The Laureates were selected by a jury of 15 eminent international scientists, presided over by Nobel Laureate Professor Gunter Blobel, from Rockefeller University, and Christian de Duve (formerly from Rockefeller University) of the Institute of Cellular Pathology in Belgium. Laureates are nominated by hundreds of respected scientists from around the world. The Awards recognize five Laureates, one from each of the five continents: Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Each Laureate receives USD$100,000.
"L'ORÉAL's' commitment alongside UNESCO in the For Women in Science partnership is a concrete expression of our firm intention to promote women in scientific research," said Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman and CEO of L'ORÉAL. "Innovation is a core value that has been nurtured since the Group's founding and we want to participate in the creation of new careers throughout the world."
The L'ORÉAL-UNESCO Award is part of the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science program, a multi dimensional program consisting of three parts:
Since the For Women in Science program's inception in 1998, 132 women from 60 countries have been recognized as either Laureates or Fellows for their contributions to scientific progress. The For Women in Science program works to encourage women scientists to persevere under sometimes challenging circumstances, such as social stigmas and gender biases. By giving women in science a public face, the program seeks to provide the next generation of women scientists with inspirational role models.
"The commitment of a group such as L'ORÉAL alongside an organization like UNESCO is a perfect example of the sort of partnership which we can engage in with the private sector," said Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO.
To commemorate UNESCO's 60th anniversary L'ORÉAL and UNESCO awarded a special tribute to Professor Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, 1995 Nobel Prize in Medicine, "For her efforts in supporting highly qualified women with children to facilitate their progress in science". The Tribute was accompanied by a $100,000 donation to the Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation.
Nüsslein-Volhard created the foundation in 2003 to alleviate the difficulties that women face in reconciling family life and research. Through the foundation, she hopes to make a contribution to the advancement of highly qualified women in leading scientific research institutions. She is currently the Director of Genetics at the Max Planck Institute in Tübingen, Germany.
For more information on the Laureates, the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO partnership, or the Tribute for UNESCO's 60th anniversary, please visit: www.forwomeninscience.com
ABOUT L'ORÉAL
L'ORÉAL is a worldwide leader in the cosmetics industry, developing innovative products to meet the diverse needs of customers in 130 countries worldwide. Over 3,100 people work in the Group's 14 research centers, located in France, Asia and America. Their findings are responsible for the registration of hundreds of patents annually. Women represent 55% of the research workforce – a percentage unmatched anywhere else in the industry. www.loreal.com
ABOUT UNESCO
Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO has been dedicated to eliminating all forms of discrimination and promoting equality between men and women. While designing scientific education programs intended especially for young women, UNESCO has created several academic chairs that connect women of science around the world. The international report on science, technology and gender that UNESCO will shortly publish is intended help its 191 Member States develop appropriate policies in this area. www.unesco.org/science/women