CIE is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary! A century during which our knowledge of lighting fundamentals has taken enormous leaps forward, bringing new applications of light supported by both technological advances and economic success. A century that began with the revolution of the electric light and efforts to bring both the electric light bulb, and the power it required, into common use ends with the need to reduce energy distribution and use, and brings a technology that promises to achieve this for lighting. CIE’s mission “to promote worldwide cooperation and exchange of information on matters associated with light and lighting” is as relevant today as it was one hundred years ago.
As we move into a new century, knowledge, technology and the economy bring new challenges – social, physiological and psychological, environmental, and economic. Our understanding of the impacts of light, and the use of new technology, must be used to enhance the positive and reduce the negative effects of light. Light, like life, should show versatility, intelligence and sustainability.
We would like to celebrate our centenary with both existing CIE members, with their vast technological expertise, and with those who use and appreciate light as art, as healing, as inspiration, providing a special forum for discussion and interaction. Although Southern and Northern countries have specific needs, these subjects have emerged from all continents, raising numerous questions. There will be answers, some immediately and some in decades. But these concerns are moulding a new face to Light, to Life
It is my honour to invite you to discuss all these subjects during a whole week of events, among them a two-day conference, a symposium on colour vision, a workshop dedicated to young researchers working on a thesis or recently passed a thesis in the field of light and lighting, administrative meetings and Division and Technical committee (TC) meetings. We welcome all participants and contributors.
It is also my honour and pleasure to invite you to Paris, first because it has a long history in lighting and is where CIE was officially created and hosted, and second because I consider Paris as my hometown, and I trust you will fully enjoy it for both professional and personal reasons.
CIE-France members are pleased to welcome you all.
Cyril CHAIN
President of CIE-France