United colors of ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ
1 Oct 2010
Liman, Jean-Daniel, Kaushal, Shoko, Unkyu, Lana and Christopher—the youngest among the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ staff—hoisted the flag of their respective countries.
A flag stands for a nation; several flags flying together can stand for much more than several nations ...
At ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Headquarters on Friday, as Liman, Jean-Daniel, Kaushal, Shoko, Unkyu, Lana and Topher—the youngest among the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ staff—hoisted the flag of their respective countries, the symbol was clear to everyone: out of a collection of nations with different and sometimes conflicting history, different cultures, different work habits, ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ has become a "family"—intent, in Deputy Director-General Chuyanov's words, on "achieving a great job."
There was emotion, and there was enthusiasm, as Director-General Motojima and the senior management stressed the importance of the task ahead, the necessity to work "even harder" and our responsibility to bring this project to full fruition.
The ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ flag, that Director-General Motojima hoisted last. Not the flag of a country, but that of a project that is of the highest importance to every country.
Speaking for the Member they represent, each Deputy Director-General, or DDG representative, expressed pride in his country, explaining the meaning of its flag, sometimes recounting its history, or joking about the place it occupies amongst those of the other ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ Members.
Beyond that pride, however, was something even more valuable, expressed by the flag that Director-General Motojima hoisted last: the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ flag, not the flag of a country but that of a project that is of the highest importance to every country.
The youngest among the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ staff could jump for joy once the ceremony was over. ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ continues to gather momentum; our project is now visible for all, and Liman, Jean-Daniel, Kaushal, Shoko, Unkyu, Lana and Topher will see fusion go from our present large-scale scientific experiment to the every day reality of tomorrow's world.