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New publication from IOCD highlights the contribution of the chemical sciences to development
IOCD scientists Stephen Matlin and Berhanu Abegaz have just published a major review of the role of
chemistry in development:
S.A. Matlin, B.M. Abegaz, Chemistry for Development, in J. Garcia-Martinez, E. Serrano-Torregrosa
(Eds), The Chemical Element: Chemistry's Contribution to Our Global Future,
Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2011, Chapter 1, 1-70.
The chapter serves as an introduction to the whole book, published by Wiley-VCH to mark the 2011
International Year of Chemistry, which covers the multi-faceted contributions that chemistry makes
to human wellbeing and in which prominent scientists highlight the role of chemistry in the fight
against the biggest problems faced by humanity. The chapter by Matlin and Abegaz can be downloaded
free as a 'sample chapter' from the Wiley website, where the whole book can be purchased:
2011 - A landmark year for the chemical sciences and development
The chemical sciences provide an understanding and explanation of the physical and chemical properties of
atoms and molecules and practical methods for creating new molecular structures and materials with useful
applications. Chemistry is a "platform science", contributing to fundamental aspects of a range of
other pure and applied sciences and underpinning the dramatic advances seen in recent decades in such
diverse fields as biotechnology, energy, the environment, genetics, materials and medicine.
During the last two centuries, the chemical sciences have contributed enormously both to broad improvements
in human wellbeing (including enhancements in life expectancy, health and quality of life) and to wealth
creation for individuals and nations. Landmark examples include the roles of chemistry and related sciences
in:
IOCD is 30 years old in 2011
The benefits from advances in chemistry and other sciences have not been evenly distributed globally. The
least industrially/technologically advanced countries have remained the poorest and people in low- and
middle-income countries (LMICs) often have much lower life expectancies than those in high-income countries.
IOCD was established in 1981 by the Belgian chemist Pierre Crabbé, as the first international non-
governmental organization specifically devoted to enhancing the role of the chemical sciences in the
development process and involving chemists in LMICs. Pierre Crabbé had a great humanitarian vision, as
expressed in his book with Leon Cardyn
[1-2].
Not only a visionary, Pierre built on his experiences of
organizing successful international science programmes in which the skills of chemists in LMICs were engaged
to synthesise compounds for pharmaceutical evaluation
[3-4].
Crabbé designed IOCD to stimulate capacity
building in LMICs and enable chemists in these countries to contribute to key science and technology areas
for development
[5-6].
In its first 30 years of operation, the overall impact of IOCD has been to help highlight the importance of
chemical sciences as contributors to development; to raise the profile of the field and its practitioners;
to initiate, promote or sustain a number of technical, managerial, policy and collaborative projects or
networks advancing chemical sciences in LMICs; and to contribute to vital resources for teaching, learning
and research.
For an appreciation of Pierre Crabbé's role as a scientist and humanitarian worker, see the
Pierre Crabbé Memorial Oration.
2011 is the International Year of Chemistry
The United Nations has designated 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry (IYC2011), providing opportunities for a
worldwide celebration of the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind. An
initiative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and UNESCO, the goals of IYC2011 are to increase the
public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs, to encourage interest in chemistry among young people, and to
generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry. Learn more about
IYC2011.
Marie Curie and women in science
2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the Chemistry Nobel Prize awarded to
Marie Curie.
This remarkable woman, who discovered the elements radium and polonium and shed fundamental light on the nature of
radioactivity, had already shared the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics. Marie Curie's 1903 dissertation became the first
doctorate in science awarded to a woman in Europe.
While the 20th century saw more women becoming highly successful scientists, globally there remains a huge
imbalance in the proportion of females in science. As
UNESCO.
has observed, "All over the world, scientific and technological training is too often just not available to
women, including informal training. Less women than men have scientific careers and when they do, professional progress
is slower. Women rarely hold high-level scientific decisional posts."
IOCD recognizes the rights of all people - women and men - to participate in careers in the sciences and, through the
chemical sciences, to contribute to improving the health, wealth and wellbeing of humankind. IOCD encourages equal
opportunity for girls and women everywhere to participate in education, training, research and employment in the
chemical sciences.
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