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10 October 2016
Measuring the Global Impact of the 2015 International Year of Light
10 October 2016
Measuring the Global Impact of the 2015 International Year of Light
Final report delivered at UNESCO headquarters; OSA attended closing ceremony in Paris
WASHINGTON – The United Nations-proclaimed International Year of Light (IYL2015) and the results of the year were presented during a ceremony in Paris, France, on 05 October 2016. The Optical Society (OSA) is a founding member of IYL, and Philip Russell, 2015 OSA President, and Chad Stark, The Optical Society (OSA) Foundation Executive Director participated in the program along with other contributing organizations. The final report highlights the 13,000 events held in 147 countries around the world.
“The importance of light and of lighting technologies facing the big challenges of our planet’s development was reinforced during the speeches of the IYL results report and it was an honor to serve as Chair during this year,” said John Dudley, Head of the Optoelectronics and Photonics research section of the CNRS research institute FEMTO-ST, France, and Chairman of the IYL 2015. “Through continued communication and outreach programs like those developed to support 2015, we can continue to bring new light-based technologies to those who need them most.”
Philip Russell, Director, Max-Planck-Institute for the Science of Light, stated, “As a founding sponsor, The Optical Society congratulates the IYL 2015 steering committee and the world-wide optics community on the huge success of the International Year of Light. As well as raising global awareness of the importance of the science and technology of light, it is a glowing example of how science can inspire cooperation in the best interests of humanity.”
Throughout 2015, The Optical Society hosted a number of global events to bring together and study the science of light. The OSA Foundation distributed over 2,500 Light BLOX Education Kits to more than 40 countries; impacting up to 75,000 students and teachers. The LightBLOX Education Kit provides students with hands on activities that introduce them to the science of light. These events and educational efforts will result in a lasting impact of the International Year of Light.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. For more information, visit osa.org/100.
About IYL 2015
The International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL 2015) was a global initiative adopted by the United Nations (A/RES/68/221) to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health. With UNESCO as lead agency, IYL 2015 programs will promote improved public and political understanding of the central role of light in the modern world while also celebrating noteworthy anniversaries in 2015—from the first studies of optics 1,000 years ago to discoveries in optical communications that power the Internet today. The IYL Global Secretariat is located at the Abdus Salam International Centre of Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy.
The Founding Partners of IYL 2015 are the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the American Physical Society (APS), the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG), the European Physical Society (EPS), the Abdus Salam International Centre of Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS), the Institute of Physics (IOP), Light: Science and Applications, the lightsources.org International Network, 1001 Inventions, The Optical Society (OSA) and the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE).
Patron Sponsors include Bosca, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), Royal Philips Lighting, Thorlabs and UL.
Media Contacts:
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