Since their
beginnings in 1951, the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings have evolved into a unique
international forum for scientific exchange. Every year, around 30-40 Nobel Laureates and 500–600 young scientists from all over the world travel to Lake Constance in the south of Germany to discuss
scientific research and foster the dialogue between generations and cultures.
The Founders of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings by Nachlass Franz Karl HeinLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Whose idea was it?
It was the two Lindau physicians Franz Karl Hein and Gustav Wilhelm Parade who approached Count Lennart Bernadotte af Wisborg of nearby Mainau Island to jointly develop and implement the idea that marked the start of a long and continuing history.
Count Bernadotte by Archiv StuhlerLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Count Bernadotte – a grandson of King Gustaf V of Sweden – had excellent connections to the Nobel Committee in Stockholm. Especially due to his efforts, seven Nobel Laureates agreed to participate in the first “European Meeting of Nobel Laureates” held in Lindau in 1951. This extraordinary meeting was conceived as a European initiative of post-war reconciliation among scientists.
The 1st Lindau Nobel Laureate MeetingLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Nobel Laureates during the first Lindau Meeting in 1951
From left: Nobel Laureates William P Murphy, Otto Warburg, Paul Hermann Müller, Hendrik Dam, Hans von Euler-Chelpin, Adolf Butenandt, Gerhard Domagk (partly hidden) as well as Count Lennart Bernadotte
Bulk MailLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
This letter announced the first European Meeting of Nobel Laureates to the medical community.
The first meeting took place 10–14 June 1951 in Lindau, Germany.
First invitation of young scientists to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings in 1953Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
First young scientists attend in the Lindau Meetings
Students were invited to take part for the first time in 1953.
The Dean of the Faculty of Science of Munich University accepts the invitation for students to take part in a Lindau Meeting, and enrols twenty physics students - the maximum number permitted.
Albert Schweitzer at the Lindau MeetingLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
The first Nobel Peace Laureate in Lindau
1954 brought the first attendance from a Nobel Peace Laureate – Albert Schweitzer.
His participation in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in 1954, inspired Werner Heisenberg to “rethink the humanitarian side of science.”
Mainau DeclarationLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Mainau Declaration 1955
The year after, on Schweitzer's suggestion, all Nobel Laureates whose work dealt with nuclear research were invited to the 1955 meeting.
Jointly, they drafted an appeal to political decision-makers in East and West “to reject force as the ultimate instrument of politics.” They issued a warning against the use of nuclear weapons.
This appeal, known as the 'Mainau Declaration', initially bore the signatures of 18 Nobel Laureates.
Within a year, the number of supporters rose to 52 laureates.
Werner Heisenberg in LindauLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Lectures at the Lindau Meetings
Nobel Laureate Werner Heisenberg giving a lecture in 1956 during the 6th Lindau Meeting dedicated to Physics
Lise Meitner at the Lindau MeetingLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
The Lindau Meeting in 1962
Three long-standing friends of the Lindau Meetings gather around Lise Meitner in 1962: (from left) Otto Hahn, who participated in the Lindau Meetings 15 times, Werner Heisenberg, who took part 16 times, and Max Born, who attended ten times.
‘Environmental Protection as an International Task’ - Willy BrandtLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Environmental protection and sustainability
From the late 1960s, the topic of environmental protection gained increased emphasis. Count Lennart Bernadotte made sustainability the central theme of the 1971 meeting.
In 1972, Nobel Peace Laureate and German Chancellor Willy Brandt held a pivotal lecture in Lindau titled ‘Environmental Protection as an International Task’. Since then, this theme has been a part of the Lindau Meetings.
Nobel Laureates Eric Maskin and Robert Aumann at the 6th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences by Christian FlemmingLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
The Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
The Foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings was established in the year 2000 upon the initiative of 50 Nobel Laureates.
The Foundation’s objective is to promote science, research, and related societal activities. In particular, its main purpose is to ensure the continuance and further development of the Lindau Meetings. This includes the support of outreach projects and initiatives.
65 Nobel Laureates at the 65th Lindau MeetingLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
65 Nobel Laureates at the Lindau Meeting 2015
The interdisciplinary 65th Lindau Meeting hosted an all-time record number of 65 Nobel Laureates.
Mainau Declaration 2015 (2015-07) by Christian FlemmingLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Mainau Declaration 2015 on Climate Change
On the occasion of the closing day of the 65th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, initially 36 Nobel Laureates signed the "Mainau Declaration 2015 on Climate Change”.
Another 40 Nobel Laureates subsequently added their names to the list of signatories.
The New Inselhalle by Till BeckertLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
New Inselhalle
In 2018, after two years of extensive modernisation, the conference venue Inselhalle has again become the home of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.
Science Breakfast in the New Inselhalle (2018-06-27) by Patrick Kunkel and Richard J. Roberts in discussion with the young scientistsLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Innovative Programme Sessions
An enlarged event area, a generous foyer as well as modernised technical equipment in the renovated Inselhalle enabled new and innovative programme formats - such as the Science Breakfast.
In the future, the new Inselhalle will certainly play an important role in contributing to the extraordinary Lindau Spirit.
Mini Lecture: The Lindau Nobel Laureate MeetingsLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Watch a short video to learn more about the history of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.
