Visita de Bill Clinton ao Pavilhão do Conhecimento

Discurso do Professor Alexandre Quintanilha
30 de Maio, 2000

Mr President,
Sr. Primeiro Ministro,
Distintos Convidados,

As simples regras da nossa cortesia e de "bem receber" encorajaram-me a que eu dirigisse estas palavras de "boas-vindas" no idioma dos nossos convidados.

I wish to thank both you, President Clinton and Prime Minister Guterres for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit our Science Museum and to talk to some of the High School Students, who will, undoubtedly play a major role in building our collective future.

We are all keenly aware of the increasing role that science has and will continue to have in addressing some of the most pressing challenges that we face today (not only concerning Health, but also the Environment, Food Production, Renewable Energy etc..).

Curiously enough, in many cases, the science has already provided answers, but its implementation waits …, too long, for visionary entrepreneurs and politicians to develop the necessary new technologies, and to provide the right incentives for their use on a global scale.

We are well aware of the very special interest that you Mr. President and the First Lady, have devoted to the children and youth of America. In Portugal, a similar effort has been one of the main objectives of the Minister of Science and Technology within the present government.

I share the conviction that:

Attracting our young to science should remain a major priority for those who believe that it is possible to achieve the kind of development that is, not only, global and sustainable, but will continue to challenge the minds of our young, as well as ours.

Your presence here carries a strong message of hope and trust:

• in our young and their unlimited curiosity
• in our science and its ability to innovate
• in our governments and their will to work together

The Science Museum that you just visited was conceived in the spirit of stimulating curiosity for new knowledge.

It was conceived in the same spirit that must have been at the core of what one of your predecessors, Mr. President, wrote in 1820, referring to the foundation of the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson wrote: "This Institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind, for here we are not afraid to follow the truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left to combat it."

Today, as some focus on the opportunities, while others talk of the risks of science, the role of teachers, researchers, the media and politicians such as yourselves, in bringing reason, objectivity and science into these debates, will continue to grow.

Your being here gives me hope that we are on the right track.

Thank you.