Worldwide Promotion of the International Year of Glass 2022

Its aim is to underline the scientific and economic importance of glass, the unseen heart of so many technologies and a facilitator of just and sustainable societies as they face the challenges of globalization.

A formal presentation of the project was streamed worldwide on Thursday 3rd December via the CSIC channel on YouTube. It quickly clocked up 2500 direct hits with many more through LinkedIn and Google. New letters of endorsement arrived, adding to the 1150 previously received from 74 countries. If you have not done so, please watch and register your interest at: www.iyog2022.org.

Sadly the delivery of a formal Resolution to the General Assembly by the Spanish Ambassador has been delayed by COVID-19 and current political instabilities. He has though gained support from numerous countries in every continent but is now targeting a unanimous vote, at the next UN meeting in March. Meanwhile, delay gives more time to add to the current tally of 1250 endorsements from 77 countries. Please use our presentation to draw in more participants and collect more endorsements. In its 30 mins it focusses on the role of glass in an equitable and sustainable society. A HiRes version can be downloaded from: https://saco.csic.es/index.php/s/G9wKrACigLsKHT6 for uploading elsewhere.

This pause also gives space to focus on planned activities. Currently these include a kick-off event in February in Geneva, an ICG congress in Berlin, a worldwide Congress on Glass Technology in Shanghai and a global art/history congress. We are promised dedicated journal issues, exhibitions in museums, public and private glass collections, and educational materials for universal dissemination. Networking will be indispensable. A Steering Committee is being assembled, based on representatives who can establish effective coordination to national institutions, to promote a sharing of ideas and multiply their impact.

Another key task is Fundraising to finance the Opening Session in Geneva and subsequent activities. A team are ready to kick into action once UN approval is given.

Let's continue gathering support and working towards our common dream. I wish you the best for 2021, a COVID-free New Year

Alicia Durán

Research Professor CSIC

President of the ICG

Chair of IYOG2022

(manager@iyog2022.org)