Helmholtz General Assembly 2020
The Helmholtz General Assembly 2020 took place on 10th October in a streaming format for the first time. Open to everyone! At the beginning, we talked with Federal Minister Anja Karliczek in Berlin about current challenges in science. Afterwards, our corona experts reported on the progress being made in the development of active substances and vaccines. A very special highlight was the return of our research vessel Polarstern from the spectacular arctic expedition MOSAiC to Bremerhaven. Reinhold Messner talked with a crew member about climate change and arctic experiences. Afterwards, researchers discussed the question of how quantum technologies could revolutionize the world. At the end of the annual conference, we honored the winners of the Erwin Schrödinger Prize.
Video recording of the General Assembly
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
After a year in the Arctic, the research icebreaker Polarstern returned to Bremerhaven on 12 October. Image: AWI
The Polarstern was received at the shipyard in Bremerhaven. Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
A look behind the scenes of the annual conference. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Moderator Tatjana Ohm (2nd from left) in conversation with Gérard Krause (HZI), Ulrike Protzer (HMGU) and Gerald Haug (Leopoldina, from left to right) on the topic of global health - what do we now know about the coronavirus? Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Virologist Ulrike Protzer emphasized the interdisciplinary cooperation and the enormous increase in knowledge in coronavirus research. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Epidemiologist Gérard Krause emphasized that the older population in particular must be protected from SARS-CoV-2 - new, creative solutions are needed here. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Leopoldina's president Gerald Haug made it clear that the vaccine must be sought for acceptance as soon as it is available. It is important that many people get vaccinated. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
For the first time, the Helmholtz General Assembly took place as a livestream - open to everyone. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Mountaineer Reinhold Messner, Helmholtz President Otmar Wiestler and ice researcher Christian Haas (from left to right) discussed the significance of the MOSAiC expedition for climate research. Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
The three speakers emphasized that climate change is the greatest global challenge. Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Reinhold Messner explained that climate change is too abstract for many people. However, the MOSAiC expedition could motivate many to react to climate change and take the situation seriously. Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
AWI researcher Christian Haas described the Arctic as an early warning system for climate change. Effects are first visible there. That is why it is so important to research the changes in the Arctic in detail. Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
The former head of the ARD Studio Brussels Rolf-Dieter Krause in conversation with presenter Tatjana Ohm. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Catherine Dubourdieu (HZB), Rolf Dieter Krause and Tommaso Calarco (FZ Jülich, from left to right) discussed how quantum technologies could revolutionize science. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Catherine Dubourdieu emphasized the importance of close cooperation between European countries in the development of quantum technologies. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
The quantum physicist Tommaso Calarco described the great potential of quantum computers. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
The chief moderator of the WELT group Tatjana Ohm led through the Helmholtz annual conference. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Jury member Christine Falk held the laudation for the award of the Erwin Schrödinger Prize 2020. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
The Helmholtz Annual Meeting ended with the award of the Erwin Schrödinger Prize 2020 to an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ruhr University Bochum and the Medical University of Warsaw. Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Image: Hauke Müller Fotografie
Image: Event images Berlin/Andreas Schulz
Programme
Berlin
In conversation
Anja Karliczek, Federal Minister for Education and Research
Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association
Helmholtz Science Talk "Global Health"
Gerald Haug, President of the Leopoldina - National Academy of Sciences
Gérard Krause, Epidemiologist, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Ulrike Protzer, Virologist, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health
Bremerhaven
In conversation Arrival of the Polarstern
Christian Haas, Geophysicist, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
Reinhold Messner, frontiersman, Messner Mountain Movie
Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association
Brüssel
Interview
Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association
Helmholtz Science Talk "Quantum Technologies"
Tommaso Calarco, quantum physicist, Forschungszentrum Jülich
Catherine Dubourdieu, Physicist, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie
Berlin
Award of the Erwin Schrödinger Prize 2020
Laudation: Christine S. Falk (jury member), Hannover Medical School
Conclusion
Moderation: Tatjana Ohm, WELT / Rolf-Dieter Krause, former director ARD-Studio Brüssel
Speakers' Portraits
In focus
