menu

Honour Committee

The Honour Committee is a patronage group consisting of world representatives from a wide variety of expertise who will contribute to the success of the SCWS 2017.
The members of the Honour Committee will suggest or approach personalities that will help build new partnerships, connect key players and the science centre field, or disseminate the Summit’s message to the world.

Dr. Rob Adam
Director, The Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
Dr. Peter Agre
Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2003)/Bloomberg Distinguished Professor/Director, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Mr. Tadao Ando
Architect/Emeritus Professor, The University of Tokyo
Although our Earth has limited food, energy, and resources the global population never stops expanding. The center of the civilization is constantly fluctuating in location. It has moved from Europe to America, and has recently shifted to Asia where an overwhelming amount of people are living. If the entire population of Asia required the same lifestyle as westerners, could you imagine the environmental consequences for the Earth? Every individual has a responsibility to cultivate their power of knowledge and power of thinking, to address the topic of co-existing with the natural environment and creating a sustainable future for the Earth. I wish for SCWS2017 to be the good opportunity to facilitate these positive actions.

*Photo by Keitaku Hayashi
Dr. Yuichiro Anzai
President, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
The ingenious knowledge created by researchers has contributed to the development and continued prosperity of human society. Plus, addressing social problems using the assembled knowledge generated by various stakeholders is truly one of the intellectual human activities.
The collaboration beyond fields is crucial in approaching complicated global issues. I wish SCWS2017 will be the place where the representatives from many fields offer their knowledge and together discuss and create solutions.
Ms. Irina Bokova
Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Dr. Ana María Cetto
Director, Museum of the Light UNAM
Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz
Astronaut/CEO, Ad Astra Rocket Company
Dr. Cheng Donghong
Vice President, China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)/President, Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums (CANSM)
Prof. Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan
Palaeobiologist, University of Cape Town/TWAS 2013 winner of sub-Saharan Africa Prize for Public Understanding and Popularization of Science
Dr. E. William Colglazier
Editor-in-Chief of Science & Diplomacy and Senior Scholar in the Center for Science Diplomacy, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Prof. Farouk El-Baz
Director, Center for Remote Sensing, Boston University
Dr. Fabiola Gianotti
Director- General, CERN
HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan
President, The Royal Scientific Society, Jordan
tamaki imai
Mr. Tamaki Imai
Chairman, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo
In recent situations where social and economic problems are complexly related, it is essential to have deep discussions amongst various stakeholders based on a scientific perspective for the establishment of sustainable future. To accomplish this, it is crucial that communication should be worldwide, addressing a wide age and professional range to alert for problems. The arts, and music should be a major motivation in those communications.
Through SCWS2017, I hope the stakeholders are stimulated, discussions and partnerships will flourish, and actions will eventually lead to the first step towards a sustainable future.
Mr. Kazuhiko Ishimura
Chairman, The Asahi Glass Foundation
Dr. Mae Jemison
Founder, The Jemison Group, Inc./Astronaut/Physician/Engineer
Mr. Shuji Kanoh
President and Chief Operating Officer, Fuji Media Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Tsuneo Kita
Chairman and group CEO, Nikkei Inc.
Dr. Alan I. Leshner
CEO Emeritus, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Prof. Low Teck Seng
CEO, National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office of Singapore
The National Research Foundation’s aim is to strengthen the connection between academic research and industry, so that our R&D capabilities can be translated into solutions that have direct relevance in addressing national and global needs.
To address sustainability challenges, our efforts include investing in R&D for sustainable smart cities; and addressing some key global issues from the perspective of a small island state.
Prof. Barry Marshall
Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2005)/The University of Western Australia
In a time when science and technology is changing the world at an unprecedented pace, science centre's enable communities to access and engage with these developments directly. They offer a way for teachers to feel confident about motivating and teaching students and a setting for families to explore and learn together. The Science Centre World Summit 2017 creates a shared learning environment where our science centre leaders, scientists and business leaders can connect, discuss and share ideas to grow science engagement and ensure sustainable prosperity for our communities.
Prof. Gordon McBean
President, International Council for Science
The International Council for Science, with its Mission of strengthening international science for the benefit of all societies, is pleased to participate in the Science Centre World Summit 2017 which is an opportunity to promote dialogue between the scientific community, policy makers and societies. Future Earth, initiated by the Council, is co-designing the transformations for a globally sustainable future.
Mr. Zenji Miura
President and CEO, Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Earth faces the challenges of environmental issues, disputes and poverty. To solve these challenges towards sustainability of Earth is the crucial for all humans. Thus, industry must go beyond financial concerns to develop and advance human resources and innovation. We must act responsibly and provide concrete solutions for those challenges. I expect intense discussions among　members from various fields at SCWS2017 that will help industry prepare to better contribute to society.
Mr. Issey Miyake
Designer, MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO
The culture provides unique, universal languages through which all humans can communicate. Embracing the arts and design medium can enhance science and technology communication and touch all areas of society, which is essential to assure our home, our Earth’s sustainability.
I look forward to experiencing a wide range of collaboration in SCWS2017.
Dr. Phil Mjwara
Director General, the Department of Science and Technology - DST
Ms. Yoshiko Mori
Chairperson, Mori Art Museum
Museums are places for visitors to enjoy stimulating exhibitions as well as forums for engaging in free discussions with persons of diverse ages, backgrounds and nationalities over a wide range of social issues as seen through the works on display. Whilst both advanced science and art are reflections of the times, they mutually inspire each other toward ever newer developments. We believe this SCWS2017 partnership will enliven and enrich the functions of museums as well as contribute to the solution of the many global tasks at hand.
Dr. Takashi Onishi
Immediate Past President, Science Council of Japan
Japanese Scientists are frequently awarded Nobel Prizes these days, so society’s interest and expectations for science and technology are growing. In this positive environment for the sciences, it is my hope that middle and high school students put more efforts into the study of the sciences including space, earth, life and society. The science centre/museum is a venue that introduces science from diverse perspectives and thus stimulates people’s, and in particular, the youth’s curiosity. I look forward to the continued, important success of science centres and of SCWS2017.
Dr. Mazlan Othman
Council Member, Academy of Sciences Malaysia/ Former Head, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) from 1999-2002 and 2007-2013/Founding Director General for the National Space Agency of Malaysia
Sir Roger Penrose, O.M., F.R.S
Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor, Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute of the University of Oxford/ Emeritus Fellow, Wadham College
Science and technology are affecting our world at an increasing pace. It is vital for us to stand back and take stock of the implications of many of these developments and to try to understand how those in many seemingly disparate areas may affect one another and influence the future of human society. The Science Centre World Summit provides an important forum for the bringing together of different organizations concerned with scientific developments and their technological implications.
Dr. Eduardo Posada
President, Colombian Association for the Advancement of Science (ACAC)
Dr. María Teresa Ruiz
Director, Centre for Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA), University of Chile
Dr. Sadayuki Sakakibara
Chairman, Keidanren/Senior Advisor, Toray Industries, Inc.
In this globalized and networked era, the world faces transformations of industrial and social structures, and global issues like climate change and resources/energy scarcity. We, the business community, will contribute to solutions through development and popularization of innovative technologies.
Through the discussions in SCWS2017, we expect all the stakeholders such as the business sector, science centres/museums, research institutions, government and NGOs/NPOs, will share future visions and establish connections. Establishing those connections shall be the first step to steadily, and surely creating a bright future.
Prof. Brian Schmidt
Nobel Laureate in Physics (2011)/Vice-Chancellor, The Australian National University
Human curiosity has been the great driving force in the development of science, and technology based on scientific discovery has impacted life in a tremendous way. In this new era, science and technology is expected to create innovative solutions to address the global challenges we all face. Through the collaboration among all stakeholders, new ways of discovering answers will be unveiled and science and technology will truly benefit all the humans. I believe this summit will be the place for science to flourish not only in the laboratory but also throughout society.
Dr. Manju Sharma
Former Secretary Department of Biotechnology Govt. of India/Former President, National Academy of Sciences India & President and Executive Director of Indian Institute of Advanced Research
Dr. Hideki Shirakawa
Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2000)/Professor Emeritus, University of Tsukuba/Doctor of Engineering
Mr. Chi-ming Shun
President, Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM) of World Meteorological Organization/Director, Hong Kong Observatory
Dr. Hayat Sindi
Founder and CEO, the Institute for Imagination and Ingenuity (i2 institute)
Ms. Atsuko Toyama
President, The Toyota Foundation/Former Minister, Education, Culture, Sports Science and Technology (2001-2003)
We face worldwide issues such as global warming’s natural disasters, resources/energy issues and rapid IT development difficulties. Solutions come from the consolidation of opinions and policy decision-making at the community, local, and national governmental levels. All society benefits from discussions based upon the common foundation of the scientific viewpoint. I hope SCWS2017’s discussions among respected experts create answers for these challenges.
Dr. Vaughan C. Turekian
Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State U.S. Department of State
Prof. Shinya Yamanaka
Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2012)/Director of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University
Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa
Chairman, The Japan Prize Foundation/Special Counselor to the President, Japan Science and Technology Agency/Doctor of Engineering