A conference of academics and intellectuals, including a number of Nobel laureates, got under way Tuesday in the U.A.E. to discuss issues of environment, conflict, education, trade restrictions, innovation, cultural diversity, youth, and scientific research and development. The four day "Festival of Thinkers" organized by the Higher Colleges of Technology and held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, brings together leading international intellectuals from a wide array of fields and sciences. In his opening address, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan, the Emirates' education minister, warned against the recurring waves of anti-intellectualism and stressed that philosophers, humanists and scientists were all equally valuable to a society. "There is no craft, no trade, no profession that I know where the society will not benefit if the person who enters it is familiar with modern science, has a grasp of mathematical concepts, is trained in the arts and humanities, and has the ability to communicate his or her own ideas," he said. The conference, which will include panels, workshops, and discussion sessions, aims to foster creativity and overcome cultural obstacles. Tuesday's session "Future Opportunities" focused on sustainable development and water issues.