The IYS 2020+ Final Report

The International Year of Sound 2020–2021 (IYS 2020+) was a global initiative conceived and declared by the International Commission for Acoustics (ICA) to highlight the fundamental role sound plays in all aspects of human life and society. Developed over a decade of strategic planning, the campaign was carried out in close collaboration with the French organisation La Semaine du Son (The Week of Sound) to fulfill the objectives of UNESCO Resolution 39 C/49, “The Importance of Sound in Today’s World: Promoting Best Practices”. Following the official launch ceremony in Paris in January 2020, the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted scheduled physical gatherings. In response, the ICA Steering Committee extended the initiative through 2021, re-designating it as IYS 2020+ and transitioning events to virtual and hybrid formats. The campaign was anchored by founding member organisations, including the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), the European Acoustics Association (EAA), the International Institute of Acoustics and Vibration (IIAV), and the International Institute of Noise Control Engineering (I-INCE).

The report underscores that sound touches virtually every domain of human activity and natural science. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the interdisciplinary character of acoustics, encompassing:

  • Speech, Music, and Culture: Spoken language and musical heritage form the cornerstone of human social interaction, education, and artistic expression.
  • Human Health and Noise Control: Pleasant sounds and natural soundscapes foster mental well-being and stress reduction. Conversely, exposure to excessive industrial, environmental, or recreational noise causes hearing impairment and cardiovascular risks, highlighting the necessity of urban soundscape management and noise mitigation.
  • Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tools: Medical ultrasonography and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) provide essential, non-invasive diagnostic imaging and targeted treatments.
  • Bioacoustics and Environmental Science: Sound waves serve as vital indicators for monitoring wildlife populations, ecosystem health, underwater environments, and seismic activity.

The report documents over 150 formal events held across 31 countries on every continent. Regional distribution comprised Europe (55%), the Americas (30%), and the Asia-Pacific region (15%). National societies adapted to pandemic conditions by hosting online webinars, virtual acoustics conferences, soundwalks using mobile applications, and localized noise awareness campaigns.

To preserve the momentum generated during IYS 2020+, the ICA has committed to several long-term measures:

IYS+ Final Report

You can download the high-resolution version of the IYS+ Final Report here, as well as a summary of the financial statement showing how the project funds were allocated (coming soon).