World Science Day for Peace and Development- November 10th, 2013

Background:

From the magnanimous universe with all the galaxies, the planets and mysteries within it

down to the minutest of the quarks and neutrinos, from the rising steam from the tea cups to

the splattering rain of monsoon; everything in our universe has its own mechanisms and its

own logics. To a scientist’s mind, these mechanisms and logics are like locked chambers that

have to be explored and understood. Every marvel of this universe holds within itself secrets

waiting to be revealed and questions waiting to be answered.

“The World Science Day for Peace and Development also aims at raising public

awareness of the importance of science and to bridge the gap between science and

societies.”

Irina Bokova, DG UNESCO

For this very purpose, World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated

worldwide on 10 November each year. It was established by UNESCO in 2001 and it offers

an opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public why science is relevant to their daily lives

and to engage them in debate on related issues. The purpose of this day is to renew national

and international commitment of ‘science for peace’ and raising public awareness of the

importance of science and to bridge the gap between science and societies.

Placing science as its top most priority, UNESCO aims at mobilizing the full capability of the

nations to employ science for purposes of peace. Science has become the eyes and ears of

humans in this universe. It is because of science that we know that universe expands,

diseases are curable, rockets reach space and that the world is a better place. Using this

immense power of science for purposes of peace forms the preamble of this day.

Since its inception, World Science Day has also generated concrete projects, programmes

and funding for science around the world. Several ministries have announced an increase in

spending on science, for instance, or the creation of a university or research body.

Celebrating this day all over the world has also brought scientists of the nations at conflict to

come and work together under the umbrella of science. Every year national and

international organizations, governments, media and educations systems are allowed to

celebrate the day a sper their own par.

Theme for WSDPD-2013 is ‘Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing Data, Knowledge and

Innovations’. On this important event, Irina Bokova said, “Water cooperation is not only a

technical or scientific issue. It is about supporting human rights. It is about preventing disease and

promoting gender equality, it is about fighting poverty. Fundamentally, it is about strengthening the

foundations for peace, through cooperation between States and across regions. These goals guide

UNESCO as it leads the International Year of Water Cooperation on behalf of UN Water.”

For peace and development, Science may prove to be a solution to formulate efficient ways

of protecting such globally common resources as the atmosphere, oceans, freshwater,

biodiversity and natural cycles. Science and technology have contributed immensely to the

overall experience of humankind so far. We can only hope mankind will be competent to

use the contributions of science in a way that will bring about welfare, progress, and peace

for all.

Keeping this theme in the mind, National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) and The

Emerging Nations Science Foundation (ENSF) joined their hands with United Nations

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and trying to raise public

awareness about the significance of science and to overcome the gap between science and

societies to share the data, knowledge and innovation.

Practical Activity- “Celebration of World Science Day for Peace & Development at

Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology, Karachi-Pakistan on

November 11th, 2013”

National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), Pakistan has organized a seminar for the

celebration of World Science Day for Peace & Development on 11th November, 2013 in

collaboration with Department of Chemistry, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science &

Technology, Karachi (FUUAST), Pakistan and The Emerging Nations Science Foundation

(ENSF), Italy at Abdul Qadeer Khan Auditorium, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science

& Technology, Karachi. The aims of the celebration were raising public awareness of the

importance of science and to bridge the gaps between science and societies.

The event was dedicated to late Prof. Azmat Ali Khan for his great contribution in science

journalism from the platform of Bazm-e-Sciency Adab, a literary movement for the

promotion of Science & Technology.

The program started by the recitation of Holy Quran and national anthem.

Dr. Iffat Mahmood, chairperson department of chemistry welcomes the guest and audience

by a warm up speech. She put her focus on the importance of celebration of world science

day and told about the history of its celebration at 10th November each year. She also thanks

the collaborators NAYS, Pakistan and ENSF, Italy for organizing the event. Afterwards,

video message from Director General UNESCO, Irina Bokova, on the occasion was showed.

A very informative address was given by Dr. Iftikhar Imam Naqvi, HOD department of

chemical sciences, Jinnah University for Women about the uses of science for peace and

development.

The president of Bazm-e-Sciency Adab and a renowned biologist, Dr. Waqar Ahmad Zubari

also delivered a note of gratitude to late Prof. Azmat Ali Khan. He also presented scientific

poetry and haikus revolving around science.

Prof. Naeem Ali Khan, a poet and professor of zoology, narrated scientific facts in the form

of a Nazm. He told the audience that scientific achievements in labs should be presented to

the masses and science journalism is the only way to convey the frontiers of research to a

layman.

Later, Muhtrama Amna Alam, a poet and member arts council, Karachi narrated a beautiful

nazm, a genre of poetry, about the Prof. Azmat Ali Khan and their contribution for

promotion of science via poetry.

Dr. Zahida Tasneem Maqsood, former chairperson department of chemistry, University of

Karachi delivered a nazm about importance of ‘Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing

Data, Knowledge and Innovations’. Prof. Dr. Syed Arif Kazmi of H.E.J. Research Institute of

Chemistry, University of Karachi was the chief guest at the event and he appreciated all the

scientific literary pieces presented in the sitting. Dr. Arif Zubair, Dean Faculty of Science

also appreciated the young scientist for managing the event. Hakeem Muhammad Zakaria

Chishti gave lecture on pan, gutka and tobacco adverse effects on human health and society.

Dr. Muhammad Rizwan, Assistant Professor, Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of

Karachi gave a informative talk about environment and its relation with human behavior.

Dr. Sana Mustafa, organizing secretary, of the event gave an introduction about NAYS and

its projects. She also gave vote of thanks to speakers, guests, and chairperson department of

chemistry dean faculty of science, NAYS, ENSF and audience.

At the end of the seminar, chief guest, Dean Faculty of science, Federal Urdu University,

chairperson department of chemistry, Federal Urdu University and principal organizer

presented shields to the guest and speakers. Certificates were distributed to all participants

and refreshments were served among the participants and guest at the end.

National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) Pakistan is a registered organization with

Government of Pakistan. Registration No. RP/ 459,

Registered under Societies Registration Act XXI, 1860.

Visit us at www.nays.com.pk

http://www.nays.com.pk/