SOCs

Kevin Govender (co-chair); Vanessa McBride (co-chair); Richard de Grijs; Thijs Kouwenhoven; Amelia Ortiz-Gil; Michelle Willebrand; Renee Kraan Korteweg; Daniela Lazzaro; Lina Canas; Rosa Doran; Areg Mickaelian; Bonaventure Okere; Hyung Mok Lee; Ajit Kembhavi; Prospery Simpemba; Boonrucksar Soonthornthum

Rationale

Goal 3 of the IAU Strategic Plan 2020-2030 states "The IAU promotes the use of astronomy as a tool for development in every country." To realise this the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) seeks to further the use of astronomy as a tool for addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by capitalising on the field’s scientific, technological and cultural links and impact on society. The OAD represents a major financial and philosophical commitment of the IAU to ensure that astronomy will have a truly global impact on society. As of 2021 the OAD has supported over 200 projects in over 100 countries across the world, and established 11 regional and language offices. The OAD also conducted an analysis of all lessons and trends to date, and established a set of global “flagship” projects, which receive greater focus and are coordinated directly from the OAD. Amidst this ongoing work the OAD has also reacted to more immediate challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with special activities. Given the scale of activity and the significant global OAD network, this meeting will allow IAU members to engage with the work of the OAD and to contribute to shaping its future. This meeting is thus an ideal opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of Astronomy-for-Development, and establish the roadmap of such activities in line with the IAU Strategy 2020-2030, as the decade begins.

Topics

• OAD Flagship Projects: Sustainable, local socio-economic development through Astronomy ; Science diplomacy through Astronomy – Celebrating our Common Humanity (including the case of the Koreas); Knowledge and Skills for Development
• Global structure in astronomy-for-development – OAD’s Regional Offices
• OAD Projects – evaluation and future directions; impact of COVID-19 and related projects
• Interdisciplinary imperatives: synergies between natural and social sciences for the UN Sustainable Development Goals; OAD Collaboration Gateway
• Reviewing the OAD: Past, present and future of Astronomy-for-Development
• Synergies between IAU structures (OAD, OAO, OYA, OAE, IAU Divisions, etc)

List of Invited Speakers (Tentative)

• Olayinka Fagbemiro (Astronomers without Borders and African Astronomical Society)
• Peter Gluckman (President, International Science Council)
• Ian Corbett (Convenor of OAD Review Panel 2021)
• Hyung Mok Lee (Korea Astronomy and Space science Institute)
• Ewine van Dishoeck (IAU past president)