As a teenager growing up in a city riven by religious conflict, I found Arthur C. Clarke one of the early guides to a more rational way of thinking. I loved his early short stories, I loved his mid-period novels, and I forgave the later collaborations. Sometimes his wit could baffle translators, but his compassionate vision of the future of humanity was always clear.

I was deeply honoured to carry on his vision as one of the judges of the 2015 Arthur C. Clarke Award. He created our world in so many ways.