Light is one of most important factors in terms of existence and survival, and it is impossible to perceive any existence without light. Fortunately, our main source to light, the sun, is a stable source, but large parts of the world’s population have limited access to light in the dark parts of the day, while others parts of the world again has plenty. UN and UNESCO, thus have decided that the Light of Year 2015 will not only focus on science, but also focus on light seen from a social point of view.
This International Year has been initiated by a large consortium of scientific bodies together with UNESCO, and will bring together many different stakeholders including scientific societies and unions, educational institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organizations and partners in the private sector.
In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications, the United Nations has recognized the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.
Light plays a vital role in our daily lives and is an imperative cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century. It has revolutionized medicine, opened up international communication via the Internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.
However, lack of light also provides the opposite for those that are affected; a serious threat to cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society, which they are not a real part of due to the lack of light.
An International Year of Light is a tremendous opportunity to ensure that international policymakers and stakeholders are made aware of the problem-solving potential of light technology. We now have a unique opportunity to raise global awareness of this.
One of the instigators to the year has been European Physical Society and the activities in the Nordic countries will mainly be coordinated by the corresponding societies in these countries.
The hope is that the Year of Light 2015 will provide not only scientific advances, but also contribute to improve living conditions in the parts of the world lacking the essential light.
You can follow the preparation for the year and the year’s activities through the main website:
Or national websites in the different countries