Josh Weiner
This week marks the inauguration of the 58th International Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad, an esteemed event gathering nearly 200 young talents from across the globe to celebrate their passion for chemistry. Founded almost 60 years ago in the Soviet Union it has been an international event for a long time and now for the first time it is being held in China.
With participants from 26 countries converging in Shenzhen, the significance of this occasion cannot be overstated. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, characterized by shifting economic dynamics and escalating global challenges, initiatives like the Chemistry Olympiad serve as beacons of hope and unity.
The Mendeleev Olympiad was held at the impressive, newly built campus of Peking Polytechnic University and Moscow State University, that did not exist a few years ago.
The Olympiad opening ceremony was a striking show. It’s highlight was the chemical mixing of five multi-colored fluorescent liquids in a single test tube, performed by honored guests from the Chinese and Russian sides. This spectacular and colorful act was intended to remind the audience not only of the chemistry involved. Like everything in China, it was a symbolic action about the importance of unity. Just as it is impossible to create new material without the unity of the elements, so without the unification of scientific knowledge and educational initiatives it is impossible to achieve scientific progress. It also stressed the growing ties between China and Russia..
“The world has entered a period of accelerating change, with leadership in economic growth as well as scientific and technological progress shifting to the East, provoking social and political tension in Western societies,” commented Andrey Melnichenko. The Charitable Foundation that was originally established by Mr Melnichenko was a co-organizer of Olympiad, and in particular developed the focus on cooperation and collaboration. “Where leaders do not find a way to resolve contradictions, armed conflicts arise, economic barriers are erected, and scientific, sports and cultural ties built over decades are interrupted. All this is very dangerous – when the world is divided and simplified – either good or bad. What should we do?… I urge you to concentrate not on what divides, but on what unites. What should unite us is the desire to resist common threats, what should unite us is the desire to increase common well-being… Children and students should be prepared for this.” Mr Melnichenko added
Through initiatives like the Chemistry Olympiad, the Foundation aims to inspire the next generation of scientists as well as foster a spirit of collaboration and discovery amongst them.
The Chemistry Olympiad not only provides a platform for young minds to showcase their talents but also facilitates meaningful exchanges and partnerships among scientists, educators, and policymakers. By creating a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the event contributes to the advancement of scientific research and innovation on a global scale.
As Andrey Melnichenko stressed during his comprehensive interview, in the realm of education, the Foundation’s initiatives aim to nurture talent and foster social mobility for young individuals across Russia. Through educational centers, competitions, and outreach programs, the Foundation empowers youth to pursue careers in STEM fields and encourages them to contribute to scientific innovation and development. He said that he relied on the experience of the Soviet system for selecting talented children, which he knew first-hand – having graduated from a special boarding school at Moscow University. Students who were passionate about mathematics were selected from all over the country to attend this high level educational establishment.
He is equally interested in and passionate about international climate policy. In the main Russian business union Mr Melnichenko heads the climate committee and represents Russian business at UN climate conferences. The Foundation funds research into climate change and projects that can slow it down, especially in the Russian Arctic. As Mr Melnichenko explains, education and climate initiatives have an important common ground – they both require combining the efforts of different stakeholders and depoliticising. This, in his opinion, will help improve life on our planet.
Here in Shenzhen, ideas about saving the planet sound natural. Talented children from China, Russia, Brazil, Israel, Austria, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and many other countries compete with each other and want to win. At the same time, you can see how they like to communicate, how interested they are in spending time together as well as forgetting about the troubles in the outside world for a couple of days.
