Princess Sumaya launches World Science Day for Peace and Development in Paris

AMMAN — HRH Princess Sumaya has launched the 2018 World Science Day for Peace and Development at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, a statement from the Princess' office said. 

Held this year under the theme of “Science, a Human Right”, the annual event highlights included a day of discussions led by Princess Sumaya in her capacity as UNESCO special envoy for science for peace, following an invitation by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay.

In her opening remarks, Her Highness reiterated the importance of fulfilling and enabling the human right to science, as outlined in the Universal Declaration for Human Rights of 1948. 

In the declaration’s 70th anniversary year, she said it was time to “refocus our efforts on enabling science within all societies” and on “ensuring that all people around the world may share the benefits of scientific engagement and knowledge”.

The Princess voiced her deep appreciation to UNESCO as a unique organisation that seeks to enrich scientific and cultural outputs and accessibility for the entire human family. 

Last year, World Science Day for Peace and Development was celebrated in Jordan as part of the World Science Forum (WSF), a UNESCO partnered biennial gathering of scientists and policymakers. 

The WSF 2017 theme of “Science for Peace” resonated well with the one chosen for this year, demonstrating a narrative of global engagement and development spearheaded by UNESCO, she noted, expressing her pride, as President of the Royal Scientific Society, to have witnessed the commitment and enthusiasm of so many young Jordanians and Arabs to the goal of science for all last year.

World Science Day for Peace and Development was established by UNESCO in 2001 and is marked annually on November 10. It aims to highlight the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on relevant contemporary and emerging issues relevant to science, according to the statement.