It’s been months since the lockdown. Initially it had been hard for us to cope, with everything being shut down for an indefinite period. But as we all know the show must go on! Science may have slowed down but will never come to a halt. Probably this is the message the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings intend to spread as they organize this year’s Online Science Days celebration. The two meetings were supposed to be held in Lindau in Germany with participants across countries visiting the events. With the current pandemic crisis all over the world, the meetings had to be called off. The events will now occur online and participants will be able to join the celebration while enjoying the comfort of their homes. But before this let us find out what these Nobel Laureate meetings are and who organizes them.
History of Lindau Nobel Laureates
The Lindau Meetings are a unique international forum for exchange of scientific information. It was started back in 1951 by two Lindau physicians Franz Karl Hein and Gustav Wilhelm Parade.
Initially the events were restricted to periodic meetings of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, dedicated alternately to the Nobel Prize disciplines physiology or medicine, physics, and chemistry. Gradually subjects like Economic Sciences were added as disciplines for meetings.
Lindau Nobel Laureates Meetings
The Lindau Meetings are jointly organised by two institutions – the Council and the Foundation. These meetings collaborate with more than 200 of the most renowned science and research institutions worldwide. These institutions identify the most qualified participants within them and nominate them for the meetings. Young scientists have to be nominated by these academic partners in order to be able to apply for participation.
Once every year, around 30-40 Nobel Laureates convene in Lindau to meet the next generation of leading scientists: 600 undergraduates, PhD students, and post-doc researchers from all over the world. The meetings focus alternately on physiology and medicine, on physics, and on chemistry – the three natural science Nobel Prize disciplines. An interdisciplinary meeting revolving around all three natural sciences is held every five years. Besides this, the Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences is held every three years.
All About Online Science Days 2020
With the current pandemic ridden world, such meetings could not be held. So, instead of the meetings, the organizing committee came up with the idea of Online Science Days Celebration. The Online Science Days are a programme wherein the young scientists and young economists selected for the original meetings as well as the alumni from 70 years will be able to participate. 39 Nobel Laureates will discuss a variety of topics with excellent young scientists and senior experts in different sessions. Over the course of four days, from 28 June – 1 July, the Online Science Days present a packed programme with topics that range from international collaboration to corona, from green chemistry to communicating climate change, and from women in science to the Lindau Guidelines. The best part of this year’s programme is that even a supporter, academic partner, student, journalists, or a person just intrigued by science may be able to participate in it. So here’s your opportunity, don’t let it go waste!
