UNESCO welcomes leading scientists today for the International Day of Light, to celebrate the role that light plays in our daily lives. Researchers and thought leaders will gather to discuss how light-based technologies can be used to meet pressing challenges in diverse areas, such as medicine, education, agriculture, and energy. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will open the event, in which several renowned scientists will participate, including: Kip Thorne, 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics, California Institute of Technology Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, 1997 Nobel Prize in Physics, Collège de France Khaled Toukan, Director of the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) based in Allan, Jordan The program will address a range of key issues from scientific policy, to humans’ perception of the universe, to international cooperation among the world’s scientific leaders and researchers. Keynote speakers and roundtable discussions will highlight the contributions of experts and scientists from around the world. Today’s program will also include cultural events, an illumination of UNESCO headquarters in Paris, a photonics science show, and an exhibit on the advances of light-based technologies and art. The proclamation of May 16 as the International Day of Light was endorsed by UNESCO’s executive board, following a proposal developed by representatives from Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, and the Russian Federation, and approved by the UNESCO General Conference in November 2017. Visit this link for the detailed program celebrating today’s International Day of Light. More information about the International Day of Light is available here. . . . And here!