2003-
Finland
University
of Helsinki
(Finland,
November 17) The World Cultural Council celebrated
it´s 20th Anniversary at the National Archives
of Finland, with the host of the University of
Helsinki and the Finnish Society of Sciences
and Letters.
Martin
Rees, Royal Society Professor at Cambridge University,
considered as a leader in understanding the structure and
evolution of the universe, received the “Albert
Einstein” World Award of Science during this
Award Ceremony. He acknowledge “It is a particular
honour to be added to this distinguished row code winners
in previous years” and pointed out that “Our
Earth, a tiny 'pale blue dot' in the cosmos, may be of galactic
--even cosmic-- significance. It could be one of the rare
locations where advanced life has merged and with the potential
to develop further.
From this perspective, the present century seems the most crucial in Earth's
history -- it is a century when human choices and actions could ensure the
perpetual future of life (which may lie not just on the Earth, but far beyond
it); in contrast, through malign intent, or through misadventure, 21st-century
technology could jeopardise life's potential, foreclosing its human and posthuman
future”.
The “Leonardo
da Vinci” World Award of Arts was given to Otto
Piene, painter, sculptor, sky artist and writer,
expressed “I am deeply grateful for receiving this
reward” and continued “Peace, enlightenment,
shared spiritual energy and cultural curiosity are values
implied or openly advocated by a growing world community
of arts. The role of art in general and academic education
- including science, technology and media - is being recognized,
or , recognized again in some places of today's world. As
usual, the world is in a state of crisis now but being here
feels good. Thank you very much, Consejo Cultural Mundial”.
The
prizes were delivered from the Rector of the University of
Helsinki, Prof. Ilkka Niiniluoto, the President, Dr José Rafael
Estrada, and the Vice President Prof. Phillip Tobias.
Prof.
Niiniluoto gave his welcome address to this Award Ceremony
and said “We live in a world which is full of battle,
fighting, misery, and suffering. Unfortunately the results
and discoveries of science and technology have been used also
for evil and destructive purposes. Many people are desperate
or losing their faith in the progress of the humanity. In this
situation, it is a great delight to see that there still are
insightful persons and powerful international organizations
which actively work for improving the human condition. We must
not give up our attempt to build up a better world. Scientific
research, artistic creation, and education for all are the
main tools that we have for advancing this ethically demanding
objective. Universities as academic institutions have a responsibility
of serving the whole of humanity and its sustainable future
on our globe, and thus we are natural allies to organizations
that share the same moral goal”
Prof.
Phillip Tobias, Vice President of the World Cultural Council
offered his thanks and felicitations on this vicenial anniversary
to Dr Estrada, for being led during two decades by him and
his vision; inspired by his ideals “which have led to
the founding of, not only the World Cultural Council, but also
the Global Foundation and the International University near
Mexico City”.
He
continued …” Previously I have pointed out that
there is a place in science for both ethics and aesthetics – or,
if you will, “ethos” and “aesthetikos”.
Here in Finland, I see a hint of the personal symbiosis in
Johan Julius (“Jean”) Sibelius. He is widely admired
as Finland’s greatest composer: yet, I was exceptionally
interested to read that, as a schoolboy, he had excelled in
mathematics. It has been said that the mathematical brain and
the musical brain are often powerfully developed in the same
individual. The elegant precision of musical notation and the
rigorous exactitude of mathematics seem to have much in common.
It is perhaps not surprising to find those parts of the human
brain that subserve mathematical skill and musicality often
to be strongly developed in the same individual”.
“Sibelius:
is he perchance a model for us and for tomorrow’s man?
For surely, if mankind’s intellect is to survive in the
future, humanity needs a certain kind of synthesis. In that
sense Sibelius has shown us the way. That way lies wisdom.
That way lies survival”.
Dr
José Rafael Estrada highlighted during his address that “History
has taught us that the repression of minority groups, wars
and violence have all arisen out of prejudices, whether ethnic,
ideological or religious. Something has to be done in order
for us to understand each other, to respect each other. The
world must change. It’s not right to keep people in cages
in inhumane conditions, faceless, nameless and defenceless,
bearing nothing but their suffering. Nor is it right, and indeed
it is terrible, for the world to be held hostage by terrorism.
Violence breeds more violence”.
Dr
Estrada claims “I am convinced, from first-hand experience,
of the goodness and wisdom that can exist in someone with no
religion whatsoever. We have worked together for a better world,
side by side, with people of the most diverse ideologies.
Justice,
goodness, prudence and wisdom can all exist in a scientist,
and I bear witness to that, since virtue is not the monopoly
of any religion, however much bounty it may have.
We
are working to assist the advent of an Age of Peace and Fraternity
among men and nations, for the realization of a better world
in which ideological, ethnic, social and all other differences
are respected, and where prejudice against and suspicion of
what is different are ended”.
Outstanding
finnish scientists such as Prof. Sören Illman, Prof. Markku
Kulmala, Prof. Antti Vaheri and artists Eija-Liisa Ahtila,
Hannu Kähönen Yrjö Kukkapuro, Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi,
Nina Roos, Henry Wuorila-Stenberg were recognized by the World
Cultural Council for their devoted and productive trajectory.
