The EU GREEN Alliance proudly marks the International Day of Light (IDL), a UNESCO initiative celebrated annually on May 16th, through the EU GREEN Light Festival: Light for Sustainability, a vibrant, multi‑institutional programme of events across Europe.
Aligned with the 2026 theme, “Light for a Sustainable Future”, the festival showcases the transformative role of light and light‑based technologies in advancing scientific innovation, cultural expression, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a diverse mix of in‑person and online activities, EU GREEN partner universities invited students, researchers, and communities to explore how light contributes to sustainability, education, and societal wellbeing.
Festival Highlights
University of Évora, Portugal (14–15 May)
Light, Science and Society: From Cultural Heritage to Global Atmospheres
The University of Évora will deliver a multidisciplinary programme combining scientific research, environmental action, and cultural heritage.
Date: 15 May
Time: 10:00 GMT
- “From Light to Actions: How Spectroscopy Saved the Ozone Layer”
A public lecture by Dr. Daniele Bortoli exploring how light-based analysis has supported global environmental protection efforts.
Link to the conference:
https://zoom.us/j/96115289132?pwd=awXKORbVwRNcmPHEfhYLDEMKibeQUa.1
Date: 14 May
Location: Local Public Event in Évora District Court and Library
“Haja Luz!” Public Engagement Programme will take place in Évora, featuring guided tours and talks at the District Court and Library. These sessions will highlight how light-based techniques are used in art analysis, manuscript preservation, early photography, and scientific investigation.
These activities highlight the intersection of science, culture, and society through light‑based innovation.
University of Parma, Italy (21 May)
Illuminating Sustainability: The Future of Optical Networks
The University of Parma will host a high‑level seminar event under the patronage of the IEEE Photonics Society Italy Chapter, exploring the critical role of optical fibre technologies in sustainable communication systems.
Date: 21st May
Time: 10.30-12.30pm (CET)
The programme will feature two expert-led sessions:
- Dominique Chiaroni (Nokia Bell Labs) – Key directions for In-building Sustainable Optical Networks
- Gudrun Gudmundsdottir (Technical University of Denmark) – Toward sustainable data transmission: Environmental impact of a fixed telecommunication network in Sweden 2024
This event will provide participants with valuable insights into how light-based technologies are shaping sustainable digital infrastructure.
To participate, you must register at this link:
Seminars International Day of Light – May 21st
The event is also part of the national Sustainable Development Festival.
University of Oradea, Romania (12–16 May)
SDG Glow‑Up Challenge 2026 – “Light Up the Future”
The University of Oradea will host a creative competition challenging students to transform sustainability concepts into innovative light‑based installations using recycled materials and simple circuitry or digital tools.
Participants will create original artworks representing one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, submitting a digital project package including:
- A final illuminated image or video
- A short explanation of their concept
- Evidence of sustainable material use
Winning projects will be announced on May 16th and transformed into professional digital campaign materials and showcased in a virtual “Hall of Light” gallery, highlighting student innovation across the EU GREEN Alliance.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland
Illuminating Discovery: Research Image Competition
The ATU EU GREEN Team, in collaboration with the ATU Library, will host a Research Image Competition inviting undergraduate, postgraduate, and staff researchers to visually demonstrate how light drives discovery.
Submissions will explore themes such as:
- Light as a scientific tool
- Revealing invisible phenomena
- Natural light and the universe
- Data visualisation through light and colour
Winning images will be announced on 18th May, awarded prizes and featured across EU GREEN and ATU platforms, showcasing the visual power of research.
