2009-07-01 09:58:58 -
Kapil Sibal gets honour to be an invitee at the island town of Lindau in southern Germany,Nobel laureates hold meet to inspire as mentor, the young researchers from all over the world.Meet started with shear seven Nobel laureates from three countries has expanded to 580 young researchers from 67 countries with 23 Nobel laureates from chemistry.From June 28th to July 3rd, 2009 23 Nobel Laureates and 580 young researchers from 67 countries will meet at Lindau for the 59th Meeting of Nobel Laureates. The 2009 Lindau Meeting will be dedicated to chemistry
This year, two panel discussions will take place:"The Role and Future of Chemistry for Renewable Energy" with Nobel Laureates Profs. Gerhard Ertl // Ryoji Noyori // F. Sherwood Rowland // Richard Royce Schrock on Wednesday, July 1st at Lindua.
“Global Warming and Sustainability” with Prof. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2007 // Prof. William Moomaw, Professor of International Environmental Policy and Director of the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, The Fletcher School //Prof. Thomas Stocker, Co-Chair Working Group I/ Fifth Assessment/ Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (2008-2014) // Nobel Laureates Prof. Mario Molina and Prof. Richard R. Schrock (on Friday, July 3rd).
Shri Kapil Sibal,
Union Minister for Human Resource Development has been inducted into the Honorary Senate of the Foundation Lindau Nobel prize winners Meetings at Lake Constance. This induction, along with the one other induction of Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, was done during the opening ceremony of the 59th Lindau meeting of Nobel Laureates, in Lindau, Germany on 28th June. The laudation read out on the occasion described Shri Sibal as an ardent advocate for technology interventions, especially in the field of education and health. It also said that he holds that technology can provide affordable solutions to the problems of the common man.
While giving his acceptance speech, Shri Sibal underlined the issue of equity vis-à-vis science and technology. He said, “S&T has brought prosperity to the world, but it has not been uniform in its impact. The scourge of poverty persists. Our movement forward needs a course correction. I believe in the adage that “poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere”. In the 21st century we need to abate and not exacerbate existing disparities. We need to demolish existing boundaries through fresh scientific thinking and new technology interventions. The solutions however, must be both accessable and affordable. “
Shri Sibal exhorted the Scientists as global citizens to rise above narrow, divisive considerations. Stating that science and technology is value neutral, he said scientific solutions and technological breakthroughs will help us emerge successful in our struggle for survival. The HRD Minister said that he believed the 21st century would be one of co-operation, collaboration and inclusiveness because the challenges we face are common, formidable and unprecedented. Solutions to these problems lie not in smart negotiations, stealthy strategies or stricter laws, but in science and technology pursued collaboratively.
Present, among others, on the occasion were, Countess Bettina Bernadotte, President of the Lindau Council, Dr. Annette Schavan, German Federal Minister for Education and Research, Dr. Gang Wan, Chinese Minister for S&T, and Prof. Wolfgang Schurer, Chairman of the Lindau Foudation. 23 Nobel laureates and 580 students, including 50 odd Indian students are participating in this year’s conference. The Foundation’s Honorary Senate, to which Shri Sibal and Mr. Jose Barroso were inducted on Sunday includes German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, the former German President, Professor Dr. Roman Herzog, Dr. h.c. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Joachim Milberg (Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG ), the Secretary General of the European Research Council, Prof. Dr. Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker.
More than 200 Nobel Laureates are members of the Founders Assembly of the Foundation.Countess Bettina Bernadotte af Wisborg is President of the Council. Starting in 1951, now 20 - 30 Nobel Laureates each year accept the invitation by the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings and the Foundation Lindau Nobelprizewinners Meetings at Lake Constance. Some 500 – 700 students and young researchers come from all over the world to listen to the Laureate’s lectures and to engage in discussions with them in an open and informal setting. Representatives from universities and academic institutions select participants based on strict criteria provided by the Council.
