Year of Quantum Science and Technology

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The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics and is a United Nations observance that aims to highlight the contributions of quantum science and practical applications of quantum technology.

The mission of the IYQ is to use the occasion of 100 years of quantum mechanics in 2025 to help raise public awareness of the importance and impact of quantum science and applications on all aspects of life. Anyone, anywhere can participate in IYQ by helping others to learn more about quantum on this centennial occasion or simply taking the time to learn more about it themselves. No One Owns Quantum Science No individual, society, country, institution, or discipline can claim ownership of the past or future of quantum science; it is knowledge that should be free to all. IYQ recognizes those who put effort into studying, developing, investigating, using, and teaching quantum science and technology, while seeking to solicit and answer questions from anyone who wants to learn more about it. Those who have insights into the beauty, power, and importance of quantum science and technology should use IYQ as a moment to share these insights with people who are less familiar with quantum. IYQ asks everyone to make an effort to reach out to people with different cultural backgrounds and aesthetic sensibilities.

If you’re inclined to present or seek out a unified story, make note of where others dissent. If you’re inclined to highlight disputes and controversies, recognize where there is consensus. If you’re inclined to promote or to understand established knowledge, make note of what is still unknown. Manythings have been and will be said about quantum science and technology that are untrue or misleading. The remedy for these statements is more quantum speech. All people proceed from learning simple, sometimes incorrect stories to deeper, more nuanced ones. IYQ aims to meet people where they are in their understanding and help them to construct pathways for this journey. There is often a disparity between how we hope scientific inquiry is conducted and how it is actually practiced by individuals and institutions. IYQ is an opportunity to communicate and model the ideals of how science should be practiced in the hope that future generations will take up these values. Pride in the past and optimism about the future are welcome, and stories often have to be simplified out of necessity, but IYQ should always aim to foreground honesty about the past and future of quantum science and technology. If quantum has brought joy to your life, share this joy with others.

Links:
Year of Quantum Science and Technology

Kwantummechanica

Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

#Hubble35 Hubble Telescope – 35th Anniversary Hubble’s Night Sky Challenge

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Hubble is working with The Astronomical League to coordinate the “Hubble’s Night Sky Observing Challenge” program, providing successful observers with recognition of their achievements.

The challenge includes two levels and observers do not need to be an Astronomical League member to participate. Do you have a telescope? Would you like to see some of the same night sky objects from the ground that Hubble has from space? You are invited to commemorate Hubble’s 35th anniversary by accepting our year-long stargazing challenge. New challenge objects will be featured weekly. On a clear night, find a safe location with a dark sky away from bright lights, point your telescope skyward, and with the help of star and finder charts, gaze upon some of the same iconic nebulae and galaxies Hubble has observed. How many of them can you find? For amateur astronomy clubs, science centers, museums, and other astronomy enthusiasts, use these monthly lists as a guide to conduct star parties that provide an opportunity for the public to see some amazing astronomical objects in person.

Links:
Hubble’s Night Sky Challenge

United Nations 80th anniversary

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UN 80th anniversary

In 2025, the United Nations (UN) marks its 80th anniversary, celebrating eight decades of promoting peace, human rights, social progress, and sustainable development worldwide; the theme of the celebration ‘Building Our Future Together’ underscores the Organization’s evolution, its continued relevance, and its mission to address today’s global challenges.

The UN is a global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the articulated mission of maintaining international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among states, to promote international cooperation, and to serve as a centre for harmonizing the actions of states in achieving those goals. United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force on October 24th, 1945 of the UN Charter. Celebrated every year, UN Day offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 80 years. The United Nations headquarters is located in New York City, with several other offices located in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague. The UN comprises six principal organizations: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, the Secretariat, and the Trusteeship Council which, together with several specialized agencies and related agencies, make up the United Nations System. There are in total 193 member states and 2 observer states. The UN has primarily focused on economic and social development, particularly during the wave of decolonization in the mid-20th century. The UN has been recognized as a leader of peace and human development, with many officers and agencies having been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but has also been criticized for perceived ineffectiveness, bias, and corruption.

Links:
The United Nations at 80 Building our future together

United Nations 80th General Assembly High-level Week 2025

VN viert 80e verjaardag in crisis: mensenrechten onder druk

Waterdier van het jaar 2025 : eendagsvlieg

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2025 staat bij Waterdiertjes.nl in het teken van de eendagsvlieg.

Ondanks hun naam leven eendagsvliegen langer dan één dag – hun larven brengen vaak een jaar door in het water voordat ze uitvliegen. In 2025 onderzoekt Waterdiertjes.nl de verspreiding van deze larven in Nederland om meer te leren over hun leefomgeving en de waterkwaliteit. Help jij de wetenschappers om dit waterdier in kaart te brengen?

Links:
2025: jaar van de eendagsvlieg

Het jaar van de eendagsvlieg

UK Government: Make Polluters Pay! – petition

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Oil giants like Shell have knowingly fuelled climate chaos around the world for decades, and now they are recklessly hunting for new oil and gas to burn.

Their greed for fossil fuel profits is driving more intense floods, fires, and droughts at home and abroad – so they should be the ones paying for the devastation this is causing to people’s lives.
Keir Starmer was elected on bold promises to tackle the climate crisis and he needs to stand up to Big Oil now more than ever. Let’s make sure the Prime Minister uses his power in Parliament to rein in oil giants like Shell and BP. Please can you sign our petition calling on the government to make oil giants pay? If enough of us sign, we can convince the Prime Minister to stand up to Big Oil at this crucial moment in the fight against the climate crisis.

Links:
UK Government: Make Polluters Pay!

Breaking Point: Untold Stories of Climate Loss and Damage – Why Greenpeace activists made a smash at Shell’s HQ

Jaar van de Torenvalk

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Vogelbescherming en Sovon vragen in 2025 extra aandacht voor de torenvalk.

In Nederland was de torenvalk lange tijd de talrijkste broedende roofvogel. Tegenwoordig is die plek ingenomen door de buizerd. Door gebruik van landbouwgif daalden de landelijke aantallen van de torenvalk rond 1960. Na een verbod op dat landbouwgif leefde de torenvalk weer even op. Helaas gaat hij sinds ongeveer 1990 opnieuw achteruit, met kleine oplevingen tijdens veldmuisrijke jaren. Tegenwoordig is nog maar een kwart over van de aantallen van halverwege vorige eeuw. Steeds intensiever grondgebruik maakt grote delen van het boerenland ongeschikt voor torenvalken. Vogelbescherming Nederland en Sovon Vogelonderzoek Nederland roepen 2025 uit tot Jaar van de Torenvalk. Door onderzoek en beschermingsactiviteiten wordt in dit jaar bijgedragen aan betere leefomstandigheden voor vogels in het landelijk gebied.

Links:
2025 is het Jaar van de Torenvalk

Jaar van de Torenvalk

Vroege Vogels Radio | 2 februari 2025 (Radio 1 NPO)

Torenvalken tellen? Dat doe je vanuit een rijdende auto

Second International Decade for People of African Descent

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Second International Decade of People or African Descent

The Second International Decade for People of African Descent is a global effort to advance human rights, equality and opportunity for people of African descent around the world.

Guided by the theme “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development,” it brings together governments, the United Nations, civil society and communities to build a more just and inclusive future.

Links:
Second International Decade for People of African Descent

Veganuary challenge 2025

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Veganuary (The name “Veganuary” is a portmanteau of “vegan” + “January”) is an annual challenge run by a UK nonprofit organisation that promotes and educates about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January.

Since the event began in 2014, participation has more than doubled each year. Veganuary can also refer to the event itself. Veganuary is a crowdfunded campaign to issue a challenge each January promoting eating vegan for the month. Participants sign up online and receive a downloadable “starter kit” and daily support emails. They’re offered an online “vegan starter kit” with restaurant guides, product directories, and a recipe database. Participants are encouraged to share images and recipes to social media, which according to academic Alexa Weik von Mossner creates a sense of community and communicates the message that veganism is easy and fun.

Links:
Veganuary challenge