académie des sciences and the French Parliamentary Office for Scientific and Technological Assessment (OPECST), is to build bridges between Members of Parliament, from both Lower (Assemblée nationale) and Upper (Sénat) French Chambers, and scientists, namely Members of the Académie and young researchers.
This initiative allowed French Members of the Assemblée nationale and Senators to gain a better insight into the research world, through personal contacts and laboratory visits organised for them. It likewise instilled a better sense of civic duty for the scientists in enabling them to discover the reality of parliamentary work, in Paris and in the Parliamentarians' constituencies. Lastly, it encouraged a dialogue between the worlds of science and politics.
Photo caption : The President of the Assemblée nationale, Bernard Accoyer, welcomes the participants, Members of the Academie des sciences and young scientists to the 2009 Pairing session. © Assemblée nationale