According To The Un 2022 Is The International Year Of Glass

The United Nations has revealed that 2022 is set to be the International Year of Glass, which will celebrate the essential role glass has and will continue to have in society for years and generations to come.

Glassworks International News Year of Glass

Since 1959, the General Assembly of the United Nations has designated specific years as ‘United Nations International Years’ to acknowledge fields of international endeavour and the importance of their contributions to global society.

Often going unacknowledged, glass supports many vital technologies, facilitates sustainability and supports a greener world. With an astonishing 1,300 endorsements from the sector in 78 countries, The International Year of Glass will strive to highlight the scientific, economic and cultural roles glass plays in our society across the globe.

The journey to the International Year of Glass started back in 2018, where support came from 1,500 universities, research centres, museums, artists, educators and manufacturers across 5 continents. After negotiating through the COVID-19 pandemic, the formal resolution was agreed at the United Nations General Assembly on the 18th May 2021.

Highlighted by the draft resolutions “the International Year of Glass, 2022 can facilitate the exchange of best practices and the creation of partnerships between key stakeholders to support developing countries in achieving sustainability in the glass industry, creating jobs and improving livelihoods.”

The draft resolution also highlighted key STEAM opportunities, where the International Year of Glass not only looks at the contribution to the science and technology community but it allows us to celebrate “the promotion, empowerment, participation and contribution of women, and of girls through education, in science, technology and innovation.”

The International Year of Glass will look at the past, present and future of glass following the United Nations’ goals in Agenda 2030 across many areas such as demonstrating the role of glass in advancing civilization throughout recorded history, organising international glass science and art festivals with workshops to excite and inform the public, highlight the links between glass, art and culture and to stimulate research on glass to address the great challenges the world faces in achieving sustainability and to improving the quality of life everywhere to name just a few.

It appears that the use of glass in society is far-reaching and touches so many areas of our everyday lives. Here at Glassworks International, our team is excited to help promote the International Year of Glass 2022 and we hope we can help to inform and educate as many people on glass throughout the upcoming year.