The 26th Science Promotion Award Held with the Support of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO; Secretary-General Emphasizes the Need for Universal Access to Knowledge

The 26th Science Promotion Award Ceremony was held on Thursday, 13 November, at Eyvan-e Shams Hall, with the participation of university professors, researchers, science promotion activists, and representatives of scientific institutions. The ceremony was organized by the Iranian Association for Science Promotion and the UNESCO Chair on Science Promotion, with the support of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO. A total of 15 individuals and organizations active in the field of science promotion were honored.

At the event, Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, highlighted the importance of science in today’s society, stating that science promotion is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. He emphasized that science cannot lead to development and improvements in quality of life unless the scientific community and the general public maintain genuine and sustained connections.

He stressed the need to strengthen communication among researchers, educational institutions, and society, describing science promotion as “a pathway to strengthening scientific literacy and social participation.”

Honoring the Award Recipients of the 26th Edition

During the ceremony, award recipients in various fields of science promotion, media activists, researchers, teachers, and cultural and educational institutions were honored. The recipients and the reasons for their selection are as follows:

Dr. Jamshid Momtaz, for his outstanding contributions to international law and for bridging legal knowledge and society; the Science House of the Graduate University of Advanced Technology in Zanjan, for its creative activities in promoting basic sciences; the Gabric Diabetes Association, for its educational and preventive initiatives in the field of diabetes; Taher Ghadirian, for raising awareness of climate challenges and environmental protection; Iranology Publications, for making Iranian knowledge and culture accessible to the public; Hadi Hejazi, for his efforts to promote knowledge of safety and crisis management; Samad Barki, a ranger at Golestan National Park, for environmental education and the protection of natural resources; Soroush Salvatian, for developing science education in underserved areas; Davoud Jafari, for teaching emerging technologies and nurturing young talent; and the Jame’e Yavari Farhangi organization, for promoting educational equity and improving the quality of learning in underserved areas.

The event was held to promote a culture of scientific engagement, strengthen social participation in the dissemination of knowledge, and support science professionals at the national level. It was widely welcomed by the scientific and cultural communities.