The year-long event has four main aims: to increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs; to encourage the interest of young people in chemistry; to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry; and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mme. Curie Nobel Prize and the centenary of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies.
Chemical company Johnson Matthey sponsored the launch, which was hosted by the Chemical Industries Association trade organisation.
Steve Elliott, chief executive of the Chemical Industries Association, said: ‘The aim of the International Year of Chemistry is to encourage the interest of young people in the discipline of chemistry, which contributes over £30m a day to the UK’s balance of trade and accounts for 1.5% of UK GDP.
‘I hope the series of events we have planned for the IYC helps achieve recognition for the contribution science makes to meeting world needs for food, clean water, good health and shelter.’
As part of the Year of Chemistry, chemical company INEOS has sponsored a competition for UK school pupils, in which they will be asked to come up with the most original ideas about how science will change their lives in 2050.
Joydip Sanyal, Leader of the Chemical Industry Future Forum, said: ‘This competition is a great opportunity for school pupils to think about why science is important to their lives, now and in the future and hopefully inspire people to take up science and engineering.’
The closing date for all entries is 30 May 2011.
