YESS (Yearly European Science & Society event) is an international event created by ecsite, the European network of science centers and museums.

ecsite wanted to launch a science communication activity at the occasion of the already ongoing celebrations of the “Day of Europe” every 9th of May. However no real European wide science initiative had been imagined up to now at that occasion. It seemed obvious that this should be done and should focus on an event involving active participation of citizens
For the first time in 2005 a European wide citizen’s debate activity will be organized by 15 member institutions in 11 countries. The European dimension is not only given through the choice of the date and the geographical area, but by the choice of a single research theme that is able to stimulate discussion. We have chosen to tackle brain research as the first topic.

We have four main objectives:
- To discuss different subjects linked to brain research all around Europe
- To show brain research impact on society and daily life and its ethical issues
- To create a real dialogue between the scientific community and the public
- To empower citizens to participate in decision making processes

YESS is only made possible thanks to the support of NEF (Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation – http://www.nef-web.org).
ecsite has entered a partnership with NEF because foundations on European level have the same aim to empower citizens and consider the importance of science in daily life; the co-operation between ecsite and NEF over the years will enable two important fields to experiment dialogue between science and the public all over Europe and define some best practices we hope will be beneficial for the society as a whole. YESS has obtained patronage of the EU, DG Research.