People at CERN, the European laboratory for particle physics, study the smallest constituents of matter and the Universe and the laws of nature at the most fundamental level. They do so by building and operating very complex, advanced instruments (particle accelerators and detectors) and by developing cutting-edge technologies in many domains, from superconducting magnets to electronics, cryogenics, vacuum techniques, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, some of which have revolutionised society and our day-by-day life. Finally, CERN is a brilliant example of collaboration across borders with its community of 17,000 people from all over the world and more than 110 nationalities represented. This presentation covers CERN’s mission and objectives, with particular emphasis on the Higgs boson, its role in the early universe and its importance for our own existence.