Institute of Chemistry Ceylon to Celebrate International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD 2022)
View(s):International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD 2022) was proclaimed by the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 2nd December 2021, stressing that the applications of basic sciences are vital for advances in medicine, industry, agriculture, water resources, energy planning, environment, communications and culture.The Year, while highlighting the crucial role of basic sciences for sustainable development, emphasises contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Opening Ceremony of the IYBSSD 2022 was held on 8th July 2022 in Paris, France.
UNESCO acts as the lead agency and focal point for the Year. The programme for the Year has been developed in collaboration with other relevant entities of the United Nations system, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), and their associated organisations and federations across the world. Partners from the private sector have been invited to join. Active participation in the IYBSSD 2022 programme will allow them sharing their experience and good practices with the international scientific communities and policymakers.
The purpose of celebration is to highlight and disseminate worldwide, the vital role of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology for the application of new research results that promote the development of each sector of economic and social life of a nation. It is interesting to note that, the year 2022 also marks a number of benchmarks in the history of basic sciences: 200 years since the presentation of the “Difference engine” (automatic mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial functions), 150 years since the beginning of the first oceanographical expedition, 90 years since the discovery of neutrons, 60 years since the presentation of the first visible light emitting diode, 50 years of the first extraction of the anti-plasmodial drug Artemisinin, and 40 years since the discovery of the first lunar meteorite on Earth. 2022 will also mark the centenary of two important international scientific unions, IUPAP and the International Mathematical Union (IMU).
In 2011, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon as the National Adhering Organisation for International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011) successfully conducted a series of activities to celebrate the Year with the support of UNESCO and the private sector, public sector and media organisations. The Grand Exhibition and Trade Fair held at BMICH to celebrate IYC 2011 is still in the memories of the students, academics, chemists, industrial sector and the general public. The President of the Institute Mr NMS Hettigedera, who was also the Chairman of the IYC 2011 Organising Committee stated that, the activities organized under IYBSSD 2022 will be implemented through the newly established National Secretariat of the Institute with the cooperation of relevant national and international organizations, academic institutions, private sector industrialists, Government Institutes and media organisations. He also mentioned that being a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and as a professional body, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon has a great responsibility to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and to launch the programmes to achieve them. The IYBSSD 2022 also carries the same objective of achieving SDGs through basic sciences including Chemistry. A series of seminars/workshops and training programs to discuss the ‘Role of Chemists in Sustainable Development’ which is the theme of the Institute for 2022/2023 will be arranged.
In celebrating the IYBSSD 2022, the Institute will join over 110 national science academics, scientific networks and associations across the world who have set up thousands of events during the international year which will inspire greater engagement with science, encourage young people towards careers in the field, and highlight the value of fundamental research for society. The programs organised by the Institute will include a Grand Virtual Trade Fair and Exhibition (‘VCHEMEX 2022’), seminars, workshops, publication of a special issue of ‘Chemistry in Sri Lanka’ (the triannual publication of the Institute) dedicated to IYBSSD 2022, publicity programmes through press and electronic media, public awareness programmes, webinars and chemistry days in schools with the participation of chemists, academics, industrialists and representatives of public and private sector organisations.
Mr. A. M. Jayasekara
Former Additional Registrar
Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
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