Today is the International Day of Light, established by the Executive Board of UNESCO on 16 May of every year following a highly successful International Year of Light, which highlighted the central role that light science and technologies play in the lives of citizens from all over the world. At its second edition, it is a global initiative that provides a platform for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy.

The broad theme of light will allow many different sectors of society worldwide to participate in activities that demonstrate how science, technology, art and culture can help achieve the goals of UNESCO – education, equality and peace.

An International Day of Light will contribute to build new bridges between scientific disciplines, education and the art, responding to the critical need for interdisciplinary science, and improved dialogue between citizens, scientists, decision makers, industry leaders and non-governmental organisations. It will provide also an enduring follow-up of the achievements of the International Year of Light by raising the profile of science and technology globally and highlighting its applications for stimulating education, improving quality of life worldwide, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

An International Day of Light will encourage worldwide community-driven actions in science outreach and education. An International Day of Light will offer UNESCO an opportunity to fulfil its mission of promoting international cooperation in the basic sciences and STEM Education and will contribute to achieving the objective to render science, technology and innovation accessible to all with a focus on Africa.

Thesignspeaking celebrates the International Day of Light with some proposals in the design field:Pollice Illuminazione

Kazuhiro Yamanaka for Pallucco

Caine Heintzman for ANDlight

Panzeri, Brooklyn Round