At the 39th Session of the UNESCO general conference, 16 May, has been proclaimed as the International Day of Light (IDL). This day will provide an enduring legacy to UNESCO’s highly successful International Year of Light in 2015 that reached over 100 million people in over 140 countries.
The first IDL celebration is planned for 16 May 2018. This date marks the anniversary of the first operation of a laser beam, on 16 May 1960, by Theodore Maiman.
The annual International Day will enable global appreciation of the central role that light and light-based technologies play in the lives of the citizens of the world in areas of science, technology, culture, education, and sustainable development.
In a release issued by UNESCO stated that the proposal was adopted during the 39th session of the General Conference of UNESCO on Wednesday 14 November in Paris, France.
The proclamation of this annual International Day will enable global appreciation of the central role that light plays in our daily lives in areas of science, culture, education, sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy.
On the most fundamental level, through photosynthesis, light is at the origin of life itself, and the many applications of light have had a transformative impact on society. Light-based technologies are increasingly providing solutions to global challenges in, energy, education, agriculture, and community health. Applications of light-based technologies are key enablers to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the developing world.
The broad theme of light will allow many different sectors of society to participate in activities around the world that will raise awareness of science and technology, as well as art and culture and their importance in achieving the goals of UNESCO in promoting education, equality and peace.
ZJ/16/11/17
Friday November 17, 2017.
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