The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) was a year-long commemorative event for the achievements of

chemistry Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...

and its contributions to humankind.About IYC: Introduction.
July 9, 2009. Retrieved on July 22, 2009. The recognition for chemistry was made official by the United Nations in December 2008. Events for the year were coordinated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), and by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.United Nations Resolution 63/209: International Year of Chemistry.
February 3, 2009. Retrieved on July 22, 2009.

Background

The UN resolution calling for the International Year of Chemistry in 2011 was submitted by Ethiopia and co-sponsored by 23 nations. A case was made that chemistry makes a vital contribution towards achieving the goals of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005–2014.

Theme

The theme of IYC2011 was "Chemistry–our life, our future". It focused on the "achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind." It aimed to raise awareness of chemistry among the general public and to attract young people into the field, as well as to highlight the role of chemistry in solving global problems.
UNESCO News Service press release. December 30, 2008. Retrieved on July 20, 2009.

Events

IYC 2011 events were organized by national chemical societies, such as the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Brazilian Chemical Society, the

Society of Chemical Industry The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) is a learned society set up in 1881 "to further the application of chemistry and related sciences for the public benefit". Offices The society's headquarters is in Belgrave Square, London. There are semi-in ...

and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and by regional chemical federations, such as the

European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) is a European non-profit organisation which promotes collaboration between non-profit scientific and technical societies in the field of chemistry.Dr. John V. Holder, ''The European Association for Chemic ...

and the Federation of African Societies of Chemistry.About IYC: Background.
Retrieved on July 22, 2009. IUPAC selected 25 women for the Distinguished Women Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Award.
Distinguished Women Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Award These included Ada Yonath of Israel, Chulabhorn Walailak of Thailand,

Lesley Yellowlees Lesley Jane Yellowlees, (born 1953) is a British inorganic chemist conducting research in Spectroelectrochemistry, Electron transfer, Electron transfer reactions and Electron paramagnetic resonance, Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) Spectro ...

of the UK and Joanna S. Fowler of the US. The IYC holds a full list of events on its website. Events scheduled were billed as: conferences, congresses, symposia, fairs, exhibitions, expositions, grand openings, lectures, meetings, open discussions, workshops, celebrations, shows, art exhibitions, and quizzes, The IYC Closing Event was held in Brussels, Belgium on 1 December 2011.

Some notable events

* See the IYC website for
full list

France

The official launch ceremony of the IYC 2011 took place on 27–28 January in Paris at the headquarters of the

United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

(UNESCO). It was attended by 1,000+ delegates from 60 countries. Four Nobel Prize Winners attended. UNESCO Director General

Irina Bokova Irina Georgieva Bokova ( bg, Ирина Георгиева Бокова; born 12 July 1952) is a Bulgarian politician and the former Director-General of UNESCO (2009–2017). During her political and diplomatic career in Bulgaria, she served, a ...

delivered the opening address.

Switzerland

In February 2011 Swiss Post issued a postage stamp bearing a depiction of a model of a molecule of vitamin C to mark the International Year of Chemistry. Swiss chemist Tadeus Reichstein synthesised the vitamin for the first time in 1933.

United Kingdom

The Royal Society of Chemistry celebrated IYC 2011 by reviewing the most significant chemical advances since the millennium.

Australia

An international conference was held as an official IYC event at the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island between 14 and 18 August entitled 'Towards Global Artificial Photosynthesis: Energy, Nanochemistry and Governance.'Towards Global Artificial Photosynthesis: Energy, Nanochemistry and Governance (accessed 23 March 2011)

Canada

Canada had many demonstrations for the year of chemistry. 32 universities all around Canada participated.

Dalhousie University Dalhousie University (commonly known as Dal) is a large public research university in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the fou ...

made a "chemistry rendezvous" for 7 May. It included a tour of the chemistry lab, food and demonstrations.

References

External links

IYC 2011 Home page

International Year of Chemistry Global Experiment
{{DEFAULTSORT:International Year Of Chemistry 2011 in science 2011 in international relations Chemistry events Chemistry, International Year of Observances about science