30 January 2006
In 2005, the Planetarium Science Center (PSC) of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, was selected by the International Program Committee (IPC) of the World Congress of Science Centers to represent North Africa and the Middle East in the committee. For the PSC to really have an active role in the IPC, it initiated the idea of creating a network that represents North Africa and the Middle East (NAMES). On 30 January 2006, the BA organized a one-day closed meeting to lay the foundation for the new network.
The meeting included representatives from:
- The BA Planetarium Science Center
- Suzanne Mubarak Science Exploration Center
- Prince Salman Science Oasis (Saudi Arabia)
- The Scientific Center of Kuwait
- Tunis Science City
- Turkey Science Centers Foundation
- Sharjah Science Museum ( United Arab Emirates)
- Deutsches Museum, guest.
- Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, associate.
The topics discussed included:
- Mission Statement
- The Statutes
- Office premises
- Membership and Fees
- Board of Directors
- Executive Committee
- The General Assembly
- Budget
After the deliberations that continued following the meeting of 30 January 2006, the decision was made to launch the NAMES Network with four founding members:
1. The Planetarium Science Center, Egypt
www.bibalex.org/English/psc/about/overview.htm
2. Turkey Science Centers Foundation
www.bilimmerkezi.org.tr/
3. The Scientific Center of Kuwait
www.tsck.org.kw/
4. Tunis Science City
www.cst.rnu.tn/