After two years of preparations, Bridges, a series of events organised by the International Peace Foundation, hosted its first event on Nov. 5 at the University of Cambodia. The first of the several high profile individuals taking part in the project was Professor Aaron Ciechanover, a 2004 Nobel laureate for Chemistry, who delivered a lecture entitled “Science and Technology as a novel language of peace”. The small conference centre at the university was jam-packed with students and dignitaries, with Deputy Prime Minister Sok An himself presiding over the event and speaking to the audience at length. Professor Ciechanover’s lecture focused on the importance of universities in producing knowledge, and he also introduced his native country Israel to the audience, conveniently avoiding any mention of Palestine. Ciechanover also spoke of his own work in the medical field, which focuses on finding cures for the global plague of cancer. The Bridges events will continue with a lecture by Jackie Chan on Nov. 11.
