IYL2015 Final Report
IYL2015 Final Report: It’s been a successful Community Partnership with Global Outreach
The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 (IYL 2015) was proclaimed at the United Nations General Assembly in December 2013. Under the leadership of UNESCO, IYL 2015 brought together hundreds of (inter)national partners to raise awareness of the importance of light science and technology in areas such as sustainable development, energy, education, climate-change, and health.
IYL2015: A remarkable diversity of over 13,000 events took place throughout the year with an impact in 147 countries.
IYL2015: A diversity of Remarkable Events
The IYL2015 Opening Ceremony in Paris in January 2015 set the scene for the year of light, and throughout the year over 13,000 events took place with an impact in 147 countries. Centered around various topics and target groups, such as education and outreach for students and the public, specialist workshops in science and industry, forums on the historical development of science, conferences on sustainable development; from public light festival and displays to works of music and light art and lighting literature. Events were targeted at all levels—from preschool children learning science for the first time, to politicians, diplomats, and even royalty convening high-level meetings discussing the importance of technology for the future.
One of the impressive IYL2015 Events: Rainbow Station by Dutch Studio Roosegaarde. Picture credits: Studio Roosegaarde.
IYL 2015 Final Report: A Synthetic Account of IYL 2015
The IYL 2015 Final Report describes first its origins and goals, and then providing a summary of the many events and activities that took place worldwide. The report also contains information on organisation and communications, and it is hoped that these details may provide guidance for others who may wish to organize a similar global outreach initiative in the future. It is now up to us to build on what we have learned and what we have accomplished during 2015 to continue to work together for the betterment of all.
This post was inspired by the closing letter of John Dudley, Chairman of the IYL 2015 Steering Committee. In case you want to read the full report, here’s a link to the International Year of Light 2015 pages where you can download the .PDF document.
