"Like many encounters that happen by chance, I once met in 1995, the creator of KEO. The creations of Jean-Marc Philippe combine the most advanced domains of technology and in particular those of materials. Thus it was most logical for the Center of Materials of the Ecole des Mines of Paris to join hands with KEO.

The artistic and technical originality of the project, its humanitarian content, and its cultural universality have immediately sparked off a curious interest amongst the students and researchers that are generally involved in "utilitarian" work. They have been equally impressed by the benevolent participation of all the universities and the industrial partners.

In a society that is increasingly becoming dependant on technology, where paradoxically the number of young European people pursuing scientific studies is declining, a project such as KEO can reorient this trend which is damaging the future."