London International Youth Science Forum

London International Youth Science Forum
LIYSF
GenreNot-For-profit Scientific Forum
FrequencyYearly
Location(s)Imperial College London
CountryUnited Kingdom
Inaugurated1959
Participants500
AreaLondon, United Kingdom
LeaderRichard Myhill
Patron(s)HRH The Princess Royal
People
SponsorUNESCO
Websitewww.liysf.org.uk

The London International Youth Science Forum is a two week residential forum held at Imperial College London and The Royal Geographical Society.

Overview

Each year almost 500 students aged 16-21 years attend the forum from both the United Kingdom and overseas.

The event hosts lectures and demonstrations from leading scientists, as well as visits to industrial sites, research centres, scientific institutions and organisations, including world class laboratories and universities, including Cambridge and Oxford universities.[1] Students interact with "experts at the top of their fields".[2] The conference also emphasises inter-cultural communication through various social events

In 2016 LIYSF was granted UNESCO patronage.[3]

History

The idea of a science forum was considered after World War II, and was realized in the form of student exchanges between different schools and communities in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Czechoslovakia. In 1959, writing that "out of like interests the strongest interests grow", Philip Green initiated a coordinated programme housing all participants at the University of London.

In the next decades, the conference expanded across the globe, starting from the United States of America to Eastern Asian countries. The initial goal was to "put science into perspective and to encourage those attending to be aware of the needs of the world and what was happening in disciplines other than the one they were studying".[4]

Speakers at LIYSF include well-known scientists and policymakers.[5]

Reception

The Forum has received acknowledgement from world leaders. David Cameron, former Prime Minister, described LIYSF as "a fantastic opportunity for young scientists from all over the world to come together... and engage in a program designed to educate, stimulate and inspire".[citation needed] The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Irina Bokova, notes that LIYSF exhibits "a commendable understanding of how science and culture go hand in hand, while sharing knowledge and experiences".[1]

Support

Support is primarily provided by, amongst other organizations and groups, the British Council, Education UK and the GREAT Campaign.[1][6][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c O'Kennedy, Richard (April 2016). "London Youth International Science Forum". In R. Myhill (ed.). Great Scientific Discoveries. London Youth International Science Forum in the United Kingdom (booklet). Vol. 58. M. Clark (1 ed.). London/ UK: ECE. pp. 1–34.
  2. ^ "Seven students selected to attend CERN and the London Youth Science Forum" (Press release). New Zealand: the Royal Society of New Zealand - Te Apārangi. the Royal Society of New Zealand - Te Apārangi. 12 May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  3. ^ Palí, Hubert Carrera (29 July 2016). "Jóvenes campechanos, presentes en el London International Youth Science" [Young Scientists present at [the] London International Youth Science] (Press release) (in Spanish). Mexico: La Jornada. La Jornada. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  4. ^ LIYSF official website
  5. ^ "UK National Commission for UNESCO - London International Youth Science Forum takes place under UNESCO Patronage". 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 14 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Imperial welcomes back major international science event" (Press release). United Kingdom: Imperial College London. Imperial College London. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  7. ^ "UNESCO Patronage for 58th LIYSF". UNESCO NEWS. Kyiv, Ukraine. Retrieved 4 August 2016.