Prof. Yonatan Levinstein from the Hebrew University, one of the organizers of the conference: "Arab and Israeli scientists, together with French scientists, will discuss issues from the front of science, with the aim not only to promote science but also to foster scientific ties between Arab and Israeli scientists"
This week, a unique scientific conference will be held in Paris - NeuroBridges. Israeli, Arab and French neuroscientists will gather to discuss ways to bridge the gap between experiment and theory in neuroscience, and will investigate basic questions in the hope of establishing as many new collaborations as possible, note the conference organizers Dr. Ahmed Elhadi (Princeton University ), Dr. Yonatan Levinstein (Hebrew University) and Dr. Gianluigi Mongillo (University of Paris-Descartes).
Professor Levinstein, a neuroscientist at the Hebrew University, explains that the name of the conference "NeuroBridges" hints at another significant aspect inherent in this conference. "The participants believe that scientists have a responsibility beyond the scientific research they carry out - they must promote common understanding between people from different countries and peoples. Therefore, for three days, Arab and Israeli scientists, together with French scientists, will discuss issues from the front of science, with the aim not only to promote science but also to foster scientific ties between Arab and Israeli scientists. The organizers of the conference believe that such cooperation can lead to interpersonal relations, and at the end of the day, also reduce the political tension between Arabs and Israelis in the Middle East."
The first NeuroBridges conference took place last summer in Germany during Operation "Solid Cliff". Israelis and Arabs have proven that their relationship is not dictated solely by the Israeli-Arab conflict and that they can communicate, argue, cooperate and join hands, even in the shadow of war. The second conference continues the tradition of collaboration between scientists, beyond national borders.
One response
This is the right direction even though the world is marching towards what seems like the Middle Ages repeating. Middle Ages didn't necessarily happen just once.
The mythology of Atlantis by Plato, and the homo sapiens who defeated human races with a brain larger than his own, are perhaps earlier examples of the Middle Ages where civilization retreats and comes back in a declared or undeclared renaissance.