On 29 September, it will be 60 years since CERN – the European Organization for Nuclear Research – came into being as the first scientific pan-European endeavour. Just a few years after the Second World War, 12 European countries joined forces and built what has become the world’s largest particle-physics laboratory. To mark the anniversary, this year CERN will celebrate 60 years of cutting-edge science for peace. In this issue, CERN’s current director-general writes how the organization has fulfilled the vision of its founders to provide for collaboration among European states in pure and fundamental scientific research “with no concern for military requirements” (Viewpoint: A celebration of science for peace). Celebratory events will take place throughout the year in the member states – now numbering 21 – and at CERN. In particular, at the beginning of July a joint event with UNESCO in Paris will mark the anniversary of the initial signing, in 1953, of the convention that was to establish the organization under the auspices of UNESCO a year later. On 29 September, an event at CERN attended by high-level representatives from all of the member states will celebrate – 60 years to the day – the official birth of the organization in 1954.
• For more about 60 years of CERN in this and future issues of CERN Courier, look out for the logo!
