Published 5 July 2024 by Valeria Wollenweber
Daily Recap – Friday, 5 July 2024

Photo/Credit: Christian Flemming/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Friday Mornings at Lindau Meetings are bitter-sweet. On one hand, in the evening, we will have to leave behind a week full of incredible impressions and interactions, part ways with new friends and mentors; on the other we have a full day of adventure still ahead of us.
For #LINO24, the traditional trip to Mainau Island was extra adventurous: participants got to witness the announcement of a new Mainau Declaration, signed by 30 Nobel Laureates who were present at the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. It is a warning and an appeal against the usage of Nuclear Weapons, reminiscent of the first Mainau Declaration from 1955.
To this important moment, the rest of the Meeting’s final day was in no way inferior though: despite having had an enjoyable Bavarian Evening and maybe not quite getting sufficient sleep, many Young Scientists dragged themselves out of bed before 7 in the morning to board the most imposing boat on Lake Constance on its Baden-Württemberg trip to Mainau Island. The final Panel Discussion was on the current and relevant topic of “How to Preserve Trust in Science in the Age of AI?” with panelists fittingly being introduced by ChatGPT.
After Countess Bettina Bernadotte’s parting words, a concert by the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble marked the end of the Meeting’s official part. Then, everyone had a final chance to come together, share a meal and stories of the week – this time on picnic blankets. The boattrip back to Lindau was turned into quite the party by the new Alumni – and the Laureates – and back at the harbour it was finally time for the dreaded moment: the big goodbye before returning to normality…
Quote of the Day
“Knowledge eventually triumphs, it just may take some time.”
Brian P. Schmidt, Nobel Laureate in Physics 2012
Picture of the Day
The moment Young Scientists of #LINO24 became Lindau Alumni magically: the baton handover by Alumna Sibylle Anderl to Suraya Kazi.
By the way, if you’re searching for more iconic pictures of this and recent Lindau Meetings check out our Flickr!

Photo/Credit: Patrick Kunkel/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Featured Blog Post
Solutions to the Energy Challenge was one of the key topics of #LINO24 and it is of outmost importance to nowadays society non the less. Andrei Mihai writes for our Lindau Blog and features Sessions on the topic including Next Gen Science, in his newest post.
Fact of the Day
Lindau Alumni is not just a nice-sounding term. It means being part of a big international network of scientists, supporting each other – quite literally the Lindau Alumni Network. If you were a Young Scientist at #LINO24 you got your invitation and you should definitely join to stay informed on formats like the Sciathon and co. One project that originated there is Authentisci, a review tool for scientific content in media. The Lindau Meeting might be a one-time experience for scientists but being a Lindau Alumni is forever. Make the most of it!
Today’s Highlight Session
At the end of the meeting, 30 Nobel Laureates made an important statement that will have an impact beyond the week in Lindau. They signed the Mainau Declaration 2024 against nuclear war.
Laureate David J. Gross, speaking for the initiators of the declaration, said: “We felt that we must alert the people and leaders of the world to this possibility and urge them to heed our warning and act to prevent this catastrophe.” This Declaration is reminiscent of the first Mainau Declaration of 1955, itself an appeal against the use of nuclear weapons. The topic is – unfortunately – still a current threat. This fact is emphasized by the initiative of the Young Scientists who became Alumni today to endorse the Declaration. A great, and important, collaboration between the generations, inspired by the hope for a better future.
Thursday’s Tweets
The signing of the 2024 Mainau Declaration on Nuclear Weapons. It feels special to have been part of such an historical moment.#LINO24 pic.twitter.com/0t5w2taDGt
— Saskia Plura (@saskia_plura) July 5, 2024
Hi again from @lindaunobel from our Katarina Chapman, Philip Matthias and our director and Nobel Prize winner @Stefan_W_Hell! 👋They enjoy the lively atmosphere, or, as Philip says: “When Zeilinger and Aspect are in the same room, the attention is divided.”😆😉 #LINO24 pic.twitter.com/Zs9GIBdHrO
— Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (@mpi_mr_hd) July 5, 2024
I am so happy to be back in @lindaunobel for #LINO24, this year as a guest with our @AuthentiSci project. Find more info about it today in the boat! pic.twitter.com/btMhUuMe08
— Ana Alonso-Serrano (@aalonsoserrano) July 5, 2024
Be sure to follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram and keep an eye out for #LINO24, e.g. on our social wall!
#LINO24 Throwback
Well, it’s over. One week of amazing scientific sessions, the exchange of new knowledge, formations of new international acquaintances and friendships.
The 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting might be over but the impact is lasting and hopefully for a long time! If you need a reminder of what happened during these days (which is entirely understandable, it’s been a week…) here are our recaps all in one place:
Find more blog posts, photos and videos from this Meeting and more in our Mediatheque as well as on our social media.
For now, thank you for following this blog, it was my pleasure to keep you updated throughout #LINO24!