IUPAC Member Countries 51 National Adhering Organizations (NAOs) 18 Associate National Adhering Organizations (ANAOs)

IUPAC Member Countries

51 National Adhering Organizations (NAOs)18 Associate National Adhering Organizations (ANAOs)

Major IUPAC Activities

• Development of the Language of Chemistry

– Nomenclature, Symbols, Terminology

• Standardization of Chemistry Methods

– Data Presentation

– Study of Analytic Methods

• Critical Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Data

– Atomic Weights

– Thermodynamic Data

– Kinetic Data

IYC 2011

All known matter – gas, liquid and solid – is composed of the chemical elements or of compounds made from those elements. Humankind’s understanding of the material nature of our world is grounded in our knowledge of chemistry. Indeed all living processes are controlled by chemical reactions.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and UNESCO strongly believe that it is time to celebrate the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind.

Background and Concept

• IUPAC Endorsement – August 2007 • UNESCO Support – April 2008• UN Declaration – December 2008

The concept of IYC 2011 started with the recognition by IUPAC that a number of scientific disciplines have achieved significant benefits from securing designation by the United Nations of an international year pertaining to their field. The idea of holding a year of chemistry was first discussed in 2006, during the April meeting of the IUPAC Executive Committee.

Objectives of the International Year of Chemistry• Increase the public appreciation and understanding

of chemistry in meeting world needs

• Encourage interest of young people in chemistry

• Generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry

• Celebrate the role of women in chemistry.(100th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Mme. Curie and of the founding of the International Association of Chemical Societies)

Conversation between Chemistry and Society about the future shape of chemistry for sustainability set in the context of chemistry’s achievements

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

CHEMISTRY is vital to achieving these goals!

United Nations Millennium Goals

Global Partners IUPAC and UNESCO – Organizing Partners

• United Nations• FACS, FASC, FLAQ, EuCheMS • National Chemical Societies• Industry• NGOs• Educational and Research Institutions• Individuals

Making an Impact

• highlight the nature, beauty and relevance –both economic and environmental– of chemistry to the modern world

• use the media effectively to enhance the profile of chemistry, as viewed by pupils, the general population and politicians

• work together to achieve these goals

IYC is a chance that will not come again for some time . . .

Cornerstone Events

Opening Ceremony under the aegis of the UN, UNESCO, and IUPACJan 27-28, 2011 – Paris, Francetheme - Chemistry and the UN Millennium Goals

IUPAC World Congress - "Chemistry Bridging Innovation among the Americas and the World" Jul 30 - Aug 7, 2011 – San Juan, Puerto Rico

Closing Event - under the patronage of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical IndustryDec 1, 2011 – Brussels, Belgium

 • Opportunities for speakers and chairs at highest

levels from all sectors

Other Key Events

Pacifichem 2010 – Pre-inaugural reception publicizing the International Year for Pacific Rim participantsDec 15-20, 2010 –  Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Chemistry – the key to Africa’s futureCongress of the Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC) Jan 16-21, 2011 – Johannesburg, South Africa

CHEMRAWN - Symposium on BiofuelsSep 2011 (date tba) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Activities – some examples

• African Conference - Science, education and capacity building challenges related to SAICM (UN’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management) implementation. Cornerstone event in Africa

• Project on the science of Climate Change to support teaching and informed policy discussion led by RSC & ACS

• Numerous national proposals from commemorative postage stamps, open days and specific celebrations, for example, for Madame Curie at the Sorbonne/ L’Oreal award for women in science. Canadian Stamp released in October 2011.

• Celebrating stories of chemistry

Activities – more examples

• Re-energising existing national/regional outreach activities

• Social networking (facebook, YouTube) on chemistry-related questions

• Video clips (existing and new) to promote the contributions of chemistry-- Canadian contest for middle and high schools with $2500 prizes.

• Providing real expertise through an “ask a scientist” program

• Educational resources – chemistry board game, Australian chemistry quiz, videos of famous chemists, science fair participants

• Global experiment for children

The Global Experiment

Water – A Chemical Solution

• Water is essential to life.• Provision of pure water is one of the greatest

ongoing contributions of chemistry to human well-being.

• The Global Experiment is a signature/flagship IYC-2011 activity initiated by IUPAC/UNESCO, involving children and teachers around the world.

• Increase the public appreciation and understanding of chemistry (the value of chemistry in understanding issues and resolving them)

• Encourage interest of young people in chemistry (active participation in a global activity)

• Generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry (showing role of chemistry in ensuring potable water supply)

• Celebrate chemistry and in particular the role of women in

chemistry (engaging everyone - 1 million in 100 countries)

Objectives

The Concept

• Three aspects• Scientific enquiry – chemistry as an aid to understanding• Chemistry as a problem solver and as a contributor to human well-being• Simple experimental design, safe for children

• Students will collect samples and gather data on water quality and water treatment.

• Results will be posted on a global web-based tool to allow students to compare their results with those of students all over the world.

• The Experiment is designed to complement & extend World Water Monitoring Day activities and those of other global water-related groups, and bring IUPAC and UNESCO into sustainable partnerships with them.

Activities

• Acidity Students will

measure acidity using indicators or meters to learn about experimental techniques and a key measure of water quality.

pH of World

Activities

• Salinity Using a homemade

meter, students will measure the conductivity of a local water sample to understand salt content and the effects of dissolved salt on water.

Salty Waters

Activities

• Filtration Using household materials, students and teachers will learn about how water can be purified and how their local water purification system works.

Water Treatment

Activities

• Purification Using a “solar still,” students will learn about distillation and states of matter, and they will be encouraged to design and create something new.

Solar Still

Web Based Tools• Located at www.chemistry2011.org/water• Essential to make this a global experiment• Translated into main UN languages• Schools registration• Key educational and support materials • Interactive data logging and global visualisation of results• International networking and schools partnerships• Forum to stimulate wider scientific enquiry into water

understanding and resolution of issues

Coordination

• Inception by end January 2011– Completion of experimental designs and support materials– Enrolment of national focal points– Pre-registration of schools– Completion of ICCA video– Initiate long lead items – critical path decisions for November 2010

• Web based tools• Promotional activities• Pre-order experimental kits (sufficient for 100,000 children)

• Formal Launch– At IYC Inaugural Event– Web based tool in main UN Languages– Supply requirements for experimental kits defined

• Implementation– Active management of activities, demand-led reorder of experimental kits– Experimentation February to May, September & October

• Closing November / December 2011– Data logging– Participation recognition, perhaps at the closing ceremony

Expected Timeline

• Experimental kits modeled on Radmeste Centre (South Africa) experience of UNESCO microlab kits – estimated at $15 or less per kit/ $150 per 100 students

• Primarily for use in developing world

• Don’t want to limit experiment to developed world

Options

• A sustainable step change in the current water monitoring activities

• Wider engagement by young people and schools throughout the world in visible hands-on chemistry activities that they share and analyze together

• Lasting increase in interest in water-related issues and their resolution with the help of tools of chemistry

• Lasting partnerships with international schools, global educational, governmental, non-governmental, and industrial organizations in science, education, and chemistry

Legacy

• Widespread engagement of young people

• Relevant to IYC 2011 objectives

• Capable of media interest - the biggest ever chemistry experiment

Conclusions

IYC 2011

Our understanding of the fundamental nature of our world is grounded in chemistry. Molecular transformations are basic to production of foodstuffs, medicines, fuels and materials – essentially all manufactured and extracted products. We will rely on this science to maintain a sustainable, wholesome environment for all the earth.

IYC 2011 is a unique opportunity for everyone to celebrate the central contributions of chemistry.