The United Nations (UN)’s World Science Day for Peace and Development is annually observed across the globe on November 10 to highlight the important role of science in society and the need to engage the general people in discussions about rising scientific concerns.
- 10th November 2023 marks the observance of the 22nd edition of World Science Day for Peace and Development.
Theme:
The theme of World Science Day for Peace and Development 2023 is ‘Building Trust In Science’
- The theme emphasizes that the trust in science is vital for developing evidence-based solutions to global challenges.
Background:
i.In 2001, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed the 10th November of every year as the World Science Day for Peace and Development.
ii.The first-ever World Science Day for Peace and Development was observed on 10th November 2002.
Events 2023
High level roundtable:
As a part of the 2023 World Science Day for Peace and Development, a High-level roundtable under the theme “Building Trust in Science at the Nexus of Science, Policy and Society” will be held on 13th November 2023 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
The high-level roundtable aims to explore the parameters contributing to building and preserving trust in science.
2023 UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science:
Ana María Cetto, a Mexican physicist, has been awarded the 2023 UNESCO–Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science for her dedication to making scientific knowledge more accessible to the public.
- She will receive the prize on 13 November 2023 at UNESCO headquarters.
UNESCO Kalinga Prize:
i.The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science created in 1951 is the oldest prize of UNESCO.
ii.The prize was created following the donation from Mr Bijoyanand Patnaik, Founder and President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in India.
iii.At present, the prize is funded by the Kalinga Foundation Trust, the Government of the State of Orissa, and the Department of Science and Technology, the Government of India.
UNESCO Science Report:
i.In 1993, the UNESCO Science Report was launched under the name of World Science Report. It has issued 7 reports in the series since then.
- The science report is published every 5 years by UNESCO.
ii.The report analyses the emerging trends in science, technology and innovation policy, and governance.
Note: The 7th edition of the report ‘UNESCO Science Report: the race against time for smarter development’ was published in June 2021.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General- Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters- Paris, France
Establishment- 1945 (came into force in 1946)
Members – 193 Members and 11 Associate Members
