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It is a pleasure and a privilege to open a day of such passion for science.
You could not have chosen a better day than today, the 23rd of June for it.
To those unfamiliar with Danish traditions, I can inform you that we celebrate Sankt Hans eve tonight – by lighting a bonfire with a witch-doll on top of it. Explaining it, I realise we must seem like savages …
However – the tradition is a reminder of a dark chapter in European history: A time when those with unconventional ideas were burnt on the stake. Among them women and men of science.
More STEM, more entrepreneurship
Our modern society is not perfect. But at least we have become wiser.
Today – rather than persecuting women and men of science and innovation – we cherish them.
Because excellent research and education is fundamental to bringing our society well into the future.
And green technology is fundamental to bringing our world well into the future.
Denmark has a proud history of being a frontrunner when it comes to green technology.
It is important that we make an effort to maintain this position.
We need more people with science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills – the so-called “STEM competencies”.
More people with the creativity to see the potential of better solutions – and the mind-set to find these solutions.
More people with the drive to start up their own business projects.
And we will need it even more in years to come. Not just with the drive for green technology but in general.
Persons – like you – with STEM skills and an entrepreneurial mind-set will, on the other hand, have a world of opportunity in front of them.
So whenever I get the chance, I encourage young people to do as you and seek a technical education. And to consider a start-up as a realistic career path. Fortunately, there is increasing public awareness of the potential of STEM.
69 percent more students were admitted to science and engineering bachelor programmes in 2016 than in 2009.
This shall, of course, be seen in the context of a general increase of 43 percent in admittance to higher education programmes in that period.
But still, it is a good development. And I will do my best to reinforce it.
Inspire our youth to STEM
All of you have an opportunity to spur this development, too. You can be role models to other young people who are about to make their choice of education. Communicating your research – and the fascination you feel for it – is the best way to inspire others. And pitching complicated science is no easy thing.
It takes practice – but I am sure you are well aware of this by now ...
Put ideas to use
Communication is, of course, also the key when it comes to realising your ideas.
It is not enough to be a brilliant engineer with a head full of great solutions. If you want investors and business-partners to see the potential of your invention, you need to explain it in a way they understand.
A gap between experts and the people
Moreover, if we do not take care, a gap will occur be-tween the experts and the rest of the people.
The Sankt Hans bonfire is an unsettling reminder of what this historically has led to …
Things will probably not come to that right away …
Thank you very much.