Relatively a new enterprise, the Dan David prize is one of the most esteemed awards handed every year. One exceptional aspect about it is that it covers three time dimensions: past, present and future. Each one of these embodies a great accomplishment by one or more people.
The past refers to achievements that assist us in expanding our knowledge of the past.
The present refers to achievements that contribute to our modern society.
The future refers to accomplishments that have the greatest of potential for the advancing our future.
This prize is not limited to one field, or even to science alone, which is another aspect that makes it unique. In every year a specific subject is chosen for every time dimension. Furthermore, each prize consists of 1 million dollars, though 10% of these are given by the laureates to students and scholars in the chosen field for the given time frame.
The year 2006 was a special year:
- The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma was given the prize for the past, for preserving our cultural heritage.
- Four well known journalists: Goenawan Mohamad, Adam Michnik, Monica Gonzalez and Magdi Allam, won the award for the present, for for fighting and risking their lives for free press.
- Two eminent scientists: Dr. John Mendelsohn, and Dr. Joseph Schlessinger, were given the prize for the future, for their enormous contributions for treatment of cancer and cancer therapy.