Today, May 16th, the International Day of Light is celebrated worldwide, an event that takes place every year and commemorates the first laser light emission by physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman on May 16, 1960. The International Basic Sciences Program of UNESCO is responsible for coordinating the celebration of this day on behalf of the United Nations.
The International Day of Light is an international project that provides a platform for the constant appreciation of light and its role in science, culture, arts, education, sustainable development, and diverse sectors such as medicine, communications, and energy.
It is a day that highlights how science, technology, art, and culture can contribute to UNESCO’s goals in education, equality, and peace. According to Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, “Without light, our planet would be nothing but a cold and sterile place. Indeed, where there is light, there is often an abundance of life. But light represents even more for humanity. Light goes hand in hand with knowledge; it is a lens through which we can see and understand the world.”
On this special day, celebrated a month after Earth Day, various seminars and meetings take place worldwide, organized by individuals from within and outside the scientific community, giving people the opportunity to continue appreciating the crucial role that both science and light-related technology play in the lives of people around the world.
It is a day that helps create new connections between scientific fields, education, and the arts, addressing the urgent need for interdisciplinary science and fostering better communication between citizens, scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and non-governmental organizations.
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