Prof Ramni Gupta
To highlight how Science can help us live better and more peacefully together UNESCO in 2001started to celebrate World Science Day for Peace and Development on 10th November. This special day reminds us that science is not only about laboratories and discoveries but it is about people, progress, and the planet. The idea of this celebration came from the World Conference on Science, held in Budapest in 1999. Scientists and world leaders agreed that science should serve humanity and that people everywhere should understand how it affects their lives. The goal of observing this day is simple but powerful, to build a bridge between science and society, so that everyone can take part in discussions and decisions about our shared future.
“Science is essential to peace-building because it offers practical, sustainable solutions to contemporary global challenges. By seeking responses to climate crises, epidemics and resource shortages, science helps to mitigate the root causes of many conflicts.”
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
Science touches every part of our lives as we can see from the clean water we drink to the mobile phones we use, from the medicines that heal us to the energy that lights our homes. This day celebrates those who work to make life better through science and reminds all of us to value facts, curiosity, and innovation.
Despite the progress, science faces challenges that threaten its impact in terms of misinformation, unequal access and sometimes there are ethical issues. Solving these issues requires global cooperation. Scientists, educators, media, and citizens must work together to create a culture where knowledge is valued and shared responsibly. In that direction the 2025 theme for observing this day is, “Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050,”that invites us to think deeply about how science can help us build a better future.
Trust, trust can be considered as The Heart of Science. Without it, people doubt facts, fear technology, and resist progress. In recent years, fake news, misinformation, and half-truths coming up frequently from various sources have created an atmosphere of disbelief in science. During the pandemic, for example, we saw both the power of science and the danger of mistrust. Scientists work with honesty, evidence, and open debate. However, the right message and what holds the facts and is true to the core sometimes gets lost in a noisy world. In recent times of social media with lightening fast communication channels it becomes vital to build public trust in science by bringing more transparency and inclusivity in the scientific achievements. That means it is required to explain how science works, sharing results openly, and involving communities in decision-making. Trust also grows when science doesn’t distinguishes on the basis of genders, cultures, and all regions have an equal voice so as to truly serve everyone.
Transformationis the Power of Change. Science has always been a force for transformation. Every invention beginning right from the wheel to the internet has impacted the lives. Recent discoveries like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, and quantum computing are reshaping our world faster than ever before. But not all change is good unless it benefits people and the planet as whole. True transformation means using knowledge responsibly and maintaining sustainability. The goal of the Sciences, which is aimed, is not just progress, but progress with purpose. Transform the lives by creating technologies which can raise the living standards of being in a real way so as to reduce poverty, fight disease, protect nature, and improve lives. The science we need must balance innovation with compassion. Any breakthrough that we get out of scientific query must not be to divide, deteriorate but should uplift.
Tomorrow – The Science We Need for 2050. Thinking about “tomorrow” in science means thinking ahead to the year 2050, when the world will look very different. By then, there will likely be almost 10 billion people on Earth. Climate change, water scarcity, new diseases, and food insecurity will be major challenges. To meet these challenges, we need smart, sustainable, and ethical science. Scientists are already exploring solutions that once sounded like science fiction like governments are looking into out of the box solutions towards issues where sustainability efforts are required to be put at the earliest. Some of these efforts are like going for Carbon-capture plants that pull greenhouse gases from the air, Fusion reactors that could provide clean, endless energy. Further AI-powered farming that grows more food with fewer resources. Synthetic biology that can design new medicines and materials. The science we need for 2050 is one that combines technology with humanity, one that helps us live in harmony with nature, not at its expense.
No doubt with truth and transformation Science is on way to brighten our tomorrow. Science can be a bridge for peace. While technology can be used for destruction, it can also bring nations together. International projects like the CERN Laboratory in Geneva or the International Space Station show what humanity can achieve when it works as one. During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists around the world shared data and worked together to create vaccines in record time. It was proof that science, when used collectively and compassionately, can overcome even the gravest crises.
If we look at the Human Side of Science, Science isn’t just about experiments and equations but it’s about people. Behind every discovery is a story of imagination, struggle, and perseverance. These stories remind us that curiosity and creativity are as important as resources and technology. Science advances when ordinary people ask extraordinary questions. As Stephen Hawking said, “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Be curious.”
As we move toward 2050, science must remain open, honest, and human-centered. The future will demand new ways of thinking – not just in laboratories, but in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities. So the science we need will be Transparent, so that people can see and trust how it works; Collaborative, so discoveries are shared globally; Ethical, so progress never comes at the cost of humanity. World Science Day for Peace and Development is more than a celebration. The 2025 theme, “Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow,” asks us to think about our shared responsibility on so that through the wonders of science we build a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world.
Science is not just about what we know, but about how we use that knowledge. It can light the darkest corners of ignorance, solve problems we once thought impossible, and bring people together across every divide. Scientific approach towards all aspects of our living plays a vital role in breaking age-old myths and misconceptions by revealing the truth through evidence and experimentation. From healthcare advancements that save lives to technologies that make everyday tasks easier, science continuously improves the quality of living. By fostering curiosity and rational understanding, it empowers individuals to make informed decisions and build a more progressive, enlightened world.
(The author is Department of Physics, University of Jammu)
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