London International Youth Science Forum

London International Youth Science Forum
LIYSF
Genre Scientific Forum
Frequency Yearly
Location(s) Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom
Inaugurated 1959
Founder Rt Hon Lord Nathan and Philip S. Green MBE
Most recent 27/07/2016 ~ 10/08/2016
Participants 500
Area London, United Kingdom
Leader Richard Myhill
Patron(s) HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh OM KG KT and the Duke of Kent KG
People
  • Prof. Richard O'Kennedy (President)
  • Mike Clark (Chairman)
Member Enriching Cultural Experiences (ECE)
Sponsor United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
Website

liysf.org

"Founded in 1959, LIYSF aims to give a deeper insight into science and its applications for the benefit of all mankind and to develop a greater understanding between young people of all nations." [1]

The London International Youth Science Forum (formerly the London International Youth Science Fortnight) is one of the oldest residential science conferences in the world, hosting approximately 500 students from 65 counties all over the world in London, the United Kingdom. Students interact with "experts at the top of their fields" [2] in a world-class program of lectures, with access to premier research centers, scientific laboratories and leading educational institutions, including Cambridge and Oxford universities.[3]

Participants at the forum are often winners of national or international scientific competitions, but the conference also emphasises inter-cultural communication through various social events, and in 2016 LIYSF was granted UNESCO patronage.[4]

The overarching theme of the 2016 conference is "Great Scientific Discoveries".

Reception

The Forum has received numerous warm receptions. David Cameron, former British Prime Minister, described LIYSF as "a fantastic opportunity for young scientists from all over the world to come together... and engage in a programme designed to educate, stimulate and inspire". The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Irina Bokova, notes that LIYSF exhibits commendable understanding of "how science and culture go hand in hand, while sharing knowledge and experiences". [5]

History

The idea of a science forum that would bring together top science students from many countries was most evidently considered after World War Two, when this idea was realised 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 an co-ordinated programme housing all participants in one location, 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"[6]

From 1971 to the 21st century, LIYSF has attracted a range of a wide range of notable presidents, including four Nobel Prize laureates, and innumerable distinguished speakers and lecturers.

Top speakers attend each year and have recently included; Professor Fiona Watt, Lord Robert Winston, Professor Sir Roy M. Anderson, Professor Mark McCaughrean, Professor Lesley Yellowlees, Professor Dame Carol Robinson, Professor John Ellis, Professor Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith and Professor David Phillips (chemist).

Support

Support is given primarily given by, amongst other organisations and groups, The European Commission, the British Council, Education UK and the GREAT Campaign.[7][8][9]

References

  1. ↑ "About the London International Youth Science Forum 27th July to 10th August 2016". www.liysf.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  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. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  3. ↑ O'Kennedy, 1959 (April 2016). "London Youth International Science Forum" (booklet). In R. Myhill. Great Scientific Discoveries. London Youth International Science Forum in the United Kingdom. 58. M. Clark (1 ed.). London/ UK: ECE. pp. 1–34.
  4. ↑ 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 2016-08-02.
  5. ↑ O'Kennedy, 1959 (April 2016). "London Youth International Science Forum" (booklet). In R. Myhill. Great Scientific Discoveries. London Youth International Science Forum in the United Kingdom. 58. M. Clark (1 ed.). London/ UK: ECE. pp. 1–34.
  6. ↑ "History of LIYSF". www.liysf.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
  7. ↑ O'Kennedy, 1959 (April 2016). "London Youth International Science Forum" (booklet). In R. Myhill. Great Scientific Discoveries. London Youth International Science Forum in the United Kingdom. 58. M. Clark (1 ed.). London/ UK: ECE. pp. 1–34.
  8. ↑ "Imperial welcomes back major international science event" (Press release). United Kingdom: Imperial College London. Imperial College London. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  9. ↑ "UNESCO Patronage for 58th LIYSF". UNESCO NEWS. Kyiv, Ukraine. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.

See also

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