Creationism, the rejection of the scientific basis of  evolutionary theory, is experiencing a resurgence among Europeans. The Department of Biology and Didactics of Biology at the TU Dortmund has organized an international conference addressing the issue, titled “Attitude and Knowledge concerning Evolution and Science in Europe (AKESE)”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education.

On February 20th, researchers from different scientific backgrounds and seven European countries will meet at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology in Dortmund to discuss the scientific significance of evolutionary theory, its lack of social acceptance and the negative attitude towards science that rejection of evolution entails.

Despite its great importance and enormous explanatory power, evolution and the theory of evolution are still poorly understood and actively by many in Europe.   While the evolutionary theory is supported by an overwhelming body of evidence, it remains the most controversial scientific theory in the history of man.

Criticism of evolution not  a newly emerging phenomenon of the early 21st century and it is not limited to highly religious people: ever since the time of Charles Darwin, critics of evolutionary theory have been found in all countries, at all educational levels and among all social classes. 

According to current estimates, 20 % of the German population deny that evolution is occurring. Creationism – the notion that the story of creation told by the respective Holy Scriptures gives an exact account of the creation of life and is to be taken literally – offers many grounds for criticism, and not just to natural scientists, so along with speakers in natural sciences, the conference will also feature humanists and social scientists, who will share their opinion on the issues of creationism and evolution in Europe.

Program (in German) and registration.