Het Koninklijk Huis
Toespraak van de Prins van Oranje tijdens de bijzondere zitting van de
Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen in de Beurs van Berlage te
Amsterdam, 23 september 2010
De toespraak is uitgesproken in het Engels.
Distinguished laureates, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Two weeks ago I gave a speech at the neighbours; the Amsterdam Stock
Exchange. I asked how we would be earning a living in the Netherlands
30 years from now. Needless to say, there are far too many unknowns to
give a definite answer to this question. At the same time, it should be
possible to make an informed guess at the main drivers of innovation
and economic growth in the future. And we should be able to identify
key uncertainties that are crucial in determining the outcome.
The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, the CPB, has done
just that. It is hardly surprising that they concluded that what made a
place like Amsterdam successful in the past - a combination of smart
people and vibrancy - may prove to be just as essential, if not more
so, in 2040. The future belongs to educated citizens, who distribute
tasks as efficiently as possible. And in vibrant cities they can
interact with others and benefit from their knowledge and inspiration.
Building on this theme, the CPB developed scenarios exploring what our
common future may look like. Imagine for instance, that computer
technology rendered all human interaction virtual, and work processes
were divided into individual tasks. In such a world, location would
become truly irrelevant, and workers could live in secure communities
with self-contained companies, Stockholm-style.
But what if bio and nanotechnology really broke through, and knowledge
became more easily available? In that case, people would probably
cluster together in centrifugal megacities - Shanghai-style - to
develop these new technologies together, and to apply them more widely,
benefiting from the proximity and inspiration of others.
These are only two possible scenarios; others are equally feasible. But
they are not about predicting the future. They are about identifying
those key uncertainties that determine the way ahead, and that can be
influenced by man.
Possibly the ultimate key factor that will help determine our future -
the greatest unknown of all - is the future of knowledge: scientific
and technological development. All too often, we are not sufficiently
aware that practically everything depends on the results of scientific
research and will continue to do so in the future.
Knowledge is the only material that expands with use, the only form of
energy that increases as it is consumed. This holds true for science
with its emphasis on meticulous research and empirical results, and
also for art, the product of emotion, intuition and creativity. Both
essentially begin with research and design; both are carried along by
wonder and inspiration; both sometimes lead to feelings of despair and
frustration. Intuition and creativity are at least as important to the
scientist as they are to the artist, while technical skill and a
theoretical basis are as indispensable to the artist as they are to the
scientist. Together, they underpin and shape human development.
So it is crucial that both science and art should continue to appeal to
talented young people, and that the wonders of their results should
become accessible to larger groups of people.
The President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences,
Robbert Dijkgraaf, insists that science and scholarship depend on young
researchers, who jump in at the deep end and sometimes make the biggest
discoveries. Professor Dijkgraaf drove this point home by introducing
young scientists and their work in a popular TV show, and by recording
CDs that explain the wonders of science to young children.
In science, as in art, the individual continually needs to develop, to
have new experiences, to explore undiscovered, imaginary worlds.
Science needs students who consider research a challenge, who want to
learn about the world, who are intrigued by things both microscopic and
gigantic, close to home and far away in space, long ago and in the
future. Students who see learning as an exciting, enriching journey,
with high points and low points, satisfaction and delight.
That is why I am so pleased to see that from now on, in addition to the
existing Heineken Prizes, five outstanding young scientists will be
presented with special Heineken awards for their achievements.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Heineken Prizes are awarded to outstanding and inspiring scientists
and artists. The fact that twelve Heineken laureates have subsequently
won a Nobel Prize shows that the Heineken jury has a keen eye for
talent. To the laureates I say: you should be proud - we are extremely
proud of you!
A special word of admiration is due to the Royal Academy, and -
especially - to Charlene De Carvalho-Heineken, chair of the Alfred
Heineken Fondsen Foundation. I would like to thank her for the way she
has continued her father's project, and consolidated this greatly
respected tradition. The fact that we honour scientists and artists
alike is an integral element of his vision.
Today, we are continuing our efforts to achieve broader recognition of
scientific endeavour by presenting awards to two generations of
scientists. We are acknowledging the work of both the torch-bearers,
and those to whom they will be passing on the torch - and who, in
their turn, will pass it on to others.
For those scientists and artists who will shape the world of tomorrow,
I would like to recall the words of the great American educator and
philosopher, Howard Thurman: "Don't ask yourself what the world needs.
Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because
what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Thank you.
* © RVD