Nobody can really say at this point what will be its effect, if at all, on the candidates running for Congress, and particularly on those seeking the presidency.
I am referring to the suggestion made by a visiting Nobel Peace Prize winner on the importance for the government “to have more resources for education and for science and technology.”
This, he said after making observations about too much emphasis on corruption issues by those running for public office, but at the same time expressed hope “the presidential candidates will produce plans for the future.”
Professor Torsten N. Wiesel, 1981 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said he had discussed with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the state of science and education in the country and that he was informed the government has invested heavily for the students’ scholarships.
The President spoke with great pride about the government’s concern on the education of the country’s youths, Prof. Wiesel said.
In calling for the candidates running for Congress and those seeking the presidency, the Nobel Peace Laureate said they should lessen their focus on corruption issues and instead come up with programs that emphasize science and advances in education.
Prof. Wiesel’s visit to the county was in connection with the “Science for Peace” lecture which is part of the ASEAN event series, “Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace,” hosted by the International Peace Foundation.
The International Peace Foundation, based in Austria deals, among others, with research into conflict prevention and strategies for the solution of conflict as well as the promotion of peace activities, understanding and social exchanges between peoples, their cultures, and traditions.
The Science for Peace seeks to understand and act against forces that make for militarism, environmental destruction, and social injustices wherever they may be committed.
Its activities involve research, education, communication, recruitment for membership of like-minded and concerned peoples from a range of academic background and professions.
In the Philippines, the lecture was held at the Yuchengco Auditorium, La Salle University in Manila as part of the ASEAN event which aims “to facilitate and strengthen dialogue and communication between societies in Southeast Asia.”
