One of our noblest missions is to promote access to scientific culture and education, but it demands deep commitment, time, and a sense of selflessness. The only reward one can expect is the appreciation reflected in attentive gazes, and the inner satisfaction of knowing that we are doing something worthwhile. We have already mentioned the adventure of the LightBox Kit, a project launched in partnership between our Education Commission and the Atout Sciences association. Today, let us focus on our Commission Physics / Optics Without Borders, a joint initiative with the French Physical Society. Our primary goal, is to initiate awareness and to develop training actions in photonics, based on frugal technologies, in regions where access to scientific practices may be hindered by the lack of available resources. Our commission’ s success stories abound, some come from the recycling of obsolete CD components, while others involve educational microscopes costing just a few dozen euros. There are also light sources made from small photovoltaic cells and recycled plastic bottles filled with water. Many training workshops have been organized as well, such as the International Training in Solar Photovoltaics launched in 2023 within the framework of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, and still ongoing( Togo, Madagascar, Niger, Côte d ' Ivoire, Mauritius, Guinea,...). Additional initiatives are taking place in Peru, Chile, and Mexico. We take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional work and dedication of our colleague François Piuzzi, the outgoing president of the Commission. From our congress to the farthest reaches, he is a tireless advocate for the dissemination of knowledge. We also wish to warmly welcome our colleague Pierre Richard Dahoo, the new president of the commission. Science knows no border, provided we remain vigilant and actively promote it, especially in these difficult times.

Ariel Levenson, Directeur de recherche CNRS, Past-President of SFO François Salin, President and CEO Ilasis Laser, President of SFO

EMILIANO DESCROVI President of the European Optical Society

The European Optical Society( EOS) continues to stand at the forefront of the optics community, not only as a premier platform for scientific exchange but also as a driver of scientific collaboration, education and innovation. Along this line, EOS proudly returns to the World of Photonics this June with the Early Stage Researchers Sessions, in collaboration with CLEO ®/ Europe-EQEC. In parallel, EOS reaffirms its commitment to inclusion through the prestigious Early Career Women in Photonics Award. In 2024, EOS joined the 360 CARLA European consortium, a forward-looking initiative aimed at equipping students with the skills, mentorship, and practical experience needed to thrive in the photonics industry. As part of this effort, EOS will organize a Career Symposium & Training in Grenoble in March 2026— stay tuned! The EOS Annual Meeting( EOSAM) is taking place in Delft, The Netherlands next August 24th-28th 2025. Under the leadership of general chairs Stefan Witte and Omar El Gawhary and supported by Elina Koistinen, Ignacio Moreno and myself as program chairs, the event promises a rich scientific experience, with world-class plenary speakers including Pablo Artal, Natalie Picqué, Clara Saraceno, Monika Ritsch-Marte, and Xu Liu and Yoshimasa Kawata as guests from China and Japan. Tutorials will be provided on a wide portfolio of topics, including Photonics for AI( S. Gigan), Colorimetry( J. Muschaweck), Spatial Light Modulators( I. Moreno), Illumination Optics( M. Anthonissen), Scatterometry( H. Cramer), Topological Optics( S. Horsley), Metrology( J. Blakesley) and 2-photon Lithography. The program develops across 10 Topical Meetings and 4 Focused Sessions covering many subfields of optics and photonics. Extended contributions are welcome in the JEOS-RP topical issue EOSAM2025. As an interesting novelty, a plenary session will be dedicated to present and discuss EU policies and initiatives, with contributions from Photonics21( R. Ramponi), PhotonHub Europe( H. Thienpont), PHORTIFY( H. Ottevaere), and others to come. Looking forward to seeing you in Delft!

Emiliano Descrovi, Professor at the Politecnico di Torino, President of EOS

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