Awards For Past, Present and Future: The Unique Dan David Prize
On October 28, 2009 in General
Relatively a new endeavor, the Dan David prize is one of the most prestigious awards given each year. One unique aspect about it is that it covers three time frames: past, present and future. Each one of these embodies a great achievement by one or more individuals.
The past refers to achievements that assist us in expanding our knowledge of the past.
The present refers to achievements that contribute to our contemporary society.
The future refers to achievements that have the greatest of potential for the advancing our future.
This prize is not restricted to one field, or even to science alone, which is another element that makes it unique. In every year a specific subject is chosen for every time dimension. Furthermore, each award consists of one million dollars, though 10% of these are given by the laureates to students and scholars in the chosen field for the given time frame.
The year 2006 was a special year:
- The famous artist Yo-Yo Ma won the award for the past, for preserving our cultural heritage.
- Four renowned journalists: Goenawan Mohamad, Adam Michnik, Monica Gonzalez and Magdi Allam, were given the prize for the present, for for fighting and risking their lives for unrestricted press.
- Two renowned scientists: Dr. John Mendelsohn, and Dr. Joseph Schlessinger, were given the prize for the future, for their enormous contributions for treatment of cancer and cancer therapy.