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Science for Society
Minister, representatives from the partner countries, distinguished guests.
I am proud to join you today in what is a historic milestone for European research.
This ground-breaking event for the European Spallation Source is a great celebration. The European Spallation Source – sometimes described as the world’s largest microscope – will be a science tool, playing an essential role in addressing great societal challenges.
From better medicine to new energy sources. From new material for planes and ships to more efficient wind turbines.
The research results obtained from ESS will contribute to prosperity, jobs and growth. And it will raise the competitiveness for an innovation driven economy in Europe.
It is science for society.
Patience, persistence and visions
The story of the European Spallation Source is a story of patience, persistence and great visions.
The idea of ESS was first raised more than 20 years ago.
Back in 2009, the decision was taken to place ESS here in Lund.
Today we celebrate the ground-breaking of the facility. And by the end of the decade it will be operational.
ESS has evolved to meet the scientific demand for facilities that are beyond the capability of individual nations or institutions in scope and complexity.
And it is noteworthy that many of the agreements on ESS are made at a time when the economies of EU countries were under pressure.
It is fantastic that so many European nations are coming together to jointly finance a future project of this magnitude.
And even though politicians would always like to be known as visionaries - this is not always the case in real life. But we have succeeded with ESS.
ESS is a historic culmination of joint efforts by many partners present here today. We are indeed celebrating our patience, persistence and great visions today.
Historic effort
Allow me shortly to revisit the past – in fact a few hundred years ago – when another great research effort was underway.
In 1576, the Danish King Frederik the Second granted the island of Hven to the scientist Tycho Brahe. The king ensured Brahe that he had the funding to build Uranienborg on the island.
The observatory was the focal point for Tycho Brahe’s research of space, the planets and the stars.
There are many good reasons to compare Brahe’s Uranienborg with the European Spallation Source.
Firstly, Uranienborg was a very fine example of outstanding research infrastructure in its day.
Secondly, it functioned as a gathering point for researchers from all over Europe.
Thirdly - think back to Tycho Brahe sitting in his observatory looking at the gigantic phenomena taking place in the vastness of space.
And then think how the ESS will function as a super microscope to examine phenomena so small that the human brain can barely comprehend it. You can examine the tinniest of things. But the results have the potential to be astronomical.
Finally, we should also remember that Hven – just as ESS - lies in the heart of the Øresund Region uniting Sweden and Denmark.
The ESS research facility here in Lund and the Data Management and Software Center in Copenhagen.
The observatory on Hven was an important infrastructure for the leading scientists of that time. Not only for the Scandinavian countries but to Europe and the world.
As I am convinced the European Spallation Source will be for our future.
It will cement the status of the Øresund Region as a leading region for biotechnology research.
Patience, persistence and visions are prerequisites for achieving great results. And we have lived up to them here today.
But there is much more to do.
If we are to fully utilise ESS, then many ventures and committed collaborations between universities, businesses and the ministry are needed. We need dialogue and bridge-building. I encourage everyone to get involved so we can kickstart a good development and utilise the fantastic potential that ESS offers.
So we can discover new scientific breakthroughs. So we can create new industries and jobs. So that we may achieve science for society.
Let me conclude by thanking all those who have taken part in the creation of the European Spallation Source.
The partner countries, the regions, the Board of ESS, ESS organisation and management and the European Commission.
This is a great celebration. This is a day to remember.
And I congratulate European and Scandinavian science.
Thank you.