International Year of Chemistry

The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) was a year-long commemorative event for the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to humankind.[1] The recognition for chemistry was made official by the United Nations in December 2008. Events for the year were coordinated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.[2][3]

Background

The UN resolution calling for the International Year of Chemistry in 2011 was submitted by Ethiopia and co-sponsored by 23 nations. A case was made that chemistry makes a vital contribution towards achieving the goals of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005–2014.

Theme

The theme of IYC2011 was "Chemistry–our life, our future". It focused on the "achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind."[1] It aimed to raise awareness of chemistry among the general public and to attract young people into the field, as well as to highlight the role of chemistry in solving global problems.[4]

Events

IYC 2011 events were organized by national chemical societies, such as the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Brazilian Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and by regional chemical federations, such as the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences and the Federation of African Societies of Chemistry.[5][6][7][8]

IUPAC selected 25 women for the Distinguished Women Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Award.[9] These included Ada Yonath of Israel, Chulabhorn Walailak of Thailand, Lesley Yellowlees of the UK and Joanna S. Fowler of the US.

The IYC holds a full list of events on its website.[10] Events scheduled were billed as: conferences, congresses, symposia, fairs, exhibitions, expositions, grand openings, lectures, meetings, open discussions, workshops, celebrations, shows, art exhibitions, and quizzes.

The IYC Closing Event was held in Brussels, Belgium on 1 December 2011.[10]

Some notable events

France

The official launch ceremony of the IYC 2011 took place on 27–28 January in Paris at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was attended by 1,000+ delegates from 60 countries. Four Nobel Prize Winners attended. UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova delivered the opening address.[11]

Switzerland

In February 2011 Swiss Post issued a postage stamp bearing a depiction of a model of a molecule of vitamin C to mark the International Year of Chemistry. Swiss chemist Tadeus Reichstein synthesised the vitamin for the first time in 1933.[12]

United Kingdom

The Royal Society of Chemistry celebrated IYC 2011 by reviewing the most significant chemical advances since the millennium.[13]

Australia

An international conference was held as an official IYC event at the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island between 14 and 18 August entitled 'Towards Global Artificial Photosynthesis: Energy, Nanochemistry and Governance.'[14]

Canada

Canada had many demonstrations for the year of chemistry. 32 universities all around Canada participated.[15] Dalhousie University made a "chemistry rendezvous" for 7 May. It included a tour of the chemistry lab, food and demonstrations.[16]

See also
  • International observance
  • 2011 in science

References
  1. About IYC: Introduction. Archived 2011-10-08 at the Wayback Machine July 9, 2009. Retrieved on July 22, 2009.
  2. United Nations Observances. Retrieved on July 27, 2009.
  3. United Nations Resolution 63/209: International Year of Chemistry. February 3, 2009. Retrieved on July 22, 2009.
  4. “UNESCO Named Lead Agency for International Year of Chemistry in 2011.” Archived 2009-05-30 at the Wayback Machine UNESCO News Service press release. December 30, 2008. Retrieved on July 20, 2009.
  5. About IYC: Background. Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on July 22, 2009.
  6. “2011 Will Be International Year of Chemistry.” Chemical and Engineering News.
  7. “2011 To Be International Year of Chemistry.” Chemistry World. February 2009. Retrieved on July 21, 2009.
  8. “The United Nations Organization Has Proclaimed 2011 the International Year of Chemistry.” Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, vol. 20 no. 3, São Paulo 2009. Retrieved on July 23, 2009.
  9. www.chemistryviews.org Distinguished Women Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Award
  10. "Events What is happening and when". IYC 2011 Official website. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  11. "The Year Begins! Echoes from Paris". IYC 2011 Official website. Feb 11, 2011. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  12. Stephens, Thomas (Feb 17, 2011). "Let the chemical games begin!". Swiss Info. Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  13. ChemComm Highlights in Chemistry - celebrating IYC 2011 by reviewing the most significant chemical advances since the millennium
  14. Towards Global Artificial Photosynthesis: Energy, Nanochemistry and Governance "Artificial Photosythesis". Archived from the original on 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2011-03-10. (accessed 23 March 2011)
  15. "Home". iyc2011.ca.
  16. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2011-05-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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