This year, philosopher Prof. Paul van Tongeren is the Thinker of the Motherland ('Denker des Vaderlands'). He was unable to attend the conference but was willing to record a video message. It will be a call to continue to strengthen humanities education at the universities, both in and in addition to the sciences. As far as he is concerned, there lies an important difference with research laboratories in the business community and therefore a great added value for the university. “If we don't ensure that an increase in our 'knowing' is accompanied by an ability to 'think' (both terms in quotes to be explained) we are doing ourselves a disservice,” says Paul van Tongeren.