22. September 2006 11:48
The European Science Foundation officially inaugurates its new buildings
Nobel Laureate Jean-Marie Lehn, the Mayor of Strasbourg Mme Fabienne Keller and the President of the Urban Community of Strasbourg, M. Robert Grossmann attended the official inauguration of the European Science Foundation’s newly refurbished Marnésia building in a ceremony held on September 22 at 12pm.
Thanks to the combined contributions of the City of Strasbourg, the Urban Community of Strasbourg, the Regional Council, and the Departmental Council, the European Science Foundation (ESF) now boasts state-of-the-art meeting rooms, sleek and modern office facilities, full disability access and a recently re-laid garden. In addition, since 2004, a second building was made available to the ESF on Rue du Parchemin.
The Foundation’s President, Professor Ian Halliday, and CEO, Professor Bertil Andersson made presentations at a ceremony where the ESF celebrated and thanked the local authorities for their support.
Commenting on the inauguration, Professor Andersson said, “The European Science Foundation is proud to continue its collaboration and positive interaction with the City of Strasbourg which has supported us since our inception in 1974. With its deserved reputation as the Capital of Europe, Strasbourg is the ideal location for an organisation such as ours whose mission is to promote pan-European co-operation in all aspects of scientific endeavour”.
The Foundation’s story began 32 years ago, when co-founder Jean-Pierre Roth - who will also be attending the event - made the case for an organisation that would act as a catalyst for the advancement of European science by bringing together the continent’s leading scientists and funding agencies.
Thanks to the largesse of former Strasbourg Mayor Pierre Pflimlin, the dream soon became a reality. Under his direction, the Municipality of Strasbourg donated part of the historic Marnésia building for the nascent scientific organisation to occupy rent-free, alongside offices for the City of Strasbourg, the International Institute of Human Rights and Anciens Combattants.
With the help of these current developments the Foundation will continue to advance European science for many more years to come.
Bertil Andersson
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 76 71 16
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 36 69 45
Nathalie Karamanoukian
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 76 71 12
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 76 71 80
