2021 Science, Peace Week: UN pushes for Climate-ready communities

As the 2021 International Week for Science and Peace begins, the UN has directed attention to the importance of science to society and daily living.

The science week, starting on Nov. 11 falls,  highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues.

“It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives,” the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said on its website.

Giving more insights into the essence of the commemoration, UNESCO said: “ more closely with society, World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science.

“It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable”.

According to UNESCO, the 2021 commemoration billed for Nov. 9 to Nov. 15, with high points on Nov. 10 – the World Science Day for Peace and Development, calls attention to building climate ready communities.

This is coming even as the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) is still ongoing in Glasgow, with world leaders gathered to chart the best way forward at addressing climate change.

To buttress its 2021 focus on climate change, the UN body said: “With climate change becoming a serious threat to the lives of billions of people and the planet, in 2021, the celebration will highlight the importance of “building climate-ready communities.

“To celebrate the 2021 World Science Day for Peace and Development, UNESCO organised a   webinar including panel discussions on “solutions for building climate-ready communities” and “global health in a changing environment”.

The first in the series of events which held on Nov. 5, also doubled as a ceremony for presentation of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for Science Popularization to winners.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the International Week of Science and Peace was first observed during 1986 as part of the observance of the International Year of Peace.

Based on the success of the 1986 observance, the organisers continued their efforts in successive years.

In recognition of the value of the annual observance, the General Assembly adopted resolution 43/61 in December 1988, which proclaims the “International Week of Science and Peace”, to take place each year during the week in which Nov. 11 falls.

Source: NAN