The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2004, Blaðsíða 7

Vol. 59 #2
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
49
ing ultra-specialized technology and
research where in many cases they rank
with world leaders in their fields. Icelandic
companies and institutions are working on
research projects and trials with partners
such as Roche, Pharmacia, Merck,
Novartis, AstraZeneca, Applied
Biosystems, Affymetrix, Genmab, Bespak
pic. and many more. Iceland has reached a
leading position within the OECD coun-
tries contributing over 3% of its GDP to
R&D work.”
Caring and sharing is what the com-
munity should stand for. Open your hearts
and open your wallets. The society that
gave birth to us needs us.
I have set up free rent for the Logberg-
Heimskringla and will provide space for
any other Icelandic group that needs the
space now or later and I have made a five-
year commitment to provide the rent-free
location. I also provide tickets to Iceland as
a prize for charitable events in Edmonton.
These are a small example of what can be
done but it’s a way of having people go to
Iceland and spend their dollars there.
Anyone can do something like it and I’d be
glad to suggest ways for those who wish to
contact me.
In conclusion, I hope readers will for-
give my impatience with this subject but I
am very passionate about it. I think about it
a lot. I know we can make a difference if we
just commit to think about it. Icelanders
are a great and proud people; we have given
much to the world and our time has come
to achieve greatness. But it won’t happen
unless all of us who have found prosperity
in a welcoming society start to give some-
thing back. Can we please begin that effort
now?
Ejodraeknisfelag Islendinga i Vesturheimi
PRESIDENT: Walter Sopher
Support Icelandic culture and heritage
by joining your local chapter, or contact:
The Icelandic National League
#103-94 First Ave. Gimli, MB ROC 1B1
Tel: (204) 642-5897 • Fax: (204) 642-7151
intSmts.net