selected among proposals received from participants. Around 500 contribu­ tions were also presented as posters. Plenary lectures as well as general thematic lectures were addressed to a general audience of theoricians, not only to specialists. According to our commitments towards UNESCO and other sponsoring insti­ tutions, TH-2002 attributed more than 200 fellowships, mostly to scientists from developing countries and Eastern Europe, covering registration fees and, for more than half of them, stay expenses with student type accomodation. Special highlights of the conference included . the opening ceremony on July 22, with the participation of Mrs Claudie Haignere, French Minister of Research, and M. Walter Erdelen, General Ad­ joint Director for Sciences at UNESCO. Their opening addresses were espe­ cially appreciated and are reproduced below. This ceremony preceded the first lecture by Professor Cohen- Tannoudji, Physics Nobel prize winner.