Washington Charter Progress Dennis Crabtree NRC-HIA

The Washington Charter has its origins in the "Communicating Astronomy to the Public" conference held at the US National Academy of Sciences in early October, The Charter outlines "Principles of Action" for individuals and organizations that conduct astronomical research, who "have a compelling obligation to communicate their results and efforts with the public for the benefit of all".

Astronomical Society of Australia European Astronomical Society British Astronomical Association Royal Astronomical Society Canadian Astronomical Society The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, Commission 19 (Astrophysics) Danish National Committee (Astronomisk Udvalg) Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Particle Physics and Astronomical Research Council (PPARC)

Noticeably missing is the American Astronomical Society (AAS)! AAS has declined to endorse the Charter  Executive Committee agrees wholeheartedly with the spirit of the Washington Charter  Concerns over some of the language  Charter broadly asks funding agencies, institutions, etc. to undertake an “unfunded mandate”  broad call for an outreach component associated with every activity in astronomy  AAS felt that not every individual, department, program, or institution should necessarily be involved in outreach

How to Proceed? AAS endorsement is seen as important Rick Feinberg proposed a modified document – softened the language – kept the spirit of the Charter AAS Council did not have time to consider this at their last meeting IAU WG approached original group that drafted the Charter to request “ownership” be transferred Original group agreed that the IAU WG is the group with the appropriate mandate to carry the Charter forward

Goals for the next year Continue efforts to have Charter endorsed by more –P rofessional societies –Funding agencies –Astronomy departments –‘High profile’ individual astronomers? Interested parties can help by approaching entities in their own locale/countries