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Dear hosts
Dear scientists
Ladies and gentlemen
I want to begin by thanking the organisers of this major conference. When I stand here looking at all of you, I suddenly understand why they call it big science
Thanks to the European Spallation Source, MAX IV and Aarhus University for uniting us all here in Copenhagen.
The cosmos around us is a multitude of unanswered questions. How did the Universe arise? Why does it expand? And does it ever end?
Thanks to science we are able to get closer to unravelling the mysteries of cosmos.
A couple of weeks ago, I visited CERN in Switzerland. It made me realise, how dedicated you scientists are to finding the pieces in the great puzzle we call the universe.
As Stephen Hawking once said:
“Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.”
The man is right. As he often is, I might add.
Your tireless searching for the unknown is not only driven by reason. It is also driven by a passion to find new answers. New discoveries. New explanations to the world.
Your passion is for the benefit of society
Your passion is our gain.
Not only do you help us understand the world better. Your work also plays a role in addressing various challenges in our society.
A unique scientific tool like the ESS has the potential to address future challenges like lifestyle diseases, climate change and various food challenges. ESS is the world's largest super microscope. The microscope can study phenomena so small that the human brain can barely understand it.
If successfully done, the experiments at ESS will enable us to produce better medicine, make new energy solutions and create stronger materials for planes and ships.
Your work makes a difference. It takes time.
But basic research is not about speed. It is about going new places, gaining new knowledge.
Therefore, it is a privilege that your community has chosen Denmark as the place for your 8th International Accelerator Conference.
You bring knowledge, network and international experience to Denmark.
Input from you can lead to valuable acquaintances between the scientists here and the global accelerator community.
Denmark, a happy country and much more
Hopefully, some of you will also find that Denmark and Scandinavia is a good place to invest, find employment and conduct research.
The establishment of ESS and Max IV in Lund makes Copenhagen and southern Sweden an internationally leading hub for research in all types of materials.
I noticed in the invitation that you refer to Denmark as one of the happiest places on earth. Well, ok…
But I am even more proud about the fact that Denmark is one of the leaders in Europe when it comes to innovation.
We are performing well in all dimensions of the EU Innovation Scoreboard.
In particular when it comes to entrepreneurship, attractive research systems and intellectual assets.
That makes me happy as a minister and proud as a Dane. And surprised when I walk into Parliament…
Denmark is also one of the most successful countries in the EU Horizon 2020-programme.
However, we cannot rely solely on a good ranking. We must always strive to improve our common future. My passion as the minister for Higher Education and Science is to reinstate society’s respect for science and knowledge.
So people understand that solid facts and science are essential to addressing the possibilities of tomorrow.
So we work hard to spread knowledge from the knowledgeable to the population.
We work hard to improve our education and research system. And we invest heavily in new research infrastructures in order to build a foundation for growth and development.
Come together…
Until now, European facilities have mostly engaged with industry individually. There is a great untapped potential here.
And therefore we have taken initiative to set up the first pan–European Big Science Business Forum in Copenhagen next year.
The Forum will promote the Big Science facilities to various companies by presenting the most important business opportunities within the field in the years to come.
It will be a unique opportunity for both the companies and the particle accelerator scientists. I love that title, by the way.
I thus hope to see several of you back in Copenhagen - in less than a year from now.
Welcome!
Researchers in your field – both past and present – have in many ways shaped and defined the way we see and understand the universe today.
“The future doesn’t belong to the lighthearted. It belongs to the brave”
So said former US president, Ronald Reagan.
You are brave.
I am confident that your dedication to research will bring big science to be even bigger in the years to come.
I hope your week here in Copenhagen will be filled by reason - and I might add - hopefully some passion as well.
Warmly welcome to this year’s IPAC.
Thank you for your attention.