Introduction by the Chairperson of the Executive Board, H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Sameh Amr:
Ambassador Mohamed Sameh Amr, on behalf of the Executive Board expressed his gratitude to the L’Oréal Foundation for its support to gender equality in science. He then congratulated all five laureates of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Prize, stressing that by receiving this prize it would facilitate an increase in the recognition of the achievements made by women scientists throughout the world. He said that their “experiences can serve as concrete examples to help inspire other young women who follow in your footsteps.” In the meantime, he emphasized that UNESCO’s For Women in Science Programme by mentioning that it “promotes excellence and provides opportunities for budding young women scientists to aspire to greater heights in their research.” Finally, he mentioned the historic nature of this meeting, noting that it is the first time ever that all five winners were gathered together to speak to UNESCO’s governing body, noting that all UNESCO prizes are approved and established by the Executive Board of UNESCO.
Intervention by Mr. Qunli HAN, Director of the Division of Ecological and Earch Sciences, and Representative of the Director-General:
Mr. Han, on behalf of the Director-General expressed his gratitude to the L’Oréal Foundation for its continued support to UNESCO’s programmes, and outlined, in broad strokes the basis of the longstanding cooperation between the two organizations, which is based on a shared vision for women in science. Calling the L’Oréal Foundation “a flagship partner of UNESCO”, he said that UNESCO’s partnership with L’Oréal was one based on long-term cooperation, “inspired by our shared objective to promote the role and participation of women in science.” Mr Han mentioned that this meeting is especially important during this year when it celebrates its 70th anniversary, but also at a time when the international community is turning towards the elaboration of a post-2015 sustainable development agenda. He said that “the sciences and gender equality must have a central place in the new agenda.” And reinforced this necessity by stating that: “To forge new paths to sustainable development and lasting peace, we must nurture the full power of the sciences and gender equality, to ensure progress for all, especially the underprivileged and most vulnerable members of society.” He congratulated the laureates, calling them “role models” and invited each “to mentor, nurture and support young women starting out in their scientific careers.”
Finally, the Chairperson introduced each of the laureates, and invited them to share their experiences with Members present.
Presentations by each of the Five Laureates of the 2015 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Prize
Laureate for Latin America
Professor Thaisa Storchi Bergmann is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, BRAZIL. She is being honored for her outstanding work leading to the understanding of how massive black holes form in the centers of galaxies, evolve and shape them.
She recalled the souvenir of her chemistry teacher in high school who inspired her career path on science although her original objective was to be an architect. She kept this dream alive and pursued this path in university. She shared with the Members the difficulties she perceived for women scientists in balancing work and family by telling her own story, which lead her to point out the need to raise awareness for equal conditions. She said that receiving this prize, helps to “bring a better ability for women in science, and inspiring young women”. In Brazil, she mentioned that there were good programmes for women scientists at the higher education level. However, she noted that difficulties are present at the level of basic education, where many teachers from middle and high school are not well-treated. She called this issue an urgent one, because these teachers are the ones who form new generations, noting that the initial level of education is best way to promote change.
Laureate for Africa and the Arab States
Professor Rajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli is a professor of High Energy Physics and Nuclear Physics at the Mohammed V - Agdal University of Rabat, MOROCCO. She is honored for her key contribution to the effort that led to the detection of the Higgs Boson, the particle responsible for the creation of mass in the universe.
She noted that some of the women scientists have to abandon their career because of family affairs. In her country, more and more girls feel independent, but they are not treated as equal as boys in their family. The Women for Future program is essential to address this problem which enable the families to change their visions on girls. She will keep supporting girls who have interests in science and want to pursue career in science whatever their backgrounds and religions. Lastly, she mentioned that great financial support in universities is also necessary at the current stage. She would like to thanks for the supports from her colleagues and family, and hope the cooperation among nations will continue.
Laureate for Asia-Pacific
Professor Yi Xie is a professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Science & Technology of China, in Hefei, CHINA. She is honored for her significant contributions to creating new materials a few atoms thick with promising applications in conversion of heat or sunlight into electricity.
She pointed out that although there is no link between genders in science, women usually face more difficulties than men, saying that they need more encouragements and role models. The L’Oréal-UNESCO programme has helped to promote both. In China, support for women scientists has been enhanced by the government. However, she noted that Chinese families place fewer expectations on girls than boys, so it is easier for women to abandon their pursuits after lengthy studies because they think they must invest more time on families. This opinion lead lots of women scientists in China to give up their career path. That’s why the percentage of top women scientists in all is less than the percentage of top female students in school. Therefore, she would like to help more girls to develop their interests in science since science is truly worth to study.
Laureate for Europe
Professor Dame Carol Robinson is a professor of Physical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry at the University of Oxford, UNITED KINGDOM. She is honored for creating a revolutionary method for studying how proteins function, particularly membrane proteins, which play a vital role in many life processes.
She was able to explain that she left school in sixteen years of age and worked for industrial firms for several years, while she attended school on a part-time basis in the evening. She also mentioned that she took an exceptionally long break of eight years in order to raise her three children. While it was difficult for her to return to work in the sciences, after such a long break, she did manage a comeback. Despite needing to overcome the obstacle of competing with people who were much younger, as they did not take such career breaks. Because of such difficulties, she was encouraged to start a programme at Oxford for women who want to return to science research.
Laureate for North America
Professor Molly S. Shoichet is a professor of Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, in Ontario, CANADA. She is honored for her pioneering approach to biomaterial development to regenerate damaged nerve tissue and for her development of a new method to deliver drugs to the spinal cord and brain.
While emphasizing the importance of science, she pointed out the challenge now is to increase public understanding of what scientists are doing and how their research impacts them. Her career was also inspired by her high school chemistry teacher as well as her family – which she thanked. It was at university where she was given opportunities to advance, in areas for which she was unaware previously. She expressed the need to encourage women and men to take risks in science – as a means of sparking innovation, and described the advances she has made by applying medical sciences to biology. She emphasized that the only way to make changes is to work cooperatively, noting that UNESCO is a great platform for people who want share their ideas. Lastly, she stated that she started a social-media campaign, which aims to tell the public what she is doing in her research with a view to opening up to the public their discussion to engage.
After each of the Laureates had an opportunity to share their experiences with the Members of the Executive Board of UNESCO, the Chairperson also took the opportunity to introduce the 15 promising young scientists, who have been recognized as “International Rising Talents”. This recognition is to help encourage them to continue in their research, which is acknowledged as being capable of potentially changing the world. This is a new initiative of the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO that began this year. Seizing this opportunity, one of the scientists from Denmark stated that the world is changing so rapidly that the future is not predictable, whereas instead of encouraging youth into the field of economy, we need to inspire them to be more creative and innovative.
Question and Answer Session with Members of the Executive Board of UNESCO
Following the speech by five laureates, the Chairperson opened the floor for a question and answer session. Delegations discussed the topics as following:
Effective strategies for schools at the lower level to promote science education in developing countries, especially in Africa.
The representatives of Gambia, Togo and Turkey asked Ms. Moursli and Ms. Thaisa what an effective strategy for lower level school students could be to interact with science and prepare youngsters to pursue a career path in science. To supplement her question, the representative of Gambia illustrated that in the developing world, while girls are encouraged to study science, the level of engagements is still small because greater emphasis is places on business interests. Meanwhile, the representative of Uganda suggested that UNESCO and L’Oréal pay greater attention on Africa, with a view to build capacity for science education. Moreover, the representative asked Professor Xie about China’s efforts to support women scientist in Africa. Professor Bergmann, suggested that the best way that UNESCO could collaborate was to ensure more support was given to women teachers. She asked that more investments were given to them, for example through fellowships, etc. Professor Moursli mentioned that in Morocco scientific clubs were established in some schools to help girls build greater interest in science. She said that it was necessary to instill such interest at a very early age.
Diversity and common characteristics of the laureates:
The representative of France pointed out that while all five laureates have their own specialties, they all share a common feature beyond the obvious differences. That commonality is their aspiration to become a young female scientist. He suggested that they keep their passion and that they raise further awareness of their achievement in science so that no one will be surprised to see women win prizes in science in the future. He asked each to share any advice they may have with future women scientists. Professor Shoichet pointed out that science enhancement is built on idea-exchanging, where UNESCO might have programmes for countries to approach opinions from different perspectives. Meanwhile, it’s important to encourage researchers from developing countries to bring back their knowledge to their home countries, which her two Brazilian students have been encouraged to do so. This was her recommendations to all of the scientists.
Maintaining balance between work and family for women scientists; the ways China use to encourage women scientists.
The representative from China asked Professor Xie how she balanced life between work and family, and what suggestions she may have to help motivate students to do scientific research. The representative of Togo requested further information on how China supports women scientists. Professor Xie said that she thought balancing work and family is not a critical issue for her, as her family gives her much support. In terms of motivating students, she replied that she always like to communicate with students and to answer questions on their studies, even personal lives, in order to encourage them keep their motivation high. She said that organizations in China, such as National Scientific Foundation, did a variety of supporting works in order to benefit women scientists. The government as well, takes well consideration to provide more chances and support for women scientists.
Impact of the prize for winners’ future career
The representative of Morocco, while praising Professor Moursli for her achievement, asked the laureates how winning this prize will impact their future careers. Professor Bergmann said that winning this prize is very important for their future careers, since it brings a large influence to the public especially in Brazil. Since winning, she has been invited to several interviews and presentations, which truly improved the recognition and understanding of her work from the public. Finally, she suggested governments and organizations should continue to advocate for support to women scientists who have children and to educate children in the sciences as young as possible. Additionally, Ms.Shoichet mentioned that Professor Robinson’s achievement will encourage women and mothers to keep a passion for science. She mentioned that this prize will also support them to balance their personal life and professional work.
Ways of dealing with obstacles in their research
The Representative of the United States asked how they overcome the challenges they face in the pursuit of their research. Professor Shoichet said there is no easy ways to conquer the difficulties. They have to work hard, to raise more attentions and to encourage more young women to pursue science despite the challenges they may face.