The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has launched a new 2015 initiative to celebrate promote life and works of pioneering Muslim scientist Ibn Al-Haytham.

"Just as Issac Newton revealed the spectrum of colors that makes up white light, we must reveal to the world the importance of light in building a more sustainable and peaceful future. For this reason, 2015 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL),” said UNESCO in a press release cited by Emirates New Agency (WAM) on Sunday, December 28.

“Taken forward under UNESCO’s leadership, IYL is a unique opportunity to raise global awareness of how light-based technologies can provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health. These technologies have the potential to transform the 21st century as electronics did in the 20th century."

Under the title, the International Year of Light (IYL 2015), the global initiative will be officially launched on the 19-20 January 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

The huge launch will see over a thousand participants as speakers and attendees will include international diplomats and decision-makers, Nobel laureates, CEOs, and science and industry leaders from across the globe.

Moreover, a series of keynote lectures, symposia and round-tables will cover areas of basic science, innovative lighting solutions for society, light pollution, emerging trends in photonics, the Einstein Centenary, the role of light-based technologies in addressing global challenges, light in art and culture, the history of science, and science policy.

The IYL 2015 ceremony will also see the launch of 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham with a series of interactive exhibits, workshops and live shows illustrating the world of this pioneering scientist from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation, Ibn al-Haytham - often referred to as the ‘father of modern optics’.

"I am pleased to partner with 1001 Inventions to launch the World of Ibn Al-Haytham Global Campaign, to promote light-science for the benefit of all," said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

"A ground-breaking scientist and a humanist from a thousand years ago, the life and work of Ibn Al-Haytham have never been as relevant as they are today."

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/global/481243-unesco-celebrates-life-of-ibn-al-haytham.html

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