Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Light
© UNESCO/Nora Houguenade. Opening ceremony at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, France
Over a thousand participants came to UNESCO on 19-20 January 2015 to learn about the many ways in which light is making a difference in our daily lives and to exchange ideas on the solutions light-based technologies can provide to current global challenges. The 2-day opening ceremony of the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL2015) gathered leading scientists, including 5 Nobel Prize winners, as well as decision makers, NGO representatives and industry representatives to discuss all aspects of light, from the quantum to improved street lighting or affordable glasses.
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The programme included lectures by five Nobel Prize laureates: Ahmed Zewail (“Light and Life”); Steven Chu (“Energy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities”); William Phillips (“Einstein, Time and Light”); Serge Haroche (“Light and the Quantum”) and Zhores Alferov (“Efficient Light Conversion and Generation”).
The launch of the international Year of Light was also punctuated by thematic sessions on various topics, such as the role of optical technologies in development, the future of light-based technologies and the practical solutions they can provide.
Watch the full event online:
© UNESCO/Nora Houguenade. Installation "Light is Here" by Finnish artist Kari Kola.
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