Presidency Consejo Cultural Mundial

by Dr. Esteban Meszaros Wild
Executive Director World Cultural Council

A very good evening, distinguished members of the Executive Committee, guests of honor here tonight, representatives of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen.

hroughout human history, man has always faced new challenges, allowing him to raise his living conditions on this earth.

Educated men and women, sages and scientists, philosophers and artists, have all contributed to what is now the heritage of the world.

For the vast majority of mankind, these advances remain hidden and are part of the Mystery, which only ready eyes and minds can interpret.

It is a very deep-felt honor for me, at this moment, to acknowledge the work of Master José Rafael Estrada Valero, who has worked untiringly for 25 years for the enhancement of the World Cultural Council.

It was his vision, with the support of 124 scientists from the 5 continents, which led to the foundation of this organization, established to recognize research into different fields of knowledge.

In 1982, he served as Director of International Relations, and as such undertook long trips throughout the American continent, visiting ministers of education and university rectors, who broadened his vision of what was to be done.

In 1984, during the presidency of Dr. Charles Tanford, he took up the position of Vice-president, a post he held throughout the presidency of Dr. Werner Stumm.

And then, in 1992, he took office as President, a position he now passes on to Prof. Edmond Fischer.

Master José Rafael Estrada, on behalf of the members of the World Cultural Council, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your outstanding work.

Today, 24th November 2007, you hand over the presidential emblem to a distinguished scientist, Prof. Dr Edmond Fischer.

[1920, Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1992- Edwin Krebs]

It was interesting to discover that Dr. Fischer’s first leaning was for music, and that he attended the Music Conservatory of Geneva.

He studied in the Faculty of Science of the University of Geneva, graduating in Organic Chemistry and Biology. He went on to do a PhD in Organic Chemistry, focusing on the structure of polysaccharides and the enzymes needed for their synthesis.

In the early 1950s, he traveled to the USA to study a postdoctorate, settling at Washington University in Seattle.

He is well-known, along with Dr. Edwin Krebs, for his work on the phosphorilation of the proteins of muscle cells and, in 1992, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for that discovery.

Our best wishes that his time at the forefront of the World Cultural Council will bring forth further fruit for the service of mankind.