PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
UN INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CHEMISTRY 2011 (21 January 2011)

That this House congratulates the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) on organising the Parliamentary launch of the United Nations International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011 in the House on 24 January at 7pm; notes that this will include an address by the President of the Society, Professor David Phillips, and that the IYC will be officially launched by the right hon. Member for Havant in his capacity as Minister for Universities and Science; notes that the IYC is a UN-approved initiative with the support of chemical societies and other organisations around the world; notes that the IYC aims to increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meeting world needs, to engage young people in chemistry, and to generate enthusiasm for chemistry's creative future; notes further that throughout the year the RSC will be organising a wide range of interactive, entertaining and educational activities for all ages, allowing children and adults alike to explore the crucial role of chemistry in people's lives; notes with interest that this inaugural event will involve the first live chemistry experiments ever performed in the Commons Terrace Marquee and webcast live and that the demonstration will be given by Professor Hal Sosabowski, Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Brighton; and applauds the constructive role that the Society continues to play in fulfilment of its Royal Charter to serve the public interest by consistently strengthening the relations between science and Parliament.