The spoken word shall prevail.
Ladies and gentlemen,
When the Benedict Prize of Mönchengladbach was revived 12 years ago after a “pause,” the world was completely different from today—I will come back to that in a moment.
I extend a very warm welcome to this year’s laureate, Professor Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, who is accompanied by her husband, Dr. Mathias Kammüller. We are also delighted that Dr. Alexander Erdland is here to deliver the laudatory address. Please welcome the Lord Mayor of the City of Mönchengladbach, Felix Heinrichs, the Member of the State Parliament Jochen Klenner, and Mayor Yolanda Hoogtanders from Roermond.
Twelve years ago, the world was largely peaceful; our country had energy in the form of electricity at still acceptable prices and gas at low prices in unlimited quantities, the economy was booming, and Germany was supposed to be able to manage anything, as our then Federal Chancellor put it.
Jean-Claude Juncker, Queen Silvia of Sweden, and the journalist Dunja Hayali were fitting laureates—after all, the world still seemed to be in order.
After the award ceremony had to be cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, the world began to turn upside down from 2022 onwards with the start of the Ukraine war and a presidential election in the USA. Antisemitism grew—so what could have been more fitting than awarding the Benedict Prize to Günther Demnig, as a reminder of the Holocaust and, at the same time, as an urgent warning to stay vigilant. And we must remain so in view of the election result in Saxony-Anhalt as well.
And when, two years ago, here at this very place, Joachim Gauck warned in an impressive speech of Russia as an instigator of war, this was a very courageous message: that Ukraine needs support—if we do not merely want to preach Christian and Western values, but also live them!
Saint Benedict of Nursia, whose name our prize bears, did not only preach ora et labora; in that spirit, he also stated that it was time to rise and stand up.
That is exactly what you stand for, dear Professor Leibinger-Kammüller: together with the Executive Board—on which your husband serves as Chief Digital Officer—you lead your company, with 17,000 employees and revenues of more than EUR 4 billion, with a deeply Christian, humane entrepreneurial spirit. Against the backdrop of the changed geopolitical situation, you have decided to assume responsibility and will produce defensive laser weapons for drone defence. In addition, you are exploring options for producing lasers for fusion power plants—a potential key technology for the energy supply of the future.
After studying German Studies, English Studies and Japanese Studies, you began your path to success at TRUMPF in Japan—thus embodying Japanese discipline, total dedication to the task, and the striving to make something not merely good, but perfect. This requires consideration, respect and a group mindset, as well as humility and a focus on what is essential.
So who, today, in 2026, in this world that in many places has been turned upside down, could be more suitable than you to receive this prize? Germany can count itself fortunate to have entrepreneurial personalities like you—admire them, too. This degree of social and civic responsibility is rarely matched anywhere in the world and makes you a worthy recipient of the Benedict Prize.
Let us celebrate together today—not only your achievements, but also what this prize stands for: the unifying power of dialogue, the courage to seek understanding, and the hope for a better future for Europe and the world.
I thank you all for sharing this special moment with us.
