BUILDING FROM IYA 2009 ASTRONOMY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD: Motivation for decadal strategic plan Why is astronomy important for development? Present state of world astronomy development Present global astronomy development activities IAU Draft Decadal Plan Vision and goals Strategy Implementation and funding George Miley, Leiden University IAU Executive Committee Portfolio – Development and Education

MOTIVATION FOR DECADAL PLAN Fostering astronomy in developing countries is important part of IAU mission –Educational activities of Commission 46 –IYA Continue momentum of IYA and relevant cornerstone programs –The Universe- yours to discover Rationalise coordinate and expand existing Commission 46 activities –Much achieved already with volunteers and relatively meager resources –Considerable potential for expansion Exploit new opportunities in development and education –Internet, archives etc. Prerequisite to external fund-raising –Needs credible plan with well-grounded justification

ROAD TO STRATEGIC PLAN 15 – 17 May 2007 –IAU EC decides to develop plan 28 – 30 January 2008 –Brainstorm of stakeholders at IAU HQ Reps of IAU and complementary global astronomy development programs Rest of 2008 –Drafts and feedback 7 April 2009 –Version approved by IAU EC August 2009 –Resolutions of endorsement by IAU GA Fostering astronomy in developing countries is important part of IAU mission –Access to knowledge about the Universe is birth right –Dissemination of astronomical knowledge is important task of IAU Continue momentum of IYA and relevant cornerstone programs –The Universe- Yours to discover Exploit new opportunities in development and education Prerequisite to external fund-raising Rationalise and coordinate diverse Commission 46 activities

TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS SCIENCE AND RESEARCH CULTURE AND SOCIETY IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

ASTRONOMY TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS SCIENCE AND RESEARCH CULTURE AND SOCIETY IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

ASTRONOMY OPTICS High-precision adaptive optics COMPUTERS Fastest hardware Complex software ELECTRONICS Most sensitive detectors Fastest clocks SPACE Satellites Miniaturization Precision PHYSICS Laboratory of extremes Making heavy elements CHEMISTRY Producing organic molecules BIOLOGY Building blocks of life MATHEM- ATICS Abstract thought INSPIRATION Career in science and technology ANTHRO- POLOGY Ancient civilizations Our roots HISTORY Evolution of Universe Our roots PERSPECTIVE IMMENSITY OF UNIVERSE Tolerance and global citizenship TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS SCIENCE AND RESEARCH CULTURE AND SOCIETY RATIONALE FOR ASTRONOMY

ASTRONOMY AS SCIENCE Inexpensive laboratories for studying laws of physics under extreme conditions: –Largest energies (~ erg). –Largest densities kg/m3. –Most tenuous vacuum –Largest sizes > 10 million light years Frontier science do-able from anywhere in world

RATIONALE OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR ASTRONOMY 1996 DACST white paper on science & technology –Goals: Improved and sustainable quality of life for all Competitive economy Democratic culture The role of pure science within the new democracy: –“Scientific endeavour is not purely utilitarian in its objectives and has important associated cultural and social values. It is important to maintain a basic science competence in ‘flagship’ sciences such as physics and astronomy for cultural reasons. Not to offer them would be to take a negative view of our future – the view that we are a second- class nation, chained forever to the treadmill of feeding and clothing ourselves”

ASTRONOMY AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASTRONOMY Primary Education Secondary Education Tertiary Education Science public outreach Research Excites Stimulates imagination Introduces science Inspires Gateway to sciences Stimulates career in science and engineering Analytic skills Work in international teams Preparation for careers in technology & management Most approachable science Wide interest Inexpensive entry to visible world-class research and cutting-edge technology

STAGES OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT Country classification – made together with John Hearnshaw Developed Group 1A 4 IAU Members per million Developed Group 1B IAU members per million Participate in or host front-line facilities Emerging Group IAU members per million Do not yet participate in or host front-line facilities Developing Group 3 Not yet national member of IAU, but > 1 individual IAU members Potential developing Group 4 No astronomers as yet, but well-developed tertiary education Underdeveloped Group 5 No astronomers. Tertiary education not yet well-developed

ASTRONOMY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT Population (million) inhabiting countries in different development stages 2/3 of world population inhabit countries with some developed astronomical research Strong correlation with GDP (as to be expected) Considerable disparity WITHIN some large countries

ASTRONOMY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT Considerable differences between regions Sub-Saharan Africa is least developed No. of countries

GENERAL WORLD EDUCATION STATE Considerable differences between regions Sub-Saharan Africa has most need for education Literacy etc

PRESENT IAU GLOBAL ASTRONOMY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION Commission 46 ( President: Magda Stavinschi) PROGRAM GROUP PURPOSEACTIVITYCHAIR World Wide Development of Astronomy (WWDA) Initial contact with developing country Visits Scientific lectures John Hearnshaw Teaching for Astronomy Development (TAD) Stimulate astronomy education at university level Visits National schools for undergraduates Ed Guinan and Larry Marschall International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA) Stimulate young researchers in developing countries Regional schools for graduate students Jean-Pierre De Greve Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE) (now being set up) Stimulate teachers in developing countries Develop and translate material for teachers. Regional schools for teachers Rosa Ros

COMPLEMENTARY GLOBAL ASTRONOMY ACTIVITIES IN DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Planetaria and small telescopes to developing countries –Japanese Tripod/ODA Program 7 telescopes, 20 planetaria to 22 developing nations Robotic telescope network for education –Las Cumbres Observatory/ Faulkes Telescopes Secondary Education –Hands-On Universe (HoU) (software and research projects) Ages Primary Education – very young children –Universe Awareness (UNAWE) for very young disadvantaged children Ages 4 – 10 –Talk by Carolina Ödman

IAU STRATEGIC PLAN Long-term vision –All countries participate at some level in astronomical research Criteria of Group 1 and 2 countries –Astronomy developed or emerging –All children exposed to some knowledge about astronomy as part of their education Goals for 2010 – 2020 –Raise the level of astronomy in as many countries as possible by one or more category, while maximising the size of the population affected. –Work to include aspects of astronomy in primary and secondary education of as many children as possible

ELEMENTS OF PLAN Integrated STRATEGIC PHASED approach –Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach Mix dependant on stage of development Coordination with complementary programs and amateur astronomer groups Increase regional involvement –Better appreciation of special conditions and closer to the targets –Bottom-up approach Enlarge number of active volunteers –Potential resources ~ 10,000 IAU members (established professional astronomers) –Presently ~ 100 active Postdocs and graduate students Astronomy teachers, educational experts, outreach specialists Amateur astronomers Special role for expatriates

ELEMENTS OF PLAN Integrated STRATEGIC PHASED approach –Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach Increase regional involvement –Better appreciation of special conditions and closer to the targets –Bottom-up approach Enlarge number of active volunteers Initiation of new programs –(Endowed) semi-popular lectureship program Good lecturers Inspirational topics of modern astrophysics –Long-term institute twinning Developed institute provides expertise and advice –e.g. Building astronomy courses/ program at universities At least 1 visit per year to developing department Augmented by exchange program, if possible 5-year commitment to guarantee sustainability IAU would provide seed money

ELEMENTS OF PLAN Use IYA as springboard –Continue, rationalise and stimulate cornerstone projects Developing science globally Galileo teacher training program UNAWE She is an astronomer Galileoscopes Portal to the Universe Other cornerstones where relevant –e.g. 100 hours of astronomy per year –Exploit IYA contacts e.g. SPOCS, Organisational nodes

ELEMENTS OF PLAN Integrated STRATEGIC phased approach –Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach Increase regional involvement –Better appreciation of special conditions and closer to the targets Enlarge number of active volunteers Initiation of new programs –Endowed semi-popular lectureship program –Institute twinning Use IYA as springboard –Continue and stimulate relevant cornerstone projects Exploit new possibilities –Internet –Robotic telescope networks –Archives of large astronomical facilities –Astro-buses

TUNISIAN ASTRO-BUS Innovative activity of La Cité des Sciences, Tunis. Transports small telescope + mini-planetarium + exhibition. Inspiring children throughout Tunisia, even in remotest villages. During 2008 reached > 100,000 children! Idea could be exported to many countries

ELEMENTS OF STRATEGIC PLAN Integrated STRATEGIC phased approach –Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach Increase regional involvement Enlarge number of active volunteers Initiation of new programs Use IYA as springboard –Continue and stimulate cornerstone projects Exploit new possibilities –Internet –Robotic telescope networks –Archives of large astronomical facilities –Astro-buses Creation of small professional IAU Global Development Office (2FTE) for coordination –Essential to facilitate expansion of activities, realise potential and demonstrate professional management for fund givers e.g. IYA, UNAWE –Location TBD (via AO)

ASTRONOMY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD SOME ELEMENTS OF DECADAL PLAN

STAGES OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT Developed Group 1A 4 IAU Members per million Developed Group 1B IAU members per million Participate in or host front-line facilities Emerging Group IAU members per million Do not yet participate in or host front-line facilities Developing Group 3 Not yet national member of IAU, but > 1 individual IAU members Potential developing Group 4 No astronomers as yet, but well-developed tertiary education Underdeveloped Group 5 No astronomers. Tertiary education not yet well-developed TARGET FOR STIMULATING RESEARCH GROWTH TARGET FOR INITIATING RESEARCH GROUPS TARGET FOR STIMULATING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE TASKS INCLUDE: – Management coordination and evaluation of activities – Liaison with regional coordinators and nodes – Liaison with external organisations and programs – Administrative help and information – Pro-active coordination of fund raising – Organisation of oversight

ANNUAL DIRECT COSTS Astronomy for universities and research Visits Training schools Institute twinning € 300,000 Astronomy for SchoolsTraining schools€ 100,000 Public outreachEndowed lectures€ 100,000 5 regional node institutes 5 x € 30,000€ 150,000 Regional coordinator support 5 x € 15,000€ 75,000 IAU Global development office Director Administrative assistant € 250,000

COMMITMENT BY IAU IAU BUDGET FOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES %17% € 144,000 annually

HOW TO OBTAIN FUNDING? ~ € 1M per year needed for IAU programs and coordination Larger amount (> € 10M) needed for complementary programs (primary, secondary education) –Ambitious but feasible goal for decade as whole Small voluntary levy on astronomical projects and institutes in developed countries (~0.7%?) (Voluntary?) “development levy on IAU membership dues In-kind contributions from host institutes International and national foundations Multinational companies operating in developing countries International and regional development agencies

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN Flexibly –In step with available funding Establishment of GDO has priority –Fund-raising and coordination

CONCLUSIONS IAU Strategic Plan will build on IYA success and continue IYA momentum Astronomy can be important tool for sustainable international development Considerable potential for expanding global astronomy development activities Plan for substantial expansion during next decade, funding permitting Funding feasible on the decadal timescale Mutually beneficial to society AND astronomy IYA > ICA THE INTERNATIONAL CENTURY FOR ASTRONOMY

ADDITIONAL SP DISCUSSIONS DURING GA Presentation and discussion of SP (SpS4) –Town hall meeting 7 August – –SpS410 August 11 am – pm NASL Lunch –11 August 12 noon – 2 pm Tickets from 10 am 7 Aug (IAU Office) Closing Business Meeting –Resolutions of endorsement Plan will be flexible and evolve in step with funding – –Feedback Subject: “strategic plan”