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