The International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC 2011) is a worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind.
Under the unifying theme “Chemistry – our life, our future,” IYC 2011 will offer a range of interactive, entertaining, and educational activities for all ages. The Year of Chemistry is intended to reach across the globe, with opportunities for public participation at the local, regional, and international level.
Kemira joins the IYC program with both global actions and local events in several countries. Through participation Kemira wants to draw attention to the chemicals industry being a responsible member of society. IYC’s special theme is water, which means life and the future – also for Kemira. Kemira is proud of its expert professionals and wishes to promote chemistry as a competitive career choice for young talented people.
The grand opening in Paris at the end of January
IYC’s opening ceremony will be held in Paris on the Jan 27-28, 2011. The two-day ceremony will feature eminent scientists and personalities from around the world. Global trends and perspectives will be debated, staging Chemistry as one of the fundamental sciences.
The goals of IYC 2011 are to increase the public’s appreciation of chemistry in meeting the world’s needs, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people, and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry. The year 2011 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madame Marie Curie – an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to science.
IYC 2011 events will emphasize the point that chemistry is a creative science essential for sustainability and improvements to our way of life. Activities such as lectures, exhibits, and hands-on experiments will enable people to explore how chemicals research is critical in solving our global problems involving food, water, health, energy, transportation, and more.
International Year of Chemistry 2011 is named by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and IUPAC (The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). Read more about the program: www.chemistry2011.org