(At the Opening Ceremony Professor Bjarne Berulfsen, Director of the ISS, welcomed over 400 students to Oslo—“the largest amount of students we have had as our honoured guests”. He made us aware that we have come to a small country, in regard to population and geographical area, but reminded us that the Greek contributions to philosophy and literature came from a nation the size of a Norwegian county.)
“At the last year’s farewell coffee hour, it was regretted by both guests and hosts that the Summer School was under-represented by participants from developing countries. I think that statement was a useful stimulus for the planning of this year’s activity. At any rate the initiative and exertion on the part of the Board and Administration has led to a notable increase of students from those quarters…We feel that we have been able to perform one of the principle duties of our institution, both for this year and the years to come: to fill the gap, or at least build up a solid bridge, between rich and poor countries, and thereby contribute to a better world than it is today….”
“It is so often been said with a quotation from Voltaire that we are living in the best of worlds. At least we know of no better one. Nevertheless, I think that everybody often feels inclined to express a mild or strong protest. It is true, the newspapers, the radio, the TV can bring nearly incredible news of mankind’s enormous victories in science and culture….Last summer I could venture a prophecy that the day was probably near when a man would set his foot on other planets. That gigantic step of mankind has now been performed and repeated. And daring adventurers have dived to the greatest depths of the ocean, they drive faster than the speed of sound, they transplant hearts from individual to individual and thereby lengthen the lives of people who were doomed to inevitable death. Yes, mankind has certainly reached very far, and the sectors in which the unattainable will be overcome, will grow, and grow rapidly. It is certainly an exciting world to live in. “But on the other hand, the same obtrusive means of communication tell us daily that the prospects for mankind are rather grim. In all parts of the world people are fighting each other with atrocious weapons. Areas that could have been proclaimed as free have been occupied by hostile armies. Races are against other races, and religious parties, even those who worship the same God, attack each other with guns and bombs…How good a reason we have to repeat Henrik Wergeland’s pessimistic complaint from one hundred and thirty years ago: “Why is mankind making so slow progress?’
“We who are working at the summer school would certainly deceive ourselves if we thought that we could solve the destructive difficulties that seem unsurmountable to hard-working members of the United Nations. But we can do one thing:…we can in our daily work and conduct practice respect for those who come here with different viewpoints. And best of all, we can compel ourselves to show respect for the language—for the living word…If people shall be able to understand each other and respect each other, it is essential that we grasp the meaning of what our neighbors have to say…”
“You who come here represent different races and religions, different political ideas and ideals; you are familiar with languages that are completely unknown to other students. We often teach our children in Norway a song with a refrain that it is only outwardly that people are unlike each other. Their inner qualifications are the same. It is an idealistic song giving expression to an American president’s word that all people are born alike. But I do not think it is right. All people are different in nearly all respects. And I would add that it I this difference that makes them individuals that have something to give to other people…”
(In conclusion, Dr. Berulfsen cited an example, from Charles Dickens who describes a typical English street where the dwelling houses are all outwardly similar, yet made distinct by the variety of door-knockers. He applied this example to the participants of the summer school as individuals who have come from different backgrounds and different conditions, displaying different door-knockers giving entrance to the individual living inside.)
“I will conclude by wishing all of you again a happy summer school. May it be advantageous to you, and may you also contribute to making it advantageous to the school…Good luck and blessings to everybody.”