International Year of Chemistry- closing ceremony
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: More than 800 people from 70 countries descended on Brussels to attend the International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC) official closing ceremony, where thirteen young professionals working in the chemical and science arena presented their vision for the world in 2050.
Their report titled “The world in 2050: Our expectations from the life sciences, chemistry, industry and governments to build a better world by 2050”. The “Young Leaders group” gave their view of how chemistry, life sciences, industry and policymakers can in future tackle major challenges such as climate change, resource constraints or drug resistant diseases at a time of population growth to create more sustainable societies.
Joining the young professionals at the conference was Giorgio Squinzi, President, Cefic. Squinzi said: "The young people presenting today show how chemistry can play a central role of chemistry as a science that can make the next great breakthroughs.
"Europe’s future engineers and scientists will need a more broad-based education in order to speed up future innovations in the chemical industry."
Ada Yonath, 2009 Nobel laureate for chemistry and Jean-Luc Bredas, 1997 Francqui prize winner also had prominent roles during the event, responding to the Young Leaders presentations both in the morning and afternoon session. Representatives from UNESCO, the OECD, and the Polish Minister Deputy Minister of Economy Hanna Trojanowska also took part in the event along with chief executives representing global chemicals and pharmaceuticals companies.
The IYC and its closing ceremony aim to show the essential role of chemistry in meeting world needs. All through 2011 and all over the world, the IYC has been a platform that helped increase interest of young people in chemistry in order to attract first rate minds to careers in chemistry and all the challenges this offers.
© WOC News