The Award Ceremony for the 2012 (20th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on October 29th, 2012. Some 450 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with to the majestic strains of pipe organ music.

The Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and the Chairperson of the Screening Committee of Experts accompanied by a representative of the host, and introduced the members of their respective committees.

The guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included Mr. Patrick Joseph Linehan, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe, Mr. Yasuhiro Kajiwara, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (on behalf of Minister, MAFF); Mr. Norio Sato, Deputy Director-General, City and Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, MLIT); Mr. Yasuyuki Ogawa, Vice Governor, Osaka Prefectural Government (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Mr. Seigo Tanaka, Vice Mayor, Osaka Municipal Government (on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City). Expo'90 Foundation President Kazuo Sumi declared the Ceremony open and Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Takashi Imai delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto, as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, described the prizewinner selection process. Then, Dr. Edward Wilson, the 2011 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform to a warm round of applause. Chairperson Kishimoto outlined the reasons for the Award.

Dr. Wilson was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize and a medallion by Chairperson Imai and Expo'90 Foundation Vice Chairperson, Mr. Tadataka Sato.

On behalf of the guests, MAFF Parliamentary Secretary Kajiwara read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, and Consul General Linehan read a congratulatory message from Mr. John V. Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

Finally, Dr. Wilson delivered the prizewinner's address. A further round of applause for Dr. Wilson brought the first section of the Ceremony to a close.

In the second, celebratory section of the Ceremony, a congratulatory video message from Lars Heikensten, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation, was shown, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the International Cosmos prize. Then introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a pianist and an ensemble.

The 2012 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Yasuda Auditorium, The University of Tokyo, (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) on October 25, and at L-Osaka,L-Theater (Chuo-ku, Osaka) on November 1.

Prize recipient, Dr. Edward Wilson delivered commemorative lectures themed"Future of Life."

At Tokyo, Dr. Wilson had a discussion with Dr. Mariko Hasegawa about "The World of Dr. Wilson."

At Osaka, Sir Ghillean Prance delivered a lecture themed "Creating harmony with nature."

At both Tokyo and Osaka, there were active Q&A sessions between Dr. Wilson and high school students who had enthusiastically prepared for the occasions.

Commemorative Lecture in Tokyo attended by 800 people

Commemorative Lecture in Osaka attended by approx.500 people

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