World Science Day for Peace & Development at Gujarat Science City

World Science Day for Peace & Development at Gujarat Science City

10th November 2011

Every year 10^th November is being celebrated as the World Science Day for Peace and Development. It is a worldwide programme of UNESCO that acknowledges the important role of science and scientists play in creating sustainable societies and which ensures that citizens are kept informed of developments in science and empowered to participate in science.

The theme of this year’s World Science Day for Peace and Development focuses on the role of science, 'Towards green societies: equity, inclusiveness, participation'. The objective is to engage people, including the scientific community, on the role of science towards Green Societies.

Green Societies means equity in science within all sectors of society, equity between men and women; equity between countries participating in and contributing to the global stock of knowledge. It also involves sustaining positive social transformations and sustainability policies. In this context, inclusiveness means creative inclusive policy integrating the vision of people in science, including traditional knowledge systems in scientific processes while participation refers to creating opportunities for people to be involved in science and to participate in decision making in science.

The World Science Day, being celebrated world-wide by the UNESCO since 2001, aims to provide an opportunity to bring the special attention towards contribution of science to achieving sustainable development and enhancing the prospects for peace. From agricultural production to medicine, from sustainable energy to water management, scientific and technological advances play a key role in social and economic development through a diverse range of applications.

Gujarat Science City is celebrating the World Science Day on 10^th November 2011 by organizing various activities and competitions for the students, teachers and the general public to inspire wonder and stimulate creative exploration through fun interactive science and arts. The celebration will be continued till 14th November 2011.

State Level Science Drama competition on Science & Society:

Gujarat Science City in collaboration with Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST) is organizing two days Science Drama competition which is quiet effective in creating Science and Technology awareness and scientific temper among the masses. The science drama by school students helps to foster creativity and integrate the study of science with reading, writing, music, art and the performing arts. The programme aims to communicate science by tapping the creative young minds to convey the wonders of this subject through the medium of theatre. 

Sixteen teams from across the state are being selected to present theme-based dramas on SCIENCE AND SOCIETY issues pertinent to everyday life such as the importance of science and technology, water and energy resources, trees, biodiversity, health and hygiene, life and work of scientist to name a few. About 180 students from class VII to X along with their teachers and coordinators are going to enact in the drama in front of panel of experts for a maximum duration of 30 minutes. The programme is open to all other students and visitors to Science City.

The teams at the state level science drama competition will receive cash award and medals as first, second and third prize respectively. Also prizes and certificates will be given to best director, best script, best actor and best actress. Besides, all participants will receive participation certificate. The winner team will represent Gujarat at the National Science Drama Festival on 13th December 2011 at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, being organized by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM).

Hands on Science workshop for Municipality School Science Teachers:

A special workshop on hands-on science has been designed for the 300 primary school science teachers of 43 Cluster Resource Center (CRC) of Ahmedabad Municipality. 

The World Science Day celebration will be inaugurated by Dr. Srikant K Mohapatra, Regional Director of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and will be presided over by Shri B. S. Bhatia, Former Director, DECU-ISRO. A group of faculties from Physical Research Laboratory, Space Applications Centre will be invited to interact with students and public on the interface of science, technology and society.

The celebration will continue to 14th November 2011 through illustrative exhibition, screening of scientific films, popular science talk and student activities etc.

Science for all:

School and college students are invited to participate in the poster painting, essay writing and debate competitions on the above themes. There will be no registration fee for participation. The meritorious students will receive prize and certificates at the concluding session.

In addition, the visitors may explore the marvel of science, experience the large format science movies on IMAX 3D screen, learn all about basic science, space science, energy and electricity, and be a part of the International Year of Chemistry outreach programmes. 

Today we know that while economic development is a priority, it must be done in ways that do not overly stress our globe’s resources. It may take a dramatic change in our collective thinking, but we must realize that sustainable human development depends upon the resources and environmental functions provided by nature. It is my conviction that science and technology are essential for us to learn new ways to develop sustainable.

The celebration of World Science Day serves to remind us what science is for, namely peace and development. This annual occasion is a regular opportunity to reflect on how science can best serve this purpose. We must all participate in forging a future of peace and sustainable development in which science plays its vital role. Let us invest in a new future based on shared advances and benefits of science.

Science and Technology have a great contribution for the societal development. Advances in science and technology have always been closely linked to economic and social progress and prosperity. In turn, economic and social development leads to stability and peace. In this sense it can be said that S&T advances help to lay the groundwork both for development and for peace.

We take this opportunity to invite one and all to attend the programme and encourage the students and teachers in linking science classes to the everyday world.

GUJARAT SCIENCE CITY

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