World Science Day for Peace and Development
World ObservancesWhat Is World Science Day for Peace and Development?
November 10 is World Science Day for Peace and Development. It is an international day proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001, and the first World Science Day was celebrated worldwide under UNESCO auspices on November 10, 2002.
How World Science Day Came About
World Science Day was one of the positive outcomes of the 1999 World Conference on Science in Budapest, Hungary.
- Reaffirming the conference's goals: It was considered an opportunity to reaffirm each year the commitment to the goals proclaimed in the Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge and to follow up the recommendations of the Science Agenda: Framework for Action.
- Connecting citizens and science: The day is rooted in the importance of the role of science and scientists for sustainable societies and in the need to inform and involve citizens in science.
- Science in daily life: It offers an opportunity to show the general public the relevance of science in their lives and to engage them in discussions.
Supporting Cooperation Among Scientists in Conflict Regions
According to the UN, since its proclamation World Science Day has generated many concrete projects, programmes, and funding for science around the world. It has also helped foster cooperation between scientists living in regions marred by conflict, one example being the UNESCO-supported creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO).
Tips for Marking This Day
- Choose one recent science news story and read it in detail
- Visit an exhibition or event at a science museum
- Think about the science and technology used in the products and services around you
- Look up this year's World Science Day theme on the UNESCO website
A Day to Think About Science and Society
Science is not only something that happens in laboratories; it is also connected to our daily lives, peace, and building sustainable societies. World Science Day on November 10 is a day to think about the role science plays in society and to take an interest in science.