BioVisionAlexandria 2008 Comes to a Close
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Alexandria—
The Reporting and Closing Session of BioVisionAlexandria 2008, 12 –16 April 2008, took place at the BACC Great Hall, on Wednesday, 16 April 2008. During the session, Dr. Gabreille Persley, Chair, Doyle Foundation (UK) gave a briefing on the Conferences’ four plenary sessions and the environment stream sessions; Dr. Rafik Nakhla, BA (Egypt) reported the health stream; and Dr. Jim Flanagan, President, European Association for Animal Production (Ireland) reported food and agriculture stream.
Speaking of numbers, Dr. Mohamed Faham, Director, BA Center for Special Studies and Programs (Egypt) stated that 1300 participants attended the Conference, 70% of which were graduates and under-graduates along with 147 speakers, 3 of which were Nobel Laureates. He also declared Dr. Richard R. Ernst, 1991 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (Switzerland) the man of the Conference.
Dr. Richard Ernst gave a very interesting presentation, in which he stated that BioVision Alexandria 2008 was a full success. He described the Conference as a broad-spectrum event addressing global threats caused by human misbehavior and selfishness. He added that BioVision has a long-term scope that addresses the future of young generations. He spoke of BioVision as an inspiration to us all, and that we should not take for granted what was said during the course of the Conference. He maintained that in an era of sales promotion, one should keep a skeptical mind.
In an advice for future scientists to be creative, Ernst urged scientists to be curious, ask questions, and search for answers; maintain a creative unrest and a broad horizon; acquire knowledge in several fields; develop interdisciplinary thinking; and shift between self-confidence and self-criticism; and steadiness and flexibility. Scientists also need partners for inspirations; conduct open dialogue with the other; and be open for criticism. At the end of his talk, Ernst advised young scientists to freely express their opinions on all relevant subjects.
Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, started his talk by extending his deep thanks to the Conference sponsors, organizers, staff members, speakers, and participants. Dr. Serageldin especially thanked Philippe Desmarescaux, Chairman, the World Life Sciences Forum, BioVision (France) for deciding to waive the registration fees for participants from the third world in BioVision Lyon 2009. He also spoke about scientists' commitment towards the entire human family and the need to address the individual human being at a time of inhumanity and promises which are not really translated into practices. He called on scientists to recognize the need for action to bring the blessings of peace and the blanket of security. On the energy/food problem, Dr. Serageldin spoke about the rising prices that are really threatening our societies. He also addressed the threats of climate change and the need for all stakeholders, on all levels, to pile the promises for tomorrow into real practices for today.
Dr. Serageldin turned to youth, who created the New Library of Alexandria, and who attended BioVisionAlexandria 2008, and promised to extend his hand along with other scientists to push back global threats. He stressed the need to fight dogma and irrationality; to change priorities into policies; and to fight inaction. He stressed that, in a world of 80 million hungry people, we need to develop a sense of moral outrage. He called on youth to harness their skills and determination for a better future.
To view some of the BioVisionAlexandria 2008 presentations, click here.
To view Dr. Richard Ernsts' biography, click here.