Science is the art of answering new questions, but more and more often is facing problems which are the product of its own success. First among these is the problem posed by the relationship between scientific research and economic growth, generated by the changing equilibrium among the developed countries and the growing gap between the North and South of the planet, by a new conception of health and the quality of life and by the questions that technological progress poses for the future of human race and the environment. Scientific progress has always deeply modified social organisation and individual liife style and attitude, often indipendently from a public awareness of these transformations. Today, the relationship between science and economics is stronger than ever, and the pace of discoveries and their application is more and more rapid. Communicating to the public the potential and the limits of research is therefore indispensable to create a good relationship between science and society, between decision-makers and the citizen. Ten Nobel Laureates are invited to turn their attention to the major issues that have emerged from the redefinition of our conceptions of humanity, nature and society in the wake of scientific progress. Their lectures are divided into five sessions.

The Role of Science in the 90s Tuesday 7 december 1993 Man is by nature curious, and it is his curiosity which has been the prime mover of progress in our knowledge of the Universe, of the constituents of matter and of life which are the main objects of fundamental scientific research. Today our society needs to reflect more deeply on basic research and its applications at a time when sceptical voices are raised. This is happening precisely at a moment when science, because of its success and its increased diversity, and because of the size and cost of the new equipment required, should benefit from more resources. While I strongly believe that, because of its cultural and intellectual tradition, Europe must play a leading role, it is inevitable that we are in fact discussing here the role of science in the future of mankind. As past history has shown, science can be a catalyst for international collaboration in all domains, a role well in line with the universal character of science. However, science is in danger of becoming the scapegoat for the many difficult problems our modern society is facing. The duty of the scientist is to ensure that not only the image of science is improved, but that science will be seen as the way to finding solutions for those difficult problems at the root of mankind's survival. The scientist's responsibility is becoming increasingly important both for developing the tools needed and for informing the political powers of their availability. Science in the 1990s must therefore defend itself not only for what it is but, more importantly, for what it represents as a key to the continuous and harmonious evolution of mankind. It is a tremendous challenge for all of us to raise our consciousness of the crucial role we must play. The resulting essay has been translated into Italian and published in the book Scienza, economia, etica per il prossimo secolo. Dieci Nobel per il futuro. (Marsilio, Venezia 1994).