Introduction

Abstract

It is both a great honour and a profound satisfaction for me to take the chair at this plenary meeting of our Academy. In these days we shall discuss subjects of great and vivid interest not only in a strictly scientific field but also — as I would like to add — in the human and moral domains. In extending a most cordial welcome and best wishes, also on behalf of all Italian Fellows of the Academy, to the Secretary General and Presidium of the W.A. A.S., to those Fellows who will take part in our work, and to all people who have desired to honour us with their gratifying presence, I beg to express my joyfully moved feelings that Rome has been chosen as the seat of such an important event. Doubtless, many other cities in the world would have been just as worthy to be hosts, but perhaps no one more than Rome could express fully that spirit, those essential values, we invoke to enlighten and guide us in the tasks we have set ourselves.