The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 Health Communications Economy Environment Social

Background Endorsed by the UNESCO Executive Board in 2012 and UNESCO General Conference in 2013, a resolution by the UN General Assembly was adopted on 20 December 2013

Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and United States of America

IEEE Photonics Society is a Founding Partner since 2010 International Year of Light also supported by URSI and other ICSU Unions

Partnership

What the UN wants To promote light technologies for improved quality of life in developed and developing world To reduce light pollution and energy waste To promote women’s empowerment in science To promote education amongst young people To promote sustainable development

For example Internet use by population 75% in Europe 16% in Africa Study after sunset is not possible in many developing countries because there is no grid lighting

Potential is very broad Origin of Life Healthcare Communications & GPS Optical Instruments The Universe

More than science Cultural Heritage Education for All Nature Light and Art

Focus on science 1015: 1000 years of Arabic optics 1815: 200 years of Fresnel’s theory of diffraction 1865: 150 years since Maxwell’s electrodynamics 1915: Einstein Centenary, General Relativity. 1965: Cosmic Microwave Background, Penzias & Wilson Optical Fibre Technology, Charles Kao

This is like nothing we have ever done before How do we do it? In 2009, the International Year of Astronomy reached 815 million people in 148 nations

Many ways … Existing events for 2015 can be planned to focus on light and photonics We can link with a broader international and national programme of activities being planned at the moment and which will start to roll out in April-May 2014 Linking with the French National Committee is the easiest way to coordinate our actions, but we can also leverage the IEEE itself There are specific opportunities for us to help Region 8 countries in the International Year of Light, promoting science in Africa and celebrating 1000 years of Arabic optics We only have one chance at this – there will not be another technology-oriented year declared by the UN for some time

International Actions Secretariat operating out of the ICTP UNESCO Cat I centre in Trieste, Italy Coordinated globally by UNESCO HQ in Paris The Chairman of the International Steering Committee is J. Dudley (FIEEE, Besançon) so we have very straightforward ways of making contact

National Actions CNOP – organisers of 50 Years of the Laser in 2010 – have launched a national committee (open to all partners; aim is coordination and optimising resources)

The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 We have a unique chance to promote science and technology in 2015 We must take advantage of 2015 to to raise the profile of science and technology to decision-makers, funding agencies, and the public We can inspire a new generation