"What
we need above all is knowledge about global connections and changes,"
underscores Professor Peter Gruss, President of the Max Planck Society.
"For example, if we don't understand the factors associated with
climate change, we won't be able to respond with appropriate policies
or technologies. Take today's climate models, for instance. Unlike
their predecessors, they are not merely extended weather forecasts. The
latest models take into account factors such as the carbon balance of
the terrestrial and marine biospheres. Max Planck scientists have made
major contributions in this area."
Targeted research expenditures have
an enormous impact over the long term, providing tremendous impetus for
a country's innovative strength and economic clout.
Siemens President
and CEO Peter Löscher noted, "Siemens will play a pioneering role in
cooperating with governments and the scientific community to master the
tremendous challenges ahead, particularly during times of economic
crisis. Whether we're talking about the intelligent energy networks of
the future or technologies for environmental and climate protection,
healthcare or electromobility, Siemens will accelerate the development
and marketing of solutions that address the entire array of challenges."
Cooperation among scientific community, business and government
At the Future Dialogue conference,
leading scientists and political and economic decision-makers join
a select international audience to discuss current constraints to
cooperation between the scientific community, business and governments. Participants explores new ways to
foster cooperation and consider what kind of framework governments and
society must provide to facilitate this process. More than 300 senior
business leaders, scientists and policymakers included Dennis L. Meadows, co-author of The Limits to Growth;
Joschka Fischer, Germany's former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Lord
Nicholas Stern, who examines climate change from an economic point of
view; Khaled Awad, Director of Masdar City, a planned "zero-emissions"
city; and U.S. star architect and urban planner Daniel Libeskind.
Discussion covered crucial issues such as global
warming, the provision of improved healthcare worldwide and increasing
urbanization.
Independent basic research leads to innovation
As Peter Gruss notes, "Independent basic research is the
indispensible cornerstone for the development of innovative solutions -
because truly new products and processes cannot be generated from old
knowledge. More in-depth knowledge and a better understanding of the
processes of nature are the foundation for future innovations.
Example: Food Supplies
For
example, if we understand how plants adapt to unfavorable environmental
conditions such as overly saline soils or droughts, we can apply our
knowledge of these characteristics to crops, helping safeguard food
supplies for the nine billion people who will inhabit the earth in the
future."
Social Awareness and Government Support
However, if innovative approaches are to
be turned into reality, a positive awareness must be cultivated in
society. How can the ongoing support of governments and the general
public be secured as we tackle the challenges ahead? This is one of the
questions that will be addressed at the conference during three
parallel sessions in the afternoon.
Sustainability and Marketable Solutions
Sustainable success can be achieved
only if society, the scientific community and high-level policymakers
all support innovation - and its translation into marketable solutions.
As Siemens CEO Löscher remarked, "The international cooperation during
the financial and economic crisis has impressively demonstrated the
global community's capacity for concerted action when addressing a
major challenge. We must make every effort to follow this encouraging
example of worldwide cooperation among representatives of business,
science and government as we join forces to overcome the tremendous
challenges ahead. Fundamental research and its translation into
innovative, marketable technologies and products must go hand-in-hand,"
stated Löscher.
Commercialization of Innovations
There are already impressive examples of how
scientists, business leaders and policymakers can cooperate to help
turn innovations into marketable products. That's why the various
discussion forums at the Future Dialogue conference will focus not only
on analyzing the status quo but also on providing realistic,
forward-looking answers to the most urgent questions of the 21stcentury.