Why Geneva ?

After a 2007 conference in Istanbul, on the crossroads of two continents, after a 2008 conference in a lovely Dubrovnik, both nurtured by late summer temperatures we can ask ourselves what we would like to seek in a city called Geneva. The few words underneath may inspire us apart from the outstanding program prepared by the Scientific Committee and the conference facilities negotiated by our Swiss Colleagues and the other members of the Local Organising Committee.

When arriving in the airport or driving to the centre, we get the impression of a small city as compared to Istanbul. As the weather conditions are concerned, the month of November will not bring us the nice warmth we enjoyed in Dubrovnik. Instead we get an important part of particular history. We sniff the international atmosphere on a peculiar way encountering all kind of nationalities in the streets. We feel the openness of the Lac Leman at the place where it is squeezed into the Rhone River again. We see the snow tops at the horizon, announcing the winter ski season. We are admiring technique and art when strolling through the streets with shops full of watches. Small streets with restaurants and pubs invite us to taste Switzerland through wines and spirits, cheese, fish meat, fruit and vegetables originating from Swiss territory (even the bread at McDonalds is Swiss made!).

Geneva hosts more than 200 international organizations. Not so far away from the conference centre, the United Nations ‘Palais des Nations' is well situated in a green area. In front of the building an immense broken chair is asking our attention for all those innocent victims of landmines. In the neighbourhood of the United Nations Palace we will find the building of the High Commissioner of Refugees and Unicef. After a good day of listening to lectures or discussing during the workshops we will enjoy a walk on the lakeside, admiring the big fountain pushing the water up to 140m high. It dominates the view of the lake since 1891.

This year is the 500th birthday of Jean Calvin, one of the founders of Protestantism in Europe. As from 1536 on he deployed his activities in Geneva, the city became an attraction pool for Protestants who fled the curses by the contemporary catholic church: people from France, the Netherlands and even Scotland were seeking protection. Very quickly Geneva emerged as a city where freedom of speech and faith were highly valued. Geneva: a city with freedom of speech: all we need as scientists!

Gert Laekeman
Past-president ESCP