The Dan David Prize: A Unique Endeavor
Relatively a new enterprise, the Dan David prize is one of the most esteemed awards handed each year. One exceptional feature about it is that it includes three time frames: past, present and future. Every one of these represents a great achievement by one or more people.
The past refers to achievements that assist us in expanding our knowledge of the past.
The present refers to achievements that contribute to our present day society.
The future refers to achievements that have the greatest of potential for the improving our future.
This prize is not limited to one field, or even to science alone, which is another element that makes it exceptional. In every year a specific subject is chosen for every time frame. Moreover, each prize consists of one million dollars, though 10% of these are donated by the laureates to students and scholars in the chosen field for the given time dimension.
The year 2006 was a great year:
- The eminent cellist Yo-Yo Ma was given the prize for the past, for preserving our cultural heritage.
- Four famous journalists: Goenawan Mohamad, Adam Michnik, Monica Gonzalez and Magdi Allam, won the award for the present, for for fighting and risking their lives for free press.
- Two well known scientists: Dr. John Mendelsohn, and Dr. Joseph Schlessinger, were given the prize for the future, for their vast contributions for treatment of cancer and cancer therapy.