Anna Valmero, participant #hlf14: The opening program offered a glimpse of the promising lectures from this year’s event and the celebration of a new tradition that will cement the fruitful exchange of knowledge and meaningful dialogue among senior and young experts.

Here’s a recap of the inspiring quotes and some challenges posed by the speakers:

1. Speak understandably.

If you talk about something not yet known, it is highly advisable to speak slowly.

– Dr. Klaus Tschira, chairperson Heidelberg Laureate Forum

2. Knowledge transfer is the name of the game.

Anything to help improve the conversation among mathematicians is a good idea. And that applies as well to scientists.

– Dr. Klaus Tschira, chairperson Heidelberg Laureate Forum

3. Math and computer science are key to innovation.

I am confident that there is no scientific field that did not benefit from computer science and mathematics.

– Theresia Bauer, Minister of Science, Education and Fine Arts, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

4. In today’s digital world, we deal with data but it is useless to have too many because we surrender to the data.

It is imperative we learn how to organize, secure, and keep our head above the data fluid. Transparency is also another issue and how it influences behavior. These are some of the questions I hope you will find answers to… Not today, but maybe at the end of the week.

– Theresia Bauer, Minister of Science, Education and Fine Arts, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

5. The positives of computing are now taken for granted.

Do not be discouraged by the negative talk and take it as an opportunity that it will have a tremendous impact to the world. Carry on with that conversation about computing and work to make it a positive science that it is.

The next-generation of innovators have the unique power to change the world. The young people today are more focused and highly optimized. The world really needs you to be the best you can be.

– Prof. Dr. Alexander Wolf, President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

6. Curiosity and openness are crucial to the growth of math and computer science for the future of society.

The exchange between the experienced scientists, mathematicians and the young are inspiring.

– Prof. Dr. Bernhard Eitel, Rector Heidelberg University

7. Math is one of the oldest scientific disciplines… but not the oldest profession.

Nonetheless, always be young. Discover! I realized that inside you don’t really age. When I look at the mirror, I see my mother but deep inside, I know I am still my young self.

– Prof. Dr. Ingrid Daubechies, President of the International Mathematical Union (IMU)

8. This event is a venue for young and senior scientists to meet to foster a partnership between research and industry that usually depend upon one another.

We all depend on basic curiosity, research and long-term exercise of the sciences.

-Prof. Dr. Nils Chr. Stenseth, President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters DNVA

9. Science creates cities.

Building a science community is not enough. We need to bring citizens together and nurture and inspire many of the young generation to study mathematics and computer science.

– Dr. Eckart Würzner, Lord mayor of the City of Heidelberg

10. No nerds!

Mathematicians and computer scientists are really no nerds.

– Prof. Andreas Reuter, Scientific Chairperson Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation

Which of these was your favorite quote? Do share with us what you got from the opening program in the comments!

Anna Valmero is a Filipina science journalist from Manila, Philippines. She produces content for national, regional and US publications. She is also the Asian coordinator of the European Youth Press’ Orange Magazine Team for 2014-2015. Recently, she served as editor of the Orange Team during the 2014 Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum held in Bonn. Twitter: @annavalmero