Leopoldina news 2_2025 | Page 11

2 / 2025 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS 11

SCIENCE AND CULTURE TO BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN GERMANY AND ISRAEL

German-Israeli diplomatic relations have demonstrated that science and culture can build bridges between people even after historical catastrophes such as the Shoah. The 60th anniversary was celebrated on 26 May with a ceremony at the Leopoldina headquarters in Halle( Saale)/ Germany. Speaking to over 200 guests from the fields of science, education, culture, politics, business and civil society, Leopoldina President, Bettina Rockenbach ML, emphasised the broad scope of bilateral cooperation. She believes this is worth preserving and strengthening further – due to a shared history and unique relationship. The event, which was organised jointly with the State Chancellery of Saxony-Anhalt, highlighted the role that science, culture and youth exchange programmes play in increasing understanding and improving diplomatic relations – as exemplified by Ángel Rubio ML( Max Planck Institute Hamburg / Germany), Sharon Golan( UNESCO World Heritage“ White City”, Tel Aviv / Israel) and Werner Möller( Bauhaus Dessau Foundation / Germany).

In view of the tense situation in the Middle East, Bettina Rockenbach ML reaffirmed the Leopoldina‘ s solidarity with Israeli science. She spoke against calls for a boycott and antisemitism at universities and beyond. Israel‘ s Ambassador, Ron Prosor, Israel‘ s Academy President David Harel( photo) and Saxony-Anhalt‘ s Minister President Reiner Haseloff also emphasised the importance of factual, differentiated debates. Haseloff explained that Israel‘ s right to exist and its security are irrevocable – and at the same time that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip needs to be improved quickly and for the long term.

■ LB / Image: Markus Scholz | Leopoldina

The Academy of Science of South Africa takes the lead

Science20( S20) was launched in South Africa at the end of February 2025. The Leopoldina was represented at the opening conference in Pretoria by Vice President Ulla Bonas ML.

Academy of Science of South Africa( ASSAf), the National Academies of the G20 countries are developing science-based recommendations on the topic of“ Climate change and health”. Members of the Leopoldina are actively involved. The S20 summit along with the handover of the joint statement to the South African G20 presidency will take place in Pretoria in September 2025. The summit of heads of state and government will take place in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November.

The G20 Chief Science Advisors Roundtable( CSAR), an exchange forum for the chief science advisors of the G20 countries, was also set up in 2023. In coordination with the German government, former President Gerald Haug ML represented Germany at this roundtable. President Bettina Rockenbach ML will represent Germany in 2025 in continuation of this initiative. The National Advisory Council on Innovation( NACI) is responsible for coordination on the South African side.

Topics include fair access to knowledge to allow open science and greater consideration of Africa‘ s role in the G20’ s research and innovation initiatives. A first preparatory meeting took place in Pretoria at the end of April. A meeting of the Chief Science Advisors is planned for September in Pretoria. ■ CHW

G20 policy advice

Academies discuss“ Genome Editing”

eopoldina and the Académie des

The context is that in Germany and France, the use of genome editing on crop plants is considered controversial not only by the general public, but there are also concerns about this topic within the scientific community too. Around 20 German and French experts from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities discussed these areas of concern and possible solutions.

Leopoldina Vice-President, Ulla Bonas ML, and Francis-André Wollmann, Vice-President for International Relations of the Académie des science, were responsible for scientific coordination.

■ DS