United Nations(UN)’s World Science Day for Peace and Development is annually celebrated across the globe on 10th November to highlight the role of Science in society and the need to engage the public on the discussion on the emerging scientific issues.
The first World Science Day for Peace and Development was observed on 10 November 2002 under United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) auspices.
The theme of the World Science Day for Peace and Development 2020 is “Science for and with Society” with the focus on the “Science for and with Society in dealing with the global pandemic”.
Objective of the Day:
- To strengthen the public awareness on the roles of science for peaceful and sustainable societies.
- To promote the national and international solidarity for shared science between countries.
- To Renew the commitment towards the use of science for the benefits of society.
- To focus on the challenges faced by science in supporting the scientific endeavours.
Background:
i.The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) proclaimed November 10th as the World Science Day for Peace and Development in 2001.
ii.The day is the outcome of the 1999 World conference on Science held in Budapest.
iii.Every year the day reaffirms the commitment to achieve the goals of the Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge and also to follow up the recommendations of the Science Agenda: Framework for Action.
Events:
i.As a part of the World Science Day 2020, on 6th November 2020, UNESCO organised a virtual roundtable on the theme of “Science for and with Society in dealing with COVID-19”.
ii.Various Governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and scientific and research institutions organise various events to celebrate this day.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) :
Director General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
