International Year of Light Prospectus
In view of the 27th IUPAP General Assembly which will be held in London, on 31 October – 4 November this year, an EPS prospectus for the declaration of an International Year of Light (IYOL) is being prepared. The preliminary version can be downloaded from the EPS web page.
The prospectus describes the project, which will request the proclamation of the IYOL by the United Nations General Assembly and provides background information to be considered by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics.
Light plays a central role in human activities in science, technology and culture. Light itself underpins the existence of life, and light-based technologies will guide and drive the future development of human society. Light and optics have revolutionized medicine, have opened up international communication via the Internet, and continue to be central to linking cultural, economical and political aspects of the global society. Advances in lighting and solar energy are considered crucial for future sustainable development.
Scientists and educators in a large variety of scientific disciplines – ranging from physics to astronomy, chemistry, material science, biology, etc – are well aware of the tremendous importance of optical science and technology for future international development. Yet as the application of light through the field of photonics becomes the key cross-cutting scientific discipline of the 21st century, it is critical that the brightest young minds continue to be attracted into science and engineering careers in this field.
It is this need to promote improved public and political understanding of the central role of light in the modern world which has motivated the EPS to coordinate a proposal for the proclamation of an International Year of Light in 2015. As well as celebrating the anniversaries of important milestones in the history of science that fall that year, the IYOL project will include important aspects of education and development, focusing specifically on how the science of light can improve the quality of life in the developing world and emerging economies.
The project involves many international partners, representing major international scientific societies from all branches of physics. The release of the EPS prospectus will be followed by a formal request for endorsement at the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics General Assembly 2011. This is the important first step in the process of approaching the United Nations.
