The International Day of Scientific Culture
September 28 is marked as the anniversary of the beginning of the broadcast of one of the most iconic nonfiction science-based series, “Cosmos” led by legendary Carl Sagan, “Cosmos” was one of the most influential scientific outreach programs in history. This date is chosen to celebrate the International Day of Scientific Culture (IDSC) each year.
Importance
The International Day of Scientific Culture (IDSC) aims to highlight the importance of scientific culture in today’s world and celebrate activities and institutions that provide spaces for people to make science a relevant part of their lives.
With major global-scale challenges such as Climate Change, Energy Demand and the Sustainability of Societies, it is of paramount importance to engage and empower people through science, as the means to informed decision-making to address such issues. Our efforts are critical to the future of humanity and the well-being and the health of our planet.
Goal
The goal of IDSC is to disseminate the concept of scientific culture, highlighting its importance in today’s world; promoting the integration of science as part of citizen culture; and underscoring the need for citizens in general to be scientifically educated. The anniversary of the start of the broadcasts of the series ‘Cosmos’, is chosen to celebrate each year as International Day of Scientific Culture.
Foundation
The IDSC was recognized for the first time in 2020 in nine countries.
The institutions who founded the initiative in 2020 was Mexican Society for the Communication of Science and Technology, Mouvement International pour le Loisir Scientifique Et Technique (MILSET), Youth Science and Technology Activities National Network (Mexico), Mexican Network of Science Recreation Workshops, Fibonacci Innovation and Scientific Culture (Mexico), CIENTEC Foundation (Costa Rica), Distance State University (Costa Rica), National Laboratory of Nanotechnology (Costa Rica).
International Day of Scientific Culture was first Celebrated in India at Guru Nanak College in Collaboration with National Centre of Science Communicators, Mumbai
Role of Science
Science is a powerful tool to understand reality and to use it to solve the needs and problems that are presented to us. Science is a human enterprise and in terms of Values, Knowledge and Applications. Science is the key element in the development of Society.
People require a Scientific Culture for the general understanding of the Role of Science in the Development of Society which will lead to empowered Scientifically Cultured Citizens
The IDSC focuses on activities and institutions that provide ways for people to appreciate science as an important part of their lives.
COSMOS Legacy
“Cosmos” and the IDSC share one common ideal: science is for everyone. Ann Druyen, who co-author of “Cosmos” with her husband, Carl Sagan, the series aimed to “tear down the walls that have excluded the rest of us from the scientific enterprise.”
This important goal creates the foundation for society’s citizens to become more educated in scientific principles, which is necessary for not only the progression of our planet’s citizenry but the continuation of the planet itself.
Need
Many institutions and individuals around the world contribute to strengthening scientific culture through public communication of science. But more needs to be done. Therefore, in 2020 a group of institutions launched the initiative of the International Day of Scientific Culture.
Despite the fact that IDSC was created to contribute to strengthening scientific culture through public communication of science, more needs to be done to bring into the scientific fold the number of engaged, knowledgeable citizens needed to enact change. The more we know about the scientific principles and processes driving the changes our planet experiences and needs we uncover, the more we can encourage those who make the decisions surrounding the topics important to our survival.
Action
Institutions, as well as individuals, can celebrate the IDSC through one or more activities
Disseminating the Concept of Scientific Culture,
Highlighting its importance in today’s world,
Promoting the Integration of Science as part of citizen Culture
Highlighting the need for Citizens in general to be Scientifically Educated.
India is the first and the only country to explicitly adopt Scientific Temper in its constitution. Article 51A(h) was added under the Fundamental Duties which states that ‘It shall be the Duty of every citizen of India to Develop Scientific Temper, Humanism and the Spirit of Enquiry and Reform.
With India advancing rapidly in Science and Technology a New Scientific Culture is setting in. India is making rapid strides in every sphere of Scientific Activity. With the young dynamic population as the asset India is set to be the World Leader
Let’s inculcate and establish Scientific Culture… Celebrate’ International Day of Scientific Culture’
Dr Siddhivinayak Barve
Editor, ScienceNow Digital
