Vol. 50 (2018): Bulletin of the Chemists and Technologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LIGHT
Advances in science in the 21st century represent a continuing challenge for advancement of civilization, improvement in the quality of life but also survival of mankind as a whole. The boundaries between distinct natural sciences in frontier research are becoming more and more blurry as the multidisciplinary approach encompasses the problem from different angles and specifics points while progressing to the same goal, whether it be medicine, industry, space exploration etc. The task of meeting these ever-increasing challenges and adapting to the new situations is left for the new generations of scientists and engineers that are only starting their life-long journey. In the effort to further promote science among youth UN have taken up numerous programs in popularization of STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
The International Day of Light (IDL) was declared by UNESCO and as of 2018 it is being annually marked on 16th of May in the honor of anniversary of first successful operation of a laser by Theodore H. Maiman in 1960. The IDL is an initiative on a global scale with the aim of raising mankind’s knowledge of light, its properties and application everyday life of each and every one on this planet and through it further promote UNESCO goals of peace and education. Light phenomena are unique in its appeal to youth through spectacular experiments and demonstrations that can be conducted with very simple setups in everyday environments.
The IDL was celebrated this year for the first time around the world and has been a great success with hundreds of events being organized throughout the month of May. 1Many high-profile institutions have taken part such as Parliaments of Sweden and Republic of Korea, in Ghana first Museum of Light was inaugurated and Auckland Harbor Bridge in New Zealand was lit in commemoration of the IDL. Institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have also taken part in these celebrations and Society of Chemists and Technologists of Canton Sarajevo has had the honor of being a national node for the events in our country.
