Scientist of the day - Agnes Arber

Agnes Arber

Agnes Arber was one of the most renowned botanists belonging to the 18th century. Her father was an artist and from him she gained the art of illustration which later on helped her in demonstrating the botanical works which she was involved in. She inculcated an interest in the subject of botany when she was in school and her scores were evident of her passion for the subject. She worked diligently and gained knowledge about the subject and even gained scholarship which helped her continue further studies in botany. Her encounter with the renowned botanist Ethel Sargent proved beneficial and Sargent provided her with the guidance which was required to enhance the qualities of Agnes as a botanist. She worked with Sargent in her laboratory which provided Arber with immense practical knowledge. She went to become an eminent botanist who did significant research work, which formed the base of many future developments in plant science. She focussed more on plant anatomy and morphology and even established a difference between pure morphology and applied morphology. Her work on floral structure has been an important development in the world of science. She has also made many contributions to the botanical science by her research work, revolving around monocotyledons 

Childhood & Early Life

• Agnes was born to Henry Robertson and Agnes Lucy Turner on 23rd February, 1879, in London. She was the eldest of four children and her siblings were named Donald Struan Robertson, Margaret Robertson and Janet Robertson.
• She received education from ‘North London Collegiate School’, where she cultivated an interest for the subject of botany. Her first research work was published in her school magazine, in 1894.
• Following this she topped the botany paper in her class and earned a scholarship. During her school days she met plant morphologist Ethel Sargent, who later went on to become her guide in botany.
• She enrolled at the ‘University College’, London in 1897 and two years later, she completed B.Sc. Later, she joined the ‘Newnham College’ and earned a degree in Natural Sciences in 1902. She excelled as a student earning many awards and accolades.

  Major Works

  In 1950, she penned the book entitled ‘The Natural Philosophy of Plant Form’ became one of the most renowned works of this remarkable plant morphologist. The book focusses on the transition from research to the establishment of a philosophy. In this book she introduces the ‘partial-shoot theory of the leaf’. The theory says that each component of a plant is either a shoot or a partial-shoot.

  Awards & Achievements

  • In 1946, she was the ‘Fellow of the Royal Society’, and she was the first women botanist to be bestowed with this honour.
  • The ‘Linnean Society of London’ honoured this learned researcher with the ‘Gold Medal.

    Personal Life & Legacy

    • In 1909, she married Edward Alexander Newall Arber, who was a paleobotanist and the couple was blessed with a child named Muriel Agnes Arber.
    • The family shifted to Cambridge and Agnes stayed there until her death on 22 March, 1960.

   

 

World Day of Social Justice

2016 Theme: A Just Transition - environmentally sustainable economies and societies

 

The United Nations' (UN) World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on February 20 to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication. It also focuses on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration.  

What Do People Do?

Many organizations, including the UN and the International Labour Office, make statements on the importance of social justice for people. Many organizations also present plans for greater social justice by tackling poverty, social and economic exclusion and unemployment. Trade unions and campaign groups are invited to call on their members and supporters to mark the day. The Russian General Confederation of Trade Unions declared that the common slogan would be "Social Justice and Decent Life for All!".

Schools, colleges and universities may prepare special activities for the day or plan a week of events around a theme related to poverty, social and economic exclusion or unemployment. Different media, including radio and television stations, newspapers and Internet sites, may give attention to the issues around the World Day of Social Justice.

It is hoped that particular coverage is given to the links between the illicit trade in diamonds and armed conflicts, particularly in Africa, and the importance of the International Criminal Court. This is an independent court that conducts trials of people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Background

The World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995 and resulted in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. At this summit, more than 100 political leaders pledged to make the conquest of poverty and full employment, as well as stable, safe and just societies, their overriding objectives. They also agreed on the need to put people at the center of development plans.

Nearly 10 years later, the UN's member states reviewed the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action when they gathered at a session of the Commission for Social Development in New York in February 2005. They also agreed to commit to advance social development. On November 26, 2007, the UN General Assembly named February 20 as the annual World Day of Social Justice. The day was scheduled to be first observed in 2009.