IN the Spotlight: The International year of Light
In December of 2013, the 68th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2015 to the International Year of Light and Light Based Technologies (IYL). This was the outcome of several years of effort and dedicated work by a number of optics related professional societies. The UN resolution stated "applications of light science and technology are vital for existing and future advances in medicine, energy, information and communications, astronomy, architecture, entertainment and culture". IYL was inaugurated on January 19-20, 2015 at a grand opening ceremony at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO (United Nations Educations, Science and Cultural Organization) with Nobelists, prominent scientists, policy makers, politicians, etc. and webcast live on UN-TV.