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The European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth also stated that this year’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Maria Skłodowskia-Curie’s Nobel Prize is the perfect opportunity to promote science and research projects among the general public.
The participants of the event were also welcomed by the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Barbara Kudrycka: ‘I am really proud that we can all meet here. I hope that this conference will be a foundation for many significant and important initiatives,’ said the Minister.
 
‘Science – Passion, Mission, Commitment’ is the motto of this year’s 15th - jubilee congress of beneficiaries of, ‘Marie Curie Actions,’ academic mobility research grants. It is one of the most important research and scientific events of the Polish Presidency. For the past 15 years the, ‘Marie Curie Actions,’ grant programme has supported the international exchange of researchers and their training at all stages of their research careers. Since 1996, the programme has given about 50 thousand of Europe’s best young researchers an opportunity to develop their talents in research institutes, universities and enterprises throughout Europe and across the world.

In the 7th EU Framework Programme, the programme’s budget exceeded 4.7 billion Euros. Between 2007 and 2011 over 5 thousand research projects, worth a total of 1.87 billion Euros, were financed by the programme. ‘That’s ten’s of thousands of research grant beneficiaries – just imagine the positive effect such research networking has,’ said Commissioner Vassiliou.

Over the next two days, the researchers and invited guests will discuss issues related to: the economic crisis, food safety, biodiversity, energy security, and climate change. ‘It is no coincidence that the capital of Poland was chosen to host this conference. This is the birth place of Maria Skłodowska-Curie, whose passion and energy as well as responsibility and mission in science are well known in Europe and the rest of the world,’ emphasised Prof. Kudrycka. She also added that the career of the Polish scientist is an example to researchers from all over Europe. ‘Such meetings as this one are designed to help young researchers so that they can follow, with pride, in Maria Skłodowska-Curie’s footsteps,’ said Minister Kudrycka. Professor Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, spoke in similar tones. In his message recorded for the participants of the symposium, he said: ‘Science is a duty and a responsibility. Let the motto of this conference determine the right direction of your research careers because the future of Europe depends on you.’

The issue of expanding cooperation between researchers and business people also came up during the conference’s opening discussion.
‘We want doctoral students to be able to meet the requirements of industry and business,’ said Commissioner Vassiliou.  Minister Kudrycka added that it is crucial to create an industrial PhD. ‘This degree will offer the opportunity for closer and more effective cooperation between researchers and business people,’ said the Minister

The afternoon session, entitled ‘Towards the Nobel Prize,’ with the participation of  Mr.Michael Sohlman, from the Nobel Foundation, aroused great interest among the participants. In this session, Professor Sohlman revealed the secrets behind the selection of future Nobel Prize winners. He also outlined, how, this most prestigious prize helps to encourage crucial achievements and discoveries.

This year’s congress was organized by: the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the European Commission and the Polish National Contact Point for EU Research Programmes (KPK). The event is held under the honorary patronage of the President of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski.