Two thousand guests were at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to witness the launch of a global campaign to celebrate the scientific achievements of renowned 11th century scientist Ibn al-Haytham.

The launch event was part of the high profile opening ceremony of the 2015 International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

IYL 2015 is a yearlong initiative to promote light-science and its applications for humanity initiated by the United Nations and supported by a host of partner organisations from across the world.

The global campaign '1001 Inventions and The World of Ibn Al-Haytham' is produced by the UK based, science and cultural heritage organization, 1001 Inventions and Saudi Aramco’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, in partnership with UNESCO and IYL 2015.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said, “I am pleased to partner with the international organisation 1001 Inventions to launch the World of Ibn Al-Haytham global campaign, to promote light-science for the benefit of all. A ground-breaking scientist from a thousand years ago, the life and work of Ibn Al-Haytham have never been as relevant as they are today.”

The global campaign involves a series of high-profile international events, engaging science experiences including interactive exhibits, live shows, workshops, digital content on the website IbnAlhaytham.com, educational products and teaching resources as well as a short feature film staring legendary actor Omar Sharif.

The campaign inter-links IYL2015 themes and programmes on science, arts, culture and technology using experiential learning to incite inquisitiveness and curiosity and to encourage young people to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Ahmed Salim, Producer and Director of 1001 Inventions, commented: “1001 Inventions is honoured to be a Founding Partner of the International Year of Light 2015 and we’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Ibn al-Haytham lived at a very important time in the history of science.

"A time known as the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation that spread from Spain in the west to China in the east. Here, men and women of different faiths and cultures built up on knowledge of other civilisations making important positive contributions to humanity. The achievements of Ibn al-Haytham and his peers serve as an inspiration to us today.”

Fuad Therman, Director of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Saudi Arabia, said, “We are delighted to be a partner of this important global initiative that allows us to demonstrate how history and culture can be used to investigate and address the critical issues of our time.

"With the life and work of Ibn al-Haytham as an inspiration, we are aiming to empower youth with skills and creative thinking methodologies that link the science of the past to contemporary issues to meet 21st century challenges.”

The Chairman of IYL 2015, John Dudley, added, “Ibn al-Haytham’s achievements in physics, optics, mathematics, astronomy, empiricism and the scientific method have had a lasting, yet underappreciated, impact on the way we live our lives today.

"His story is one that is integral to the 2015 International Year of Light. I hope it motivates young people to pursue careers in science and strive towards building a brighter future.”

The campaign will now roll out in countries around the world through engaging with museums, science festivals, educational institutions, digital and social media platforms.