Planning begins for the first International Day of Light in 2018

Paris, France — Following the highly successful International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015, the Executive Board of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has endorsed an annual International Day of Light. The purpose of an International Day of Light will be to provide an annual focal point for the appreciation of the role that light plays in the lives of the citizens of the world in areas of science, culture, education, sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. The broad theme of light will allow many different sectors of society to participate in activities around the world to raise awareness of science and technology, art and culture, and their importance in achieving the goals of UNESCO — education, equality and peace.