ARTICLES
Kavli IPMU Director Hitoshi Murayama Gives Speech at UN Headquarters
Date of activity: October 20, 2014
Director Hitoshi Murayama of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe gave a speech at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on October 20th (Mon). His speech was part of the "Science for Peace and Development" event, which was organized by the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Switzerland and France, and was also one of the events held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
Director Murayama said "I firmly believe that basic scientific research is a true peacemaker for humankind." He used examples of CERN, that brought together scientists from nations in the midst of the Cold War or even active wars and let them work peacefully, and SESAME, a light source in Jordan being constructed by the collaboration of Israel, Iran, the Palestinian Authority and other nations. He emphasized that the basic scientific research, such as solving the mysteries of the Universe, is a common goal for the humankind, and "The awe of the beautiful universe makes differences in cultures, languages, colors, genders, religions, and ideologies simply disappear."
This event was opened by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Director Murayama spoke following speeches by Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Professor Carlo Rubbia, Nobel Laureate in Physics. To view the full text of the speech, please use this link.
Related links:
University of California Berkeley
Kavli Foundation
Director Murayama speaking 
Picture of the chamber during the event
