A Nobel Peace Prize winner is calling on candidates in the May 2010 polls to come up with plans related to science and education.
During a lecture dubbed “Science for Peace” at the Yuchengco Auditorium in La Salle University, Taft, Manila, Tuesday, 1981 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Prof. Torsten N. Wiesel said, “There’s too much emphasis on the corruption issues now that the election is fast approaching but I hope the presidential candidates will produce plans for the future.”
Wiesel said that he had earlier discussed state of science and education in the country with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“I believe that it is important for a government to have more resources for education and for science and technology. We discussed that and the President was really positive with our comments. The President was very proud of the fact that the government has invested a great deal of money for scholarships,” said Wiesel.
The professor also talked about scientists who also received the Nobel Peace Prize in the past for their contribution in promoting world peace.
He said some scientists who participated in the production of bombs were the same people who became the main advocates against the use and proliferation of bombs.
Scientists and advocates who received the same recognition in the past were Linus Carl Pauling, who pushed the ban on nuclear tests in several countries; Andrei Sakharov, one of the makers of the Hydrogen bomb but later spoke against the use of nuclear bombs; Mohamed ElBaradei and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who prevented nuclear energy from being used for military purposes; Jody Williams and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, whose work resulted in the banning and clearing of anti-personnel mines; and Norman E. Borlaugh, who introduced the “green revolution,” which refers to the transformation and development of agriculture.
The “Science for Peace” is part of ASEAN event series “Bridges: Dialogues Toward a Culture of Peace,” hosted by the International Peace Foundation.
The event aims to facilitate and strengthen dialogue and communication between societies in Southeast Asia. Through this event, Nobel Laureates, local universities and institutions have formed have established relationships which resulted in common research programs and projects.
