On 30 May 2022, in Brussels, 34 of Europe’s top chemistry professors, including two Nobel Prize laureates and 21 PhD students from all across the EU gathered at the Brussels Metropole Hotel to recreate the iconic picture made during the Solvay International Conferences. The 1927 world-famous photo shows the prime of the scientific leadership of that time, including Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein. The gathering marks the 50th anniversary of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC).
Invited to participate, IUPAC President Prof. Javier García-Martínez joined the group also including 25 CEOs and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) of Europe’s leading chemical manufacturers and promising young scientists during the event. They seek to reinforce the alliance between science and business to ensure scientific progress and innovation find their way to the market and contribute to the EU’s Green Deal agenda.
Professor Ben L. Feringa, a laureate of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry said: “I am happy to participate in this initiative as it is great to bring together industry, the scientific community and students. The three groups will need to work together to find the best solutions for big challenges. The enthusiasm and dedication of the students fills me with pride and gives me the confidence that great progress will be made towards a more sustainable world. These young stars will shape the future of chemistry and enjoy being at the frontier of the creating science par excellence!”
Professor Javier García-Martínez echoed that: “This historical event was a fantastic opportunity for the chemistry community to rethink how we can contribute to building a more sustainable future. On this regard, IUPAC is heavily involved through various projects and this coming International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. Through my participation in this historical event organized by CEFIC, I had the opportunity to share some of the activities we are doing at IUPAC to advance chemistry research and education and to provide the chemistry community with the standards, verified data, and best practices”.
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CURIOUS …
Also just 100 years ago was the First Conseil de Chimie in April 1922 …
Public Domain, Link
… and portraying IUPAC first President Charles Moureu, 2nd President Sir William Pope, and 4th President Einaar Biilmann, and several officers including George Chavanne, Octave Dony-Hénault, Fédéric Swarts, and Georges Urbain.