BASF played host to countless visitors in the International Year of Chemistry
The International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011, initiated by the United Nations, officially ends today with a closing event in Brussels. The IYC has been a huge success for BASF. Worldwide, 100,000 people visited BASF sites and attended BASF-hosted and BASF-sponsored events. More than 31,000 children and teens carried out water-themed experiments in BASF Kids’ Labs across the globe. "
- (1888PressRelease) December 05, 2011 - Chemistry is a key enabling technology. Chemistry is essential in developing solutions for the challenges of the future. The International Year of Chemistry has helped us to raise awareness for this,” commented Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, at today’s IYC ceremony in Brussels.
BASF’s year of IYC celebrations on every continent
The International Year of Chemistry with the theme „Chemistry: our life, our future” began on January 27 in Paris. As an official sponsor, BASF helped fund the international launch ceremony and national celebrations in Germany, Brazil and Australia. BASF also supported the IYC by organizing a number of national and international activities:
BASF hosted public-access Open Days at sites in numerous countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Children and teens all over the world participated in water-themed experiments at mobile and permanent BASF Kids’ Labs and in cooperation projects with schools and science museums throughout the world. In Asia Pacific alone, 15,000 children took part. BASF developed a “Water Exploration” kit in collaboration with the Kosmos-Verlag and distributed it free of charge to 20,000 children in Germany, Switzerland, France and Poland.
BASF took part in exhibitions all over the world, for example in France and Brazil. The company also organized competitions, discussions and information events themed on chemistry. One such event was the “Molecule Feast” in Switzerland, attended by 4,000 people, and a science show in South Africa that drew 6,000 visitors. In the United States, 5,000 schools took part in the BASF science program. In the UK, BASF gave 10,000 science dictionaries to schools and libraries.
“Chemgeneration.com,” an internet tutorial launched early in the year, has been visited more than 40,000 times by chemistry fans in 126 countries.
BASF hosted IYC-themed customer events in countries including Mexico, Canada and the United States.
In Sao Paulo and at BASF sites in Brazil, BASF celebrated “100 Years of BASF in Brazil” along with the IYC in 2011.
IYC raises awareness for the importance of chemistry
The IYC is part of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014 and highlights the importance of chemistry in promoting sustainable development. One aim is to foster an interest in chemistry among young people and to increase public appreciation of the fundamental importance of chemistry. Another objective is to encourage educational institutions, industry, governments and non-government organizations to strengthen their networks and work together more effectively in future.
Overall, coordination was provided by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), an international organization to advance the worldwide aspects of the chemical sciences. A central element of the IYC was the “Global Experiment” designed by IUPAC and carried out by schoolchildren of all ages on all continents. The themes of the experiments were water quality and purity. The results are published in an interactive electronic map of the world.
Information for journalists:
More information about the International Year of Chemistry at BASF are available for download at www.basf.com/IYC
Internet IYC: http://www.chemistry2011.org/
Internet IUPAC : http://www.iupac.org/
Internet UNESCO : http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/
Click this link for photos on the International Year of Chemistry: www.basf.com/pressphoto-database/IYC (English) Keyword: IYC
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109 ,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.
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