This opinion piece is reproduced with permission from the editorial of the Saturday 27 September issue of Le Temps.

The opportunity to be guest editor of such a respected newspaper as Le Temps is one not to be missed, and I grabbed it with both hands. It’s a chance for me to engage with the people who graciously welcome CERN as a neighbour, to share with you some of our ideals and to talk a little about things that matter to me. So when I took part in the briefing hebdomadaire de la redaction on Monday, I asked for two things: at least one, dedicated, good news column this week, and inserts describing the science behind the headlines for one article each day. I’ve much enjoyed reading the result, as I hope you have too. Why these two things? While there’s no doubt that bad things happen, good things happen too, and I believe that bringing them to the fore can help inspire positive thinking. And why so much science? Because everything these days depends on it, so it’s important to know the science behind the news.

Here’s my piece of good news for today: CERN turns 60 on Monday [29 September]. Among the pioneers at the origins of CERN was Denis de Rougemont, at whose 1949 European Cultural Conference in Lausanne the idea of a European lab as a centre of excellence and island of peace was first mooted. Later, Geneva Conseiller d’Etat, Albert Picot, did much to ensure that CERN found a home, and a very warm welcome, in Geneva.

Pioneers like these established CERN with two bold ambitions: to create a European centre of scientific excellence, and a place where the nations of Europe could work peacefully together after a period of conflict. Sixty years on, we remain true to those ideals. CERN leads the world in its field, and people of over 100 nationalities rub shoulders here every day.

To this, I can add a related piece of good news: the CERN story might be repeating itself in another troubled region. For many years now, scientists and diplomats have been working towards the establishment of a regional laboratory for the Middle East. That lab is called SESAME; its construction is well underway in Jordan, with research due to begin in 2016. At SESAME, you are equally likely to run into an Iranian as an Israeli or someone from many other parts of the region, all pursuing the common dream of scientific excellence and peace among neighbours.

This newspaper covers science so well, and has done a particularly good job this week, so I need hardly elaborate on the second string of my editorial line. Instead, I would like to close with a few words on why it is so important that CERN is here. When we were founded, Geneva’s location, neutrality and the spirit of openness shown by the people of Geneva were important factors: other international organizations had already made their home here. These things are just as true today. Geneva is the international hub of the world, and I am proud that CERN is part of it.

The issue includes articles on a range of subjects chosen by Heuer, including some written by him – such as an interview with the acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Michael Møller – and his own commentary on current affairs. In addition, in an exclusive interview, he talks about the scientific importance of the restart of the LHC. Heuer has also been responsible for the contents of a special edition of the Samedi Culturel supplement that combines art, science and spirituality. At his request, British physicist Andrew Briggs, a professor at the University of Oxford, writes about how he reconciles his passion for science with his religious beliefs. Heuer, meanwhile, looks back at 60 years of CERN in a commentary on six carefully selected pictures. He has also written a piece on two popes, Benedict XVI and François, both of whom he has had the honour of meeting.

The daily newspaper and the Samedi Culturel supplement are available to download in PDF format.