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02 February 2016
The Optical Society Joins Closing Ceremonies for the International Year of Light
02 February 2016
The Optical Society Joins Closing Ceremonies for the
International Year of Light
Initiative Promoted the Role of Light-Based Technological Solutions to Global Challenges
WASHINGTON – The science of light improves most every facet of modern life. The United Nations-proclaimed International Year of Light (IYL2015) will be brought to an official close with a ceremony to be held in Mérida, Mexico 4-6 February 2016. Ahead of the official closing, on 2 February the United Nations will host a program on Ibn Al-Haytham’s seminal contributions to optics and light in New York, New York, USA. The Optical Society (OSA) will participate in both events: Elizabeth Rogan, CEO, The Optical Society, will deliver remarks in New York, and in Mexico, OSA will unveil its century of optics exhibit, part of a year-long, global program to promote the society’s 100th anniversary.
“Every day around the world, optical technologies help improve the quality of life – from powering cutting-edge surgeries to generating clean energy the science of light impacts nearly every facet of our modern economy,” said Elizabeth Rogan, CEO, The Optical Society. “As a founding sponsor, we commend the IYL 2015 steering committee and the optics community for their time and dedication to ensuring that the International Year of Light raised global awareness for the science of light.”
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 Light BLOX Education Kit provides students with hands on activities that introduce them to the science of light. These events and educational efforts will be the lasting impact of the International Year of Light.
International Year of Light Closing Events
International Year of Light: Inspiring Youth to Take Action Towards the 2030 Agenda
2 February 2016, 1:15 – 2:45 PM
UN Headquarters, New York, USA
Event Details: IYL and Ibn Al-Haytham
International Year of Light Closing Ceremony
4 – 6 February 2016
Yucatan Siglo XXI Convention Center, Mérida, Mexico
Event Details: IYL2015Closing.org
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) is 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).
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:
mediarelations@osa.org
