World Science Day for Peace and Development: November 10

World Science Day for Peace and Development was established by UNESCO in 2001 and is celebrated worldwide on November 10 each year. It is also known as World Science Day. It has been established to create and raise awareness of the benefits of science worldwide. This day offers an opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of science in our daily life.

It aims to bridge the gaps between science and society, and also to ensure that all citizens are kept informed of the developments in science, and the role of scientists to make the planet Earth and our societies more sustainable.

Since the inception of the World Science Day, there has been developments and initiation of projects, programmes and funding for science around the world.

The theme of World Science Day for Peace and Development 2014 is "Quality Science Education: ensuring a sustainable future for all"

The celebration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development include the following:

• The day opens to highlight the importance of science in peace and development.
• Discussions are held in classrooms to emphasise on the impact of science and technology on daily life.
• Distribution of the World Science Day for Peace and Development posters to educational institutions, school campuses and other public venues.
• Visit to science museums are also arranged to commemorate the day.
• Some governments have used this day to increase support for scientific initiatives and to launch new science policy programmes with scientific institutions, civil society, universities and schools.

Note: The World Science Day is a global observance and is not a public holiday.

How was the World Science Day instigated?
The observance of this day was recommended at the World Conference on Science in Budapest in 1999, as a recognition that was required for the need of a new compact between science and society.

It was discussed at the conference that a World Science Day would help strengthen commitments to attain the Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge's goals and to pursue the Science Agenda: Framework for Action's recommendations.

Following the World Conference on Science, UNESCO established the WSDPD through a proclamation at a general conference in 2001. The WSDPD was to be served a reminder of the organisation's mandate and commitment to science. The day was first celebrated on November 10, 2002 and has been held annually on November 10 since then.