“Polar life, and moreover in a group, allows for no pretense, no subterfuge, no cheating. You show yourself as you are: the man deep inside, who you don’t even know yourself…” – Paul Emile-Victor, preface of Antarctica, desert of ice by Claude Lorius

Over 100 guests from the French scientific community celebrated the opening at the Australian Embassy of Antarctica, Land of Science and Peace and the launch of the science and innovation stream of Australia now France.

In a speech to French researchers and alumni of Australian universities gathered at the Embassy on 19 October, Australian Ambassador to France Gillian Bird described the exhibition as a ‘perfect backdrop’ to celebrate the broad, deep cooperation between Australia and France in science.

The informative exhibition – on display until 7 January 2022 – marks the 30^th anniversary of the Madrid Protocol, an international agreement initiated by France’s then Prime Minister Michel Rocard and the Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The protocol designates the white continent as a ‘natural reserve devoted to peace and science’. As winter hits the French capital, why not visit and learn about Antarctic glaciology, meteorology and biodiversity and the work of Australian scientists at the South Pole?

In the wake of the successful networking event and the ongoing Antarctic exhibition, the Embassy will organise a series of events in the first half of 2022 focused on Australian innovation and excellence in the fields of environment, renewable energy, space science, and women in science, engineering, technology and maths. These events will also highlight the hundreds of collaborations between French and Australian scientists. A full program will soon be available on this website.

To know more about the exhibition : Australia now France 2021–22 (celebrateaustralianow.com)