The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, attended the Zois, Ambassador of Science and 2006 Puh awards ceremony. In his honorary speech he stressed the significance of fostering an environment which encourages creativity, awards it, and sees fresh ideas as a competitive advantage.

 

Photo: Grega Wernig/Salomon 2000

 

The PM said that Slovenia is not only a nation of poets, writers, and culture, but also a nation of good scientists, researchers, and engineers, as the frontiers of science are quickly being pushed back also due to the work of Slovenes. "Many of our fellow citizens have proven to be excellent scientists and inventors, and it is right for us to emphasise this fact on an evening such as this," said the PM, going on to mention some of the Slovenes who have significantly contributed to different scientific fields. "Their common denominator is their love of science, which all tonight's award-winners also share. Something which takes hold of you in a second and stays with you for the rest of your life," added the PM.

 

Photo: Grega Wernig/Salomon 2000

 

 

According to the PM, the Slovenian government is committed to increasing R & D funds, as this is the only way to improve research facilities at universities, increase the number of early stage researchers, and co-finance new high-tech companies. "Tax relief on investment in R & D is one of the measures aimed at achieving closer collaboration between companies, researchers, and research institutes."

 

 

He also stressed the ethical issues that researchers often encounter in their work, and added that ethics helped us determine the limits of what is still permissible, both in science itself and in its application. "But with this in mind, we need to exercise prudent caution, so as not to inhibit in science that which may one day prove beneficial to us," explained Mr Janša.

 

 

"We Slovenes have proved on many occasions that we can push back the boundaries, that we are not afraid of new challenges. I hope this mindset will persist in the future. One needs to trust and take risks." According to the PM, Slovenia's economic development enables us to set ourselves high and ambitious goals, as only boldness and know-how can lift us above the average. "Today's Zois award winners have taken risks and they will continue to do so. They have demonstrated with their research that it is important to be persistent, to have trust – not only in science, but also in oneself," said the PM in conclusion.