ConfChem conference on a virtual colloquium to sustain and celebrate IYC 2011 initiatives in global chemical education: Sustainability and globalization of chemistry education

Globalization and sustainability of chemistry education are the current objectives for chemistry educators around the globe. IYC 2011 brought us a step closer to realizing these goals with its successful launch of a number of influential and international initiatives. To support chemistry education across the world and maintain the momentum produced from the IYC, this communication highlights several activities that serve to (1) link students from varying levels as well as the public with global chemistry activities, (2) identify key concepts and structures of chemistry for further developing chemistry literacy on a global scale via various channels including the design of international standards for chemistry education, and (3) disseminate research and practical outcomes to teachers and students in all parts of the world. This communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the ConfChem online conference, A Virtual Colloquium to Sustain and Celebrate IYC 2011 Initiatives in Global Chemical Education, held from May 18 to June 28, 2012 and hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education and the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education.