Petra IV: Reaching for
New Economic, Scientific and Educational
Horizons
Fourth Conference of Nobel Laureates
June 17 - 19, 2008
PETRA, JORDAN
Amman, Jordan and New York, NY (May
12, 2008) – Advancing access to science
education as a critical driver of economic
growth and social progress, will be the central
topic at the conference of Nobel Laureates this
spring. More than 30 Nobel Laureates will meet
in Petra, Jordan, from June 17-19 to lend their
insights to addressing this issue. The attendees
also will consider the best learning and
teaching strategies that are already being
implemented in worldwide education.
His Majesty King Abdullah II and Elie Wiesel,
who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, will
co-host the event. While the focus this year is
on science education, economics and drivers of
growth, among the attendees are Nobel Laureates
from all six fields in which the Nobel Prize is
awarded each year – peace, economics,
literature, physics, chemistry and medicine.
They are expected to be joined by other eminent
guests representing media, business and
educational institutions worldwide.
King Abdullah welcomed the convention of the
conference for the fourth time, describing it as
a unique opportunity for the region's youth.
"The knowledge and experience the participants
impart is making a substantial contribution to
the nurturing of young leaders throughout our
region," he said, adding that he also looked
forward to the operational launch of the Middle
East Science Fund initiated by the conference
organizers last year.
Other sessions during this year's conference
will address the global finance crisis, food
security, health, energy and the environment.
There will be several presentations by Nobel
Laureates at the event and the format is one of
sharing, debating and then coming to common
ground on workable strategies to adopt. A tone
of urgency and creative collaboration are the
hallmarks of the event, together with a
widely-held conviction that many of the problems
facing the world are eminently solvable, if
there is the political and intellectual will to
persist.
“Like evil, goodness, too, is contagious.
Whatever one undertakes somewhere, will affect
people elsewhere," said Professor Wiesel. "When
human beings agonize in a small, remote village
barely apparent on the map, their tears and
muffled cries wound our collective conscience.
It is to their call that we, scientists and
educators, writers and industrialists,
journalists, researchers and philanthropists,
physicians and statesmen, must respond. This is
what brings us back to Petra.”
Among this year's participants in the three-day
conference are the Dalai Lama, former Soviet
leader Mikhail Gorbachev, President of Croatia
Stjepan Mesic and President of Senegal and
Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference Abdoulaye Wade.
For more information:
-
www.petranobel.org
-
About The King Abdullah II Fund for
Development
The King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD)
was established in 2001 as a
non-governmental organization working to
provide all segments of the Jordanian
community, particularly the underprivileged,
with new and innovative economic
opportunities that can improve living
standards.
www.kafd.jo
-
About The Elie Wiesel Foundation for
Humanity
Elie Wiesel and his wife, Marion,
established The Elie Wiesel Foundation for
Humanity soon after he was awarded the 1986
Nobel Prize for Peace. The Foundation's
mission is to combat indifference,
intolerance and injustice through
international dialogue and youth-focused
programs that promote acceptance,
understanding and equality.
www.eliewieselfoundation.org
Contacts
The King Abdullah II Fund for Development
Osama Salameh
+962 777001727
osalameh@rhc.jo
Shaza Moghraby
+962 776501660
smoghraby@rhc.jo
The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
Elan Steinberg
+1-212-490-7788 (office)
+1-646-431-8851 (cell)
elanst@gmail.com
Press Contact
Alayne Reesberg
+44(0)207 801 9558 (office)
+44(0)7502 254 804 (cell)
Alayne.reesberg@reesbergpartners.com
