Kyoto Prize Symposium Returns to San Diego
April 20-22

Laureates to speak at UC San Diego, SDSU and USD during three-day celebration of their achievements in technology, science and the arts

SAN DIEGO — April 8, 2010 — The Inamori Foundation and the Kyoto Symposium Organization today announced that they will host the ninth annual Kyoto Prize Symposium in San Diego April 20-22, 2010. The three-day event will feature the latest recipients of the Kyoto Prize, Japan’s highest private award for global achievement, during public presentations on local university campuses—and will commemorate the milestone 25th anniversary of the international award. 

The benefit gala, “The Kyoto Prize: Celebrating Outstanding Lifetime Achievement,” will officially open the Symposium at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 20, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.  Complimentary presentations by each laureate will follow, April 21-22, at University of California, San Diego; San Diego State University; and University of San Diego.

Admission to university events is free—online registration is required at www.kyotoprize.org.

The 25th Kyoto Prize Laureates
Drs. Peter and Rosemary Grant, evolutionary biologists and professors emeriti at Princeton University, are the 25th Kyoto Prize laureates in “Basic Sciences”—and the first husband-and-wife team to receive the award. Over nearly 40 years of field research on the Galápagos Islands, the Grants have demonstrated that natural selection allows the morphology and behavior of Darwin’s finches to change rapidly in response to environmental fluctuations. In simple terms, they have shown that natural selection occurs continuously—even as we watch. Their address, “In Darwin’s Footsteps,” will showcase their observations of rapid evolution, Wednesday, April 21, 3:30-5:00 p.m. at University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Isamu Akasaki, a semiconductor scientist, university professor at Nagoya University and professor at Meijo University in Japan, is the 25th Kyoto Prize laureate in “Advanced Technology.” Dr. Akasaki pursued his dream to develop the world’s first blue Light-Emitting Diode (LED)—once considered impossible by the scientific community.  His pioneering contributions to the development of blue LEDs and blue lasers have led to better data storage, sharper video and movies, and environment-friendly lighting products based on energy-saving LED technology.  Dr. Akasaki will discuss “Enchanted Journeys in Blue Light,” Thursday, April 22, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at San Diego State University.

Maestro Pierre Boulez, world renowned composer and conductor, and Honorary Director of the Institute for Research and Coordination Acoustic/Music (IRCAM), is the 25th Kyoto Prize laureate in “Arts and Philosophy.” Maestro Boulez has consistently set new trends in music composition, conducting, writing, and organizational administration, winning fame as the world’s “greatest composer of serial music.” He will conduct selections from his famous composition, Sur Incises, with an ensemble featuring some of the world’s most outstanding performers of new music. Introducing him will be Jahja Ling, conductor of the San Diego Symphony, Thursday, April 22, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the University of San Diego.

“Each year our city welcomes the Kyoto Prize laureates—some of the world’s greatest intellects and artists—who have made great contributions to the betterment of humanity,” said Robert Horsman, regional chairman of U.S. Bank, who chairs the non-profit Kyoto Symposium Organization.  “This ideal and the presence of the Kyoto Prize in San Diego are inspiring unprecedented collaborations among our region’s universities, research institutions, arts organizations and the business community at large.”

In addition to his role as chairman of the board, Horsman has taken the lead of the benefit gala along with fellow co-chairs Masaaki Tanaka, president and CEO of Union Bank; and Dr. Peter Farrell, founder and executive chairman of ResMed Inc.  Serving as the event’s honorary chairs are businessmen and philanthropists Dr. Irwin Jacobs, co-founder of Qualcomm Incorporated, and Conrad Prebys, founder of Progress Management. The gala will fund several scholarship programs including the 2010-2011 Kyoto Scholarships, which are awarded to high school seniors—three each from San Diego and Tijuana—who have been inspired by the laureates to improve our world.  Given in the broad categories of advanced technology, basic sciences, and arts and philosophy, the six Kyoto Scholarships are valued at $10,000 each.
 
“This Symposium builds international relationships while inspiring future generations to pursue the greater good of society,” said Masaaki Tanaka, who also serves as a director of the Kyoto Symposium Organization.  “Each year, our scholarship programs and free event transportation provide hundreds of high school students with an educational opportunity not seen anywhere else in North America.”

The Kyoto Prize
The Kyoto Prize is presented annually by the non-profit Inamori Foundation to individuals and groups worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to the betterment of humanity. Consisting of academic honors, a 20-karat gold medal and a cash gift of 50 million yen (about $550,000), it is Japan’s highest private award for global achievement. The laureates are selected through a strict and impartial process considering candidates recommended from around the world. As of November 10, 2009, the Kyoto Prize has been awarded to 81 individuals and one foundation – collectively representing 13 nations. Kyoto Prize laureates range from scientists, engineers and researchers to philosophers, painters, architects, sculptors, musicians and film directors. The United States has produced the most recipients (33), followed by Japan (13), the United Kingdom (12), and France (eight).

The Inamori Foundation
The non-profit Inamori Foundation was established in Kyoto, Japan, in 1984 by Dr. Kazuo Inamori, a Japanese humanitarian and founder of both Kyocera and KDDI Corporation. Dr. Inamori created the Kyoto Prize in 1985, in reflection of his belief that human beings have no higher calling than to strive for the greater good of society, and that mankind’s future can be assured only when there is a balance between science, technology and the human spirit.

The Kyoto Symposium Organization
The Kyoto Symposium Organization is a San Diego-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to support the Kyoto Prize Symposium and Kyoto Scholarship programs.

Download photos at: http://www.kyotoprize.org/news