The Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) celebrates its 125-year anniversary with a new strategy for its future development (consisting of 14 research programmes) and also with its new logo. Part of the speech of the CAS President delivered at the 45th Session of the Academiy Assembly (16th December 2014) is published with the aim of presenting the important ideas behind the Strategy AV21 for the 21st century. and Jiří Drahoš.