International Year of Light News
IYL 2015 presented at Photonics Europe in Brussels
The aims and plans for IYL 2015 were presented to European researchers in photonics by EPS President John Dudley in Brussels on 14 April 2014. During the opening session of the SPIE Photonics Europe conference, John Dudley explained the background to the four year IYL 2015 journey, from inception in 2009 to the resolution passed at the United Nation in December 2013. He outlined the particular goals of 2015 to raise awareness of the potential of photonics in providing solutions to problems of European and worldwide importance, and encouraged all members of the European photonics community to leverage their knowledge and networks to ensure that 2015 is a fantastic success.
International Year of Light announces Philips Lighting as first Patron Sponsor
The IYL 2015 Consortium is delighted to announce a partnership for this International Year with Royal Philips – global leader in lighting solutions – as first Patron Sponsor.
Harry Verhaar, Head of Global Public and Government Affairs at Philips Lighting, comments: “The transformative power of light is immense as we have seen over the last 120 years of Philips’ history – from the launch of the first commercial incandescent bulb to connected LED lighting solutions. Lighting has now entered a digital era, where sustainable LED technologies are connected to networks, devices and apps and placed to address the world’s challenges like never before. 2015 and the International Year of Light present the opportunity to realize the potential of recent innovations in light to benefit people both socially and economically, while addressing global challenges like climate change at the same time.”
As a Patron of the International Year of Light, Philips will work with the IYL2015 Consortium closely to design and implement actions to highlight the crucial role that light and light-based technologies play in improving the quality of people’s lives worldwide.
Philips will play a leading role in several specific areas throughout 2015. During the Opening Ceremony at UNESCO HQ in January 2015 and other events along the year, Philips will participate in high-level round tables discussing the need for innovative lighting solutions to address issues of energy efficiency and climate protection.
Philips will also support a key programme of the International Year of Light focussing on the fact that, for over 1.5 billion people around the world, night-time means either darkness or the dim glow of an unhealthy kerosene lamp or candle. With specific emphasis on the impact this has on educational opportunities, Philips will participate in the IYL2015 “Study after Sunset” programme to promote the use of portable solar-powered high-brightness LED lanterns in regions where there is little or no reliable source of light.
Maciej Nalecz, Director, Executive Secretary of the International Basic Sciences Programme at UNESCO HQ in Paris adds “UNESCO is very keen to engage with private sector partners in its activities in areas of sustainability and development, and Philips Lighting is a natural partner of the International Year of Light. We look forward to working with them during 2014 and 2015″.
