“We have for many years maintained close relations with The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, an institution which unites that country’s excellent research community”, said Professor Dr. Hacker. Scientists from both academies had already convened joint symposia in 2008 and 2011 dealing with the topics of neurobiology and molecular infection biology. In 2010, Leopoldina president Jörg Hacker and former president Volker ter Meulen travelled to Israel to take part in the events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Israeli National Academy. The trip included a visit to the Knesset and a meeting with the former president Shimon Peres.

The newly signed agreement between The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Leopoldina provides for collaborative work on scientific position statements as well as the organizing of further joint conferences, seminars and colloquia. Integrating young scientists and researchers from both countries into the proceedings will be a special focus. “International collaboration with associate academies is very important for us because the challenges for which we seek and propose solutions are global in nature and are best surmounted in a concerted effort”, said Jörg Hacker. The signing of the agreement by the academy presidents took place within the framework of the joint symposium “Stability and Plasticity:  Advances in Understanding Neuronal Representations” that opened in Jerusalem yesterday.

Since the Leopoldina was appointed the German National Academy of Sciences in 2008, it has served as the voice of German science in the dialogue among academies around the world. The discussion of current scientific issues in top-echelon international symposia is an important aspect of the Leopoldina’s international activities. In addition, the Leopoldina also provides science-based policy advice on an international level.