The Daylight Academy celebrates UNESCO’s International Day of Light

The annual International Day of Light on 16 May is an opportunity to take account of the importance that light plays across so many aspects of our lives, those of other organisms on planet Earth and, indeed, the wider universe as well. As the official webpage of UNESCO’s International Day of Light states: “The study of light has led to promising alternative energy sources, lifesaving medical advances in diagnostics technology and treatments, light-speed internet and many other discoveries that have revolutionized society and shaped our understanding of the universe.”

An international organisation dedicated to bringing together scientists from all backgrounds, as well as architects, engineers and other professionals involved in daylight research or with a strong interest in daylight related topics, the Daylight Academy is proud to see light receive its deserved spotlight on the list of the international days of the United Nations.

This year, the Daylight Academy’s upcoming annual conference is focused on exploring ways through which daylight can help in realising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, an ambitious set of 17 targets that aim to improve the world we all inhabit. No fewer than 11 have been preliminarily identified as goals where daylight can contribute, whether it be through photovoltaic energy conversion, its role in limiting the occurrence of myopia in children, increasing agricultural production, improving mental and physical health or many more.

In the spirit of the UN’s statement that this day “is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development” our diverse and interdisciplinary pool of members is ready to find ways through which to utilise the free resource of daylight for the betterment of the world we live in.

We wish you all a happy and enlightening International Day of Light!