News & Views item - April 2010

 

 

Royal Society Awards King Charles II Medal to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (April 3, 2010)

This past Thursday the Royal Society awarded German Chancellor Angela Merkel its King Charles II Medal "for her extraordinary contributions to the promotion of science and science in society. Chancellor Merkel is recognised not only for her role in supporting science in Germany but also for the leadership she has provided on the European and world stages in promoting science based policy making over issues such as climate change".

 

Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, speaking at the award ceremony said: "As a professional scientist herself, Chancellor Merkel has an added insight into the benefits that science and science based decision making have for the economy and the lives of people. In tough economic times she has chosen to boost funding for education and research in Germany by €12 billion by 2013. We are delighted to be able to honour her at a time when international cooperation is becoming ever more important in science and in tackling the major scientific issues that are facing the global population."

 

In its media release the Royal Society noted that Dr Merkel: "studied physics at the University of Leipzig from 1973 to 1978, and went on to work and study at the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences in Berlin-Adlershof, earning her doctorate for her thesis on quantum chemistry. She was previously Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and contributed to the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) Essays on Science and Society, stating, ‘As we approach the end of the 20th century, industrial society is becoming a knowledge-based society. It is vital that we use our growing knowledge and capabilities responsibly, and that we use them in the interest of environmentally appropriate development. Science must play an important role in the pursuit of sustainable development.’ Throughout her Presidency, Chancellor Merkel has continued to support the notion of the knowledge-based society in Germany."

 

According to the RS the medal: "is awarded at the discretion of Council only to foreign Heads of State or Government who have made an outstanding contribution to furthering scientific research in their country. The Medal is awarded only in exceptional circumstances and is normally presented on the occasion of a State Visit."

 

Previous recipients

1998   HM Emperor Akihito of Japan

2007   President APJ Abdul Kalam of India