The third EPS–ICTP–UNESCO–SEENET-MTP Workshop, as a part of Project “Towards the integration of the physics community in CEI countries into the ERA” on Physics Education was held in Trieste on December 11-12, 2014.

1. The International Year of Light
and Light-based Technologies
2015
CommunicationsHealth Economy Environment Social
J. Niemela, ICTP

2. Launching the Initiative…nearly
3 years ago Varenna, Italy

3. Adopted unanimously with second committee co-sponsors: Argentina, Australia,
Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau,
Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey,
Ukraine and United States of America

4. Aims of the UN resolution
To promote light technologies for improved quality
of life in developed and developing world
To promote public appreciation of science
To reduce light pollution and energy waste
To promote women’s empowerment in science
To promote education amongst young people
To promote sustainable development

5. Many supporters

6. Communication
Secretariat ICTP, a UNESCO Category I Center
Website hosted and developed by lightsources.org

7. Why 2015?
1015 Ibn Al Haythem Book of Optics
1815 Fresnel and the wave nature of light
1865 Maxwell and electromagnetic waves
1915 General relativity – cosmology to GPS
1965 Cosmic microwave background; Charles Kao
and optical fibre technology

8. Activities and Themes
Origin of Life
Healthcare
Photonics
Lasers
Communications
The Universe
Lighting
Art & Culture
…

9. Focus on development
Internet use by population
75% in Europe
16% in Africa
Study after sunset is not
possible in many developing
countries

10. Focus on public interest
Smart lighting can both highlight culture and reduce light pollution
Photonics provides solutions in many areas – from art to archaeology
Laser imaging
at Caracol, Mexico

11. The partnership has existing student networks of 10000+ of
young people – an enthusiastic volunteer base to interact with the
public
Young scientists will serve as role models for future scientists
Young people at the center

12. Optics is one of the fields of science with the closest links to industry
and a major economic driver
Professional Societies in the Partnership contain 1000+ of corporate
members, and interact with 20000+ companies
Amplify industry’s role in international outreach programmes
Linkages with industry

13. A light source to create new science and build new bridges
SESAME : Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and
Applications in the Middle East
Synchrotrons create powerful light that lasers cannot
International Cooperation

14. Science for Peace

15. LED Art (e.g., below is Teddy Lo, Hong Kong)
Taiwan Lantern Festival

16. Philippines
Ghana
Tunisia
Morocco
Mexico
Brazil
Chile
Algeria
Tanzania
Colombia
Cameroon
Zambia
India
Nepal
Rwanda
Armenia
Thailand
Ethiopia
Georgia
Chad….
Major program support from SPIE
(+ OSA, ICO, NAS, ICTP,…..)
UNESCO/ICTP
Active Learning in Optics and Photonics (ALOP)

17. ALOP in Pictures

18. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF LIGHT
& LIGHT-BASED TECHNOLOGIES
IYL2015 Global Secretariat
ICTP, UNESCO Category I Institute
Strada Costiera, 11
I-34151, Trieste, Italy
Light2015@ictp.it
John Dudley
Steering Committee Chair
International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015
president@eps.org
Joe Niemela
Global Coordinator
International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015
j.niemela@unesco.org
CONTACT US!
WEBSITE:
www.light2015.org
(goes live mid-July)