Inspiring Connections: 2016 Global Gathering

 Around 350 international philanthropists and scientists spent three days in London (5-8 June) at a Global Gathering of the Weizmann Institute of Science.  

• 17 leading philanthropists inducted into the Weizmann Institute’s President’s Circle
• UK fundraising target exceeded with £5million raised for Biocomplexity research
•  Inspiring Connections Global Gathering sponsored by Judy and David Dangoor
• Israeli scientists shared cutting edge developments in three day celebration of Weizmann science
•  Israeli Ambassador, Mark Regev addressed closing night gala dinner at the Natural History Museum. 

The undoubted highlight of the event was the induction of 17 of the Weizmann Institute’s most committed philanthropists into the President’s Circle, in recognition of a gift of over $1million that they have each made to the Institute. Among the inductees to the President’s Circle were two leading UK philanthropists, Lord Alliance CBE and Sir Harry Djanogly.

 The President’s Circle dinner opened the three day Inspiring Connections Global Gathering at London’s Guildhall.  Guests were welcomed to the venue by the marching band of the Royal Marines who delivered, with typically British pomp and circumstance, a moving rendition of the Hatikva to the assembled crowd. The Institute’s President, Professor Daniel Zajfman received a military salute. The evening closed with an address from the Director of the newly formed Francis Crick Institute, Sir Paul Nurse who spoke on the importance of British-Israeli scientific collaboration and praised the Weizmann Institute as leaders in this area.

The Weizmann Institute’s Global Gathering takes places every two years, bringing together leading philanthropists from across the world to hear about the Institute’s latest scientific developments.

It was the first time that the event has been held outside of North America. Almost 250 of the guests who attended the Inspiring Connections Global Gathering were from overseas with 16 different countries being represented.

Weizmann UK undertook the organising of the event and conducted an 18 month fundraising campaign in the lead up to the event. On the opening night Barry Townsley CBE, President of Weizmann UK announced that UK donors had successfully raised more than £5million for the transformation of the Weizmann UK Building for Biocomplexity research, as well as covering all of the costs of this Global Gathering, through individual donations, and corporate sponsorships. David and Judy Dangoor were the title sponsors of the Inspiring Connections event.

The campaign exceeded its original fundraising target and will assist Weizmann scientists whose research focuses on inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s and arthritis as well as important fertility research.

Two mornings of scientific lectures were held at the IET on Savoy Place where Weizmann Scientists shared their latest research on subjects ranging from Personalised Medicine to Big Data. A new generation of Weizmann Scientists introduced their research and a “Crystal Ball” session was held where panellists made predictions about the future direction of Science. Weizmann scientists were joined by Mathematician Professor Marcus Du Sautoy who is Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. He spoke on the theme of “What we can and cannot know.”

Outside of the scientific programme, guests were treated to a variety of musical entertainment on three evenings with the support of Dame Vivien Duffield DBE.  Classical music critic Norman Lebrecht was the keynote speaker on Monday lunchtime at the Landmark Hotel and addressed guests on the significance of Nabucco as a rare example of a pro-Israelite opera.  All of the Global Gathering guests together with additional Weizmann UK guests were given tickets for the opening night of Verdi’s Nabucco starring Placido Domingo at the Royal Opera House, followed by an exclusive post performance party held in the Paul Hamlyn Hall at the Royal Opera House with Placido Domingo  and members of the cast.

The Inspiring Connections Global Gathering culminated in a reception at the V&A and gala dinner at the Natural History Museum for almost 500 people, half of whom were UK supporters of the Institute.  At the dinner, Weizmann UK chairman Martin Paisner CBE, celebrated the success of Weizmann UK’s fundraising mission for the Biocomplexity building which will be formally opened at the Institute’s International Board Meeting in Rehovot in November.

H.E. Mark Regev, Israeli Ambassador to the UK received a warm welcome as keynote speaker at the closing Gala Dinner. He paid tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Chaim Weizmann whose vision as a Zionist and Scientist would lead to the inextricable link between the formation of the State of Israel and the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Sheridan Gould, Executive Director of Weizmann UK, said: 

“We could not have been more proud to bring this extraordinary event to London. It was truly an inspiration to see so many dedicated philanthropists from around the world whose gifts to the Weizmann Institute of Science have done so much to allow the Institute to fulfil its mission of science for the benefit of humanity.”

See our image gallery for highlights of this very special event.

Published: July 13, 2016