A Letter from Countess Bettina Bernadotte

Countess Bettina Bernadotte Photo/Credit: B&B Medien/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings

 

Mainau, March 2020

 

Dear friends of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings,

 

None of us could have imagined the current situation and the far-reaching consequences we surely must face during the upcoming time. We also have continuously been monitoring and evaluating all available information regarding the new coronavirus.

As the situation is developing very dynamically, it is hardly possible to safely plan for a longer period. We very much regret to announce that we cannot conduct this year’s Lindau Meetings as originally planned. The Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings has decided to postpone both Meetings planned for this year: The 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (Interdisciplinary) is now planned to take place from 27 June – 2 July 2021, the date for the 7th Meeting on Economic Sciences is still to be confirmed.

This decision was not an easy one and we are aware that many of our long-standing business partners will also be affected. We very much regret this, but in the current situation we do not see ourselves in a position to organise the Meetings in 2020 in the usual way. The health of the people in Lindau, who would normally have welcomed the conference participants from over 100 countries, also played an important role in our decision.

For 2020 we will take up the challenge and, instead of the traditional on-site meeting, we will work on alternative online activities. Thus, we hope to have as many Nobel Laureates and young scientists as possible participating remotely.

A situation like this is unprecedented in our almost 70-year history. However, even a year without a Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting will not diminish our passion for this unique international scientific forum. Surely, there will be more opportunities for personal exchange between different generations, cultures and disciplines in 2021 and beyond.

With kindest regards – wishing you the best of health.

 

Bettina Countess Bernadotte af Wisborg

President of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings