In September, ESA held a citizens debate with 2000 participants from the ESA member states.
Here is a short overview of the results with a link to more detailed findings.
http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Minister...and_the_future
The debate material can be downloaded to replicate such a discussion in schools, universities or wherever.
I like that very much! Other basic research facilities only open once a decade to the general public and do not ask around for topics or opinions on which the tax money should get spent.
I can't really imagine a citizens debate at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
but who knows? There might be hobbyists in that field, as well.
And it's likely a field for sci-fi / alien related research, too.
I'd be keen on debating future projects at Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience. Not least because it's located in Florida
Annette
