Australia hosts International Day at Lindau

Young scientists during the opening cermenony at 64th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting (Credit: Christian Flemming/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting)

The 64th Lindau Nobel Laureates Meetings, held in late June 2014, included an International Day hosted by Australia, via the Australian Academy of Science.

Inaugural veski innovation fellow and President of the Academy, Professor Andrew Holmes AM was among the Australian representatives at the International Day.

The International Day offered an exceptional educational, research and science diplomacy opportunity for Australia to display its achievements on the world stage. The disciplines of physiology and medicine were represented at the 2014 Lindau meeting.

The inspiring Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, held annually in Germany since 1951, introduces Nobel Prize winners in chemistry, physiology, medicine and physics to younger generations of scientists.

From 2004 the Academy has supported an annual delegation of young Australian researchers, accompanied by a member of the Academy's Council. Since 2013, the Science and Industry Endowment Fund (SIEF) has also provided SIEF-AAS Fellowships for up to 10 Australian-based early career scientists in specialist discipline years, and up to 15 in multidisciplinary years.

The International Day began with a scientific breakfast aimed at stimulating discussion and setting the tone for the day’s events. During the breakfast, a panel discussion was held on the topic ‘Women in science’.

The evening program included a scientific lecture given by a leading Australian researcher, cultural entertainment and Australian food and wine. Approximately 850 guests, including Nobel Laureates, early career researchers, members of the Lindau Council and members of the world’s media, attended.

As the 2014 International Day host, Australia sent a delegation of 15 outstanding young Australian scientists to Lindau, supported by the SIEF-AAS Fellowships or by their university.

These young researchers joined other distinguished Australians, including Australian Nobel Laureates Professor Brian Schmidt AC FRS FAA, Professor Elizabeth Blackburn AC FRS FAA, Professor Barry Marshall AC FRS FAA and Professor Peter Doherty AC FRS FAA to form the official Australian delegation to Lindau. The delegation was led by Professor Suzanne Cory AC PresAA FRS and Professor Jerry Adams FAA FRS.

International Day partners include the Australian Government Department of Industry and Department of Education, the Group of Eight, Austrade, CSIRO, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Defence Science and Technology Oganisation (DSTO) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).