1. IYA 2009 – a status report Finland, February 2007 IYA-ESO meeting Garching 3 – 4 March 2007 Tapio Markkanen, University of Helsinki, Observatory. tapio.markkanen@helsinki.fi tapio.markkanen@helsinki.fi Markku Sarimaa, Ursa Astronomical Association, Helsinki, markku.sarimaa@ursa.fimarkku.sarimaa@ursa.fi Walter Rydman, Ursa Astronomical Association, Helsinki, walter.rydman@ursa.fiwalter.rydman@ursa.fi IYA 2009 – a Status Report from Finland, February 2007 ESO, Garching 3 – 4 March 2007 Tapio Markkanen, Markku Sarimaa and Walter Rydman, IYA 2009 Working Group, Helsinki

2. The IYA Working Group strategy Mission: Communicating astronomy to general public, especially to young people All relevant parties engaged Actions based on tested experience

3. Paved roads of public information put in use Books and articles Lecture series, programmes in radio and television, planetariums Learning material for schools Science weeks, exhibitions and other special events Web pages

4. National and international networks Finnish astronomical association Ursa Local societies with observatories (36)

5. Innovations Helsinki Metro as a Solar System model, an interdisciplinary project between science and arts International observation campaigns: partners along the meridian, South Africa – Finland Innovations Helsinki metro as a Solar System model: an interdisciplinary project between science and arts International observation campaigns: partners along the meridian: South Africa and Finland

6. Thank you