MULHOUSE, France, Sept. 20, 2011 — The European Physical Society (EPS) announced the official start of a global project that aims to have the United Nations proclaim 2015 as an International Year of Light. 

In addition to celebrating the anniversaries of important milestones in the history of science, the International Year of Light project will include important aspects of education and development. Focus will be directed on how the science of light can improve the quality of life in the developing world and emerging economies.

Light plays a central role in human activities in science, technology and culture. Light itself underpins the existence of life, and light-based technologies will guide and drive the future development of human society. Light and optics have revolutionized medicine and have opened up international communication via the Internet, and they continue to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.

Scientists and educators throughout spectrum of scientific disciplines are aware of the importance of optical science and technology for the future of international development. But as the application of light through the field of photonics becomes the key cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century, it is critical to educate and attract young students to the science and engineering fields.

It is this need to promote improved public and political understanding that has motivated the EPS to coordinate a proposal for the proclamation of an International Year of Light in 2015. The project prospectus can be downloaded from the society’s website.

The release of the prospectus will be followed by a formal request for endorsement at the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics General Assembly in November 2011. The nongovernmental organization notes that this is an important first step in the process toward approaching the UN.

For more information, visit: www.eps.org