Niki Goulandris honored in Uppsala
A great honor, both for Greece and for scientists studying the environment, was the award of an honorary degree to Niki Goulandris from Uppsala University’s faculty of science and technology last Thursday. Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is one of Europe’s oldest and most distinguished. Niki Goulandris is the co-founder with her late husband Angelos of the Goulandris Natural History Museum in 1964, and founder of the GAIA Center for Environmental Research and Education in 2000. The honor, presented in a special ceremony in the university’s Aula Hall, crowns a lifetime’s work in the sector of natural history, and in making the public aware of the importance of nature with the aim of preserving the balance between nature-man-life. A woman with a calm but strong personality, Goulandris has given the world the Greek term «Ethos» in the language of environmental science; that is, the rule of moral values as a shield for the environment. Saving the environment from the dangers threatening it are (or should be), science’s first priority. For Niki Goulandris, the honor bestowed upon her this week by Uppsala University, which has received eight Nobel prizes, goes beyond the borders of Europe and reflects the ecumenical nature of her scientific approach and her continuing efforts. Elected by the European Commission in 1991 as «Woman of Europe,» Niki Goulandris is a friend and associate of Kathimerini, and we have been following her work since 1974 when she served as undersecretary for social services in the caretaker government that followed the return to democracy, and particularly in her capacity as the «soul» of the Goulandris Museum in Kifissia. We are very pleased for the honor and recognition bestowed upon her by the University of Uppsala and offer her our warmest congratulations. We hope we will soon see photographs of the award ceremony!
