Ref.

Ares(2018)1499044 - 19/03/2018

Deliverable 8.1
Final Report on Work Package 8

George Miley, Leiden University

Wouter Schrier, Leiden University
Pedro Russo, Leiden University

This project is funded by the Horizon 2020

Framework Programme of the European Union
Project’s acronym EUSPACE-AWE
Contract Number 638653
Project Coordinator organisation name Leiden University
Starting date of Space Awareness 01.03.2015
Project duration 36M
Deliverable number and title D8.1 Final Report on Work Package 8
Responsible partner Wouter Schrier, Project Manager, Leiden University,
schrier@strw.leidenuniv.nl
Contributions from partners George Miley, Leiden university, miley@strw.leidenuniv.nl
Pedro Russo, Leiden University, russo@strw.leidenuniv.nl
Due date of deliverable M36
Completion date of deliverable M36
Dissemination level public

EU Space Awareness is funded by the European Union within the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme,
H2020 – COMPET – 2014 under the Grant Agreement 638653.

Copyright
This Document has been created within the H2020 project EUSPACE-AWE. The utilization and release of this document
is subject to the conditions of the contract within the H2020 EU Framework Programme. Grant Agreement 638653.

2
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
Publishable summary

This report outlines the main achievements of the EUSPACE-AWE sustainability efforts, as were
executed within Work Package 8. An important objective of the EUSPACE-AWE project was to
work towards the long-term sustainability of a pan-European inclusive network that will:
• Continue EUSPACE-AWE’s work and coordinate the various European initiatives in the use of
space sciences and technology for education and outreach to children and teenagers (Activity
18 of the proposal).
• Help build the scientific and technological capacity of developing countries, particularly in
Africa as mandated by Written Declaration 45/2011 of the European Parliament and included
in Objective 3 of the proposal.

Actions to accomplish these goals are encapsulated in Work Package 8. The most important
achievements in this Work Package category were:
1. The addition of space education and outreach to the H2020 Space Work Programme 2018 -
2020. Although entirely absent from the early drafts, the amount of 2M Euro was reserved
for such activities in the final version of the Space Work Programme published in the
summer of 2017 (DT-SPACE-08-BIZ-2018) as a direct result of our intensive lobbying
activities.
2. The published Education and Outreach Call in the H2020 Space Work Programme 2018 -
2020 included an investigation of the feasibility of a possible dedicated Knowledge and
Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Innovation Institute of Technology (EIT)
specifically dedicated to Space. The establishment of such a KIC could result in the
establishment of a sustainable structure for hosting a European space education and
outreach network. This is a long-term ambition of EU Space Awareness, included in our
proposal and stressed during our lobbying activities.
3. The signing of an agreement between Leiden University, the European Astronomical
Society, the International astronomical Union and the IAU Office of Astronomy for
Development in Cape Town to set up the European IAU Regional Office of Astronomy for
Development (ROAD). The establishment of the European ROAD contributes both to the
sustainability of projects such as Space Awareness, to building global partnerships in the
area of space and to laying the groundwork for the setting up of a possible dedicated
Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Innovation Institute of
Technology (EIT) dedicated to Space.

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EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
Table of Contents
Publishable summary ...................................................................................................................... 3
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6
2. Sustaining a space education and outreach network in Europe ................................................... 6
3. Supporting to build the scientific and technological capacity of developing countries, particularly
in Africa .......................................................................................................................................... 9
4. Embedding European space education and outreach into a global network .............................. 11

4
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
 5
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
1. Introduction
An important objective of the EUSPACE-AWE project is to work towards the long-term
sustainability of a pan-European inclusive network that will:
• Continue EUSPACE-AWE’s work and coordinate the various European initiatives in the use of
space sciences and technology for education and outreach to children and teenagers (Activity
18 of the proposal).
• Help build the scientific and technological capacity of developing countries, particularly in
Africa as mandated by Written Declaration 45/2011 of the European Parliament and included
in Objective 3 of the proposal.

Actions to accomplish these goals are encapsulated in Work Package 8.

2. Sustaining a space education and outreach network in Europe

Communicating the success of space-oriented educational programmes is important for capturing

the attention of stakeholders, including policy makers that would not normally be interested in
European space activities. Lobbying the European Parliament and the European Commission to
further the sustainability of space education and outreach has therefore been a crucial deliverable
of the EUSPACE-AWE project from the outset. The project activities included attendance at
stakeholders’ meetings at EU level, namely: EU Space Programme Stakeholders workshop (27 - 28
September 2016) and Science & Policy-making event (29 - 30 September 2016) at the European
Commission.
On 25 February 2016 discussions took place with ISC Intelligence to plan the organisation of
lobbying Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during 2016 and an event in Parliament
during 2017. ISC Intelligence is the company that was contracted by Leiden University (UL) to
support the lobbying efforts of the project. The importance of these lobbying activities increased
dramatically in February 2017, when our consortium received a draft outline for the H2020 Space
Work Programme 2018-2020. This contained no mention of any Calls for education and/or
outreach activities.

After “crisis discussions” within our consortium and with ISC Intelligence, it was decided to take
the following actions to help ensure the sustainability of the Commission Space Education and
Outreach initiatives through the HORIZON 2020 Space Work Programme 2018 – 2020:

• Send letters to Commissioner Ms. Elżbieta Bieńkowska, the Director-General (DG) for Internal
Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs and Mr. Philippe Brunet, Director for Space Policy,
Copernicus and Defence with the rationale for including calls on space education and outreach;
• Inform relevant MEPs in writing and discuss the issue during the bilateral meetings with
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during March - April 2017, see below;
• Inform members of the H2020 Space Programme Committee;
• Approach the European Commission by working at a national level in through contacts between
UL and the Netherlands Space Office. To this end a position paper was submitted in April 2016

6
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
 via the Netherlands Space Office that proposed the inclusion of the thematic area Space
Outreach in the H2020 Space Work Programme 2018-2020. We suggested that the work
programme should exploit, reinforce and build upon the accomplishments of previous EC space
science education and outreach calls. Lobbying members of the Programme Committee
resulted in active support for including Education and Outreach in the revised Space Work
Programme by Committee Members from at least Israel, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Following discussions with ISC Intelligence, it was resolved to conduct an intensive lobbying
campaign about this issue with MEPs, including letters, bilateral meetings and an event at the
European Parliament during late 2017. A letter outlining the issue was written and distributed to
41 MEPs from 12 different countries, as listed in Table 1. Recipients were MEPs who attended the
9th Conference on European Space Policy held in Brussels on 24-25 January 2017 and members
from relevant related influential committees such as the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
Committee and the “Sky & Space” Intergroup.

Guy Verhofstad, Belgium Evžen Tošenovský, Czech Republic Jean Arthuis, France
Chair, ALDE group ITRE Committee Chair, BUDG Committee
Dominique Riquet, France Tokia Saïfi, France, Françoise Grossetête, France
Vice-Chair, TRAN Committee Vice-Chair, INTA Committee ENVI Committee
Franck Proust, France Anne Sander, France Manfred Weber, Germany
Vice-Chair, “Sky & Space” EMPL Committee Chair, EPP group
Intergroup
Michael Cramer, Germany Elmar Brok, Germany Monika Hohlmeier, Germany
TRAN Committee Chair, AFET Committee Chair,“Sky & Space” Intergroup
Christian Ehler, Germany Angelika Niebler, Germany Herbert Reul, Germany
Vice-Chair, SEDE Subcommittee ITRE Committee ITRE Committee
Andreas Schwab, Germany Gianni Pittella, Italy Giovanni La Via, Italy
ITRE Committee Chair, S&D group Chair, ENVI Committee
Salvatore Pogliese, Italy Massimiliano Salini, Italy Flavio Zanonato, Italy
TRAN Committee TRAN Committee ITRE Committee
David Borelli, Italy Claude Turmes, Luxembourg Cora van Nieuwenhuizen,
ITRE Committee ITRE Committee Netherlands, ITRE Committee
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Esther de Lange, Netherlands Sean Kelly, Ireland
Netherlands ITRE Committee ITRE Committee
ITRE Committee
Paul Tang, Netherlands Jerzy Buzek, Poland Anna Fotyga, Poland
ITRE Committee Chair, ITRE Committee Chair, SEDE Sub-committee
Czesław Adam Siekierski, Bogdan Zdrojewski, Poland Marisa Matias, Portugal
Poland Chair, AGRI Committee SEDE Sub-committee ITRE Committee
Marian-Jean Marinescu, Inés Ayala Sender, Spain Soledad Cabezón Ruiz, Spain
Romania Vice-Chair, “Sky & Space” ITRE Committee
TRAN Committee Intergroup
Syed Kamall, UK Jacqueline Foster, UK Clare Moody, UK
Chair, ECR group Vice-Chair “Sky & Space” ITRE Committee
Intergroup
Alyn Smith, UK Jill Evans, UK

Table 1 - List of MEPs that were lobbied by the EUSPACE-AWE Project

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EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
After sending letters to MEPs, several members of the EUPSPACE-AWE consortium spent extended
time at the European Parliament and secured useful bilateral meetings with several influential
MEPs (Table 2). As a briefing document for this meeting a policy document on “Why Space
Education and Outreach is important for Europe” was prepared by UL and distributed to the MEPs.
This policy document argued that the relatively small previous investment of the Commission in
such programmes has been extremely effective in increasing the public support for the European
space programme and in communicating several unique socially-beneficial aspects of Europe's
expenditure on space to a wide range of stakeholders. It also suggested that discontinuing the
support to these initiatives threatens to destroy the legacy of EC-funded accomplishments.

Personal Discussions with MEPs or their assistants Date EU Space Awareness

Involvement
Ms Clare Moody (UK) November 2016 EUN
Ms Inés Ayala Sender (Spain) 21 March 2017 Prof. G. Miley (IRL/NL)
Mr Marian-Jean Marinescu (Romania) Ms. Ana Noronha (PT)
Mr, Massimiliano Salini (Italy) Mr. Jorge Rivero Gonzalez
Mr. Elmer Brock (Germany) (ES)
Ms. Jacqueline Foster (UK) Ms. Audrey Korczynska (FR)
Ms. Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Netherlands 12 April 2017 Dr. Pedro Russo (PT)

Table 2 - Face-to-face lobbying with MEPs

The project also organised a high-impact Space Awareness dinner-debate at the European
Parliament on 22 November 2017 hosted by Ms Cora van Nieuwenhuizen MEP. This event would
have been held in the Members Salon of the Aliero Spinelli Building, and would discuss the role of
Education and Public Engagement initiatives in the framework of the Space Strategy for Europe
and provide recommendations for future EU Framework Programmes. Unfortunately, this event
had to be cancelled abruptly when Ms. Van Nieuwenhuizen was appointed to be a Minister in the
new Dutch government. It was decided instead to hold a closing Space Awareness event on 27
February 2018 in the presence of the South African Minister of Science and Technology, Her
Excellency Professor Naledi Pandor (see Section 4).

Although the various intensive lobbying campaigns outlined above were time consuming and
labour consuming for the project, they achieved considerable success. Accomplishments include:
• The addition of space education and outreach to the H2020 Space Work Programme 2018 -
2020. Although such projects were entirely absent from the early drafts, the amount of 2M
Euro was reserved for outreach in the final version of the Space Work Programme published
in the summer of 2017 (DT-SPACE-08-BIZ-2018) and we believe that this is a direct result of
our lobbying activities.
• The published Education and Outreach Call in the H2020 Space Work Programme 2018 – 2020
also included an investigation of the feasibility of a possible dedicated Knowledge and
Innovation Community (KIC) of the European Innovation Institute of Technology (EIT)
specifically dedicated to Space. This is very relevant for the Space Awareness Sustainability
Work Package. The establishment of such a KIC could result in the establishment of a
sustainable structure for hosting a European space education and outreach network. This is a

8
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
 long-term ambition of EUSPACE-AWE, included in our proposal and stressed during our
lobbying activities.

Among the joint actions planned were the participation of the Space Awareness project on the
policy session that Europlanet had organised at the European Week of Astronomy and Space
Science (EWASS) on June 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic as well as the participation at the Dinner
Debate that was organised at the European Parliament on 22 November 2017. The latter
unfortunately had to be cancelled because the host MEP had been appointed to be a Minister in
the Dutch government.

3. Supporting to build the scientific and technological capacity of developing

countries, particularly in Africa

A number of events were organised by the EUSPACE-AWE project in developing countries to
facilitate the global distribution of EUSPACE-AWE resources by our OAD partner that coordinates
the International Astronomical Union Astronomy for Development network and to foster long-
term sustainability further. See Table 3 and, for more details, Deliverable 8.2. The EUSPACE-AWE
project was given high visibility in several talks attended by high-level policy makers, teachers and
students. The groundwork was laid for formal European involvement in the global Astronomy for
Development network.

Event Date Place Description of

Actions
International Conference on Research 3 – 5 October Cape Town, Talk by co-PI Miley
Infrastructures 2016 South Africa Discussions about
possible European IAU
Regional Office of
Astronomy for
Development
4th Middle East and African Regional 22 – 25 May Addis Ababa, Discussions about
International Astronomical Union Meeting 2017 Ethiopia global dissemination of
EUSPACE-AWE
materials
Science for Development Seminar 27 September Permanent Talk by co-PI Miley
2017 Representation Stakeholders present
of Ireland to the included Ambassador
EU, Brussels Hackett and Brian
Hayes MEP
International Space Awareness Workshop 7 October Addis Ababa, Stakeholders present
organised jointly by EU Space Awareness, 2017 Ethiopia included the Ethiopian
Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Minister of Science and
Institute and East African IAU Regional Technology, teachers
Office of Astronomy for Development and students.
(Deliverable 8.2)
Table 3 - Space Awareness and Events in Developing Countries

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EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
The EUSPACE-AWE High-Level Workshop and Teachers workshop were held on October 7, 2017 at
the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event was held
during World Space Week, the largest public space event on Earth, to benefit from its associated
publicity. It was organised by the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for
Development (IAU OAD, one of the partners in the EUSPACE-AWE project), the Ethiopian Space
Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and the Ethiopian Regional Office of Astronomy for
Development.

The event introduced the EUSPACE-AWE project and its resources to astronomers, outreach
professionals, policy stakeholders, teachers and students from the region. The aim of the event
was to present the EUSPACE-AWE project to relevant space education stakeholders in Africa, and
engage in a discussion on how these resources can be adapted and utilised in African countries,
especially in light of needs of the capacity building, which were identified in the African Union’s
African Space Strategy and Policy. The workshop was launched by His Excellency, the Ethiopian
State Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Afework Kassu. There was a total of 73
participants including staff from the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI),
Ministry of Science and Technology, OAD regional coordinators from West, East and Southern
Africa, researchers from universities, representatives from African Union and Europlanet project,
Ethiopian teachers and students, as well as outreach professionals.

The workshop brought together stakeholders for an engaged dialogue on using space topics for
education and outreach in African countries in order to attract young people to science and
technology and create awareness of African contributions in international and national space and
astronomy projects. Discussions built on the work of the EUSPACE-AWE project that uses the
excitement of space and astronomy to stimulate interest of the youth in science and technology
and to kindle a spirit of global citizenship. The discussions were preceded by a teachers’ workshop
in the morning where local teachers had the opportunity to explore best practices and innovative
uses of astronomy and space sciences for education.

EUSPACE-AWE has developed hundreds of space-related educational resources and activities in

addition to training teachers. The use of such resources and actions have the potential to
contribute in achieving the goals of building indigenous human capacity for high technology
projects in Africa. Workshop participants agreed that space education, outreach and training could
play a role in stimulating capacity building in Africa and that EUSPACE-AWE resources can be used
in classroom settings in Africa. It was recommended that EUSPACE-AWE resources be enhanced
with local content and that the Regional Offices of Astronomy for Development explore the
localisation and dissemination of EUSPACE-AWE resources in East, West and Southern Africa, as
well as the Arab World, coordinating regional networks of stakeholders where applicable. The
main outcome of the Workshop was the development of a document including the
aforementioned recommendations that will be followed-up with representatives of the African
Union engaged in the Space Sector. Further information about the workshop is given in the
detailed report (Deliverable 8.2).

10
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
4. Embedding European space education and outreach into a global network

The various sustainability actions described above culminated with actions on 26 and 27 February
2018 at the conclusion of the EUSPACE-AWE project.

Figure 1 - Ceremonial signing of agreement for the IAU European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development.
From Left: Prof. H. Rottgering, Director, Leiden Observatory, Dr. V. McBride, Acting Director Global OAD, Prof. P.
Benvenuti, General Secretary IAU, South African Minister Pandor, Prof. G. Prof. de Snoo, Dean Faculty of Sciences,
Leiden University, co-PI Prof. G. Miley. Prof. R. Davies, President European Astronomical Society, co-PI Dr. P. Russo

On 26 February 2018 an agreement was signed between Leiden University, the European
Astronomical Society, the International Astronomical Union and the IAU Office of Astronomy for
Development in Cape Town to set up the European IAU Regional Office of Astronomy for
Development. The ceremony was conducted at Leiden University in the presence of Her Excellency
Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology of the Republic of South Africa
and after her ceremonial address as honorary visiting Oort Professor of Astronomy for
Development. The event was planned and organised by the Space Awareness co-PIs Miley and
Russo of UL and received considerable publicity. Attendees included various ambassadors and
policy makers, including the Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Mr. Robert Jan Smits.

In 2011 the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established the global Office of Astronomy for
Development (OAD) in Cape Town, South Africa, in partnership with the South African National
Research Foundation and Department of Science and Technology. As of 2018 the OAD has
supported 122 astronomy-for-development projects reaching over 85 countries. Part of the
mandate of this global office was the establishment of regional offices around the world, which
would focus on a particular language or cultural region.

11
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
The European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (ROAD) joins eight other regional
nodes, based in Armenia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Nigeria, Thailand and Zambia
respectively. The proposed European ROAD will have the following mission:
1. The use of astronomy and space to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in
Europe. This is particularly relevant for achieving Goals 4 (Education), 5 (Gender Equality),
9 (Innovation), 16 (Peaceful and inclusive societies) and 17 (International partnerships for
development).
2. Implementation within Europe of the IAU Strategic Plan on Astronomy for Development,
without duplicating relevant activities of pan-European organisations, such as ESA and ESO.
3. Mobilising resources within Europe for the implementation of the IAU Strategic Plan.

The establishment of the European ROAD contributes both to the sustainability of projects such as
EUSPACE-AWE, to building global partnerships in the area of space and to laying the groundwork
for the setting up of a possible dedicated Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the
European Innovation Institute of Technology (EIT) dedicated to Space.

Figure 2 - South African Minister Prof. Naledi Pandor giving her keynote lecture at the EU Space Awareness Closing
Symposium on Science Diplomacy and International Development in the Hague on 27 February 2018.

On 27 February 2018 EUSPACE-AWE co-sponsored a symposium on Science Diplomacy and

International Development at the Leiden University Campus in The Hague to mark the closing of
the project. The keynote lecture on Science Diplomacy and the Square Kilometre Array was given
by South African Minister of Science and Development, Professor Naledi Pandor. Her central
thesis was that science and technology cooperation should be close to the centre of international

12
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
development cooperation activities. Science and technology underpin the modernisation and
development of any national socio-economic and industrial systems, and international
cooperation in this field will therefore contribute directly to national (or regional) development.

Her second important – political and diplomatic – is that cooperation in the field of science and
technology is often regarded as less politically charged than cooperation in other fields such as
politics, trade, defence, or agriculture. Science provides a field of human endeavour in which it is
much less complex to find joint and common interest, which must always underpin international
cooperation. Hence, cooperation in this domain provides not only alternative paths to more
traditional diplomatic engagement, but also provides alternative fields for diplomatic engagement
where the more traditional modes or fields may be temporarily ineffective.

We regard this high-impact symposium with such an inspiring speaker as providing a fitting
conclusion to the EU Space Awareness project.

13
EUSPACE-AWE – D8.1 - Final Report on Work Package 8
 Deliverable 8.2
Workshop Report
Wouter Schrier, Leiden University

This project is funded by the Horizon 2020

Framework Programme of the European Union
Project’s acronym EUSPACE-AWE
Contract Number 638653
Project Coordinator organisation Leiden University
name
Starting date of Space Awareness 01.03.2015
Project duration 36M
Deliverable number and title D8.2 Workshop Report
Responsible partner Wouter Schrier, Project Manager, Leiden University,
schrier@strw.leidenuniv.nl

Contributions from partners Ramasamy Venugopal, Project Manager, IAU Office of

Astronomy for Development, rv@astro4dev.org

Due date of deliverable M30

Completion date of deliverable M34
Dissemination level Public

EU Space Awareness is funded by the European Union within the Horizon 2020 Framework
Programme,
H2020 – COMPET – 2014 under the Grant Agreement 638653.

Copyright
This Document has been created within the H2020 project EUSPACE-AWE. The utilization and
release of this document is subject to the conditions of the contract within the H2020 EU
Framework Programme. Grant Agreement 638653.

2 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

Publishable summary

The EU Space Awareness (EUSPACE-AWE) High-Level Workshop and Teachers workshop were held
on October 7, 2017 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. The event was held during World Space Week, the largest public space event on Earth, to
benefit from its associated publicity. It was organised by the International Astronomical Union’s
Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD, one of the partners in the EUSPACE-AWE
project), the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and the Ethiopian Regional
Office of Astronomy for Development.

The event introduced the EUSPACE-AWE project and its resources to astronomers, outreach
professionals, policy stakeholders, teachers and students from the region. The aim of the event
was to present the EUSPACE-AWE project to relevant space education stakeholders in Africa, and
engage in a discussion on how these resources can be adapted and utilised in African countries,
especially in light of needs of the capacity building, which were identified in the African Union’s
African Space Strategy and Policy. The workshop was launched by His Excellency, the Ethiopian
State Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Afework Kassu. There was a total of 73
participants including staff from the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI),
Ministry of Science and Technology, OAD regional coordinators from West, East and Southern
Africa, researchers from universities, representatives from African Union and Europlanet project,
Ethiopian teachers and students, as well as outreach professionals.

The workshop brought together stakeholders for an engaged dialogue on using space topics for
education and outreach in African countries in order to attract young people to science and
technology and create awareness of African contributions in international and national space and
astronomy projects. Discussions built on the work of the EUSPACE-AWE project that uses the
excitement of space and astronomy to stimulate interest of the youth in science and technology
and to kindle a spirit of global citizenship. The discussions were preceded by a teachers’ workshop
in the morning where local teachers had the opportunity to explore best practices and innovative
uses of astronomy and space sciences for education.

EUSPACE-AWE has developed hundreds of space-related teaching resources and activities in

addition to training teachers. The use of such resources and actions have the potential to
contribute in achieving the goals of building indigenous human capacity for high technology
projects in Africa. Workshop participants agreed that space education, outreach and training could
play a role in stimulating capacity building in Africa and that EUSPACE-AWE resources can be used
in classroom settings in Africa. It was recommended that EUSPACE-AWE resources be enhanced
with local content and that the Regional Offices of Astronomy for Development explore the
localisation and dissemination of EUSPACE-AWE resources in East, West and Southern Africa, as
well as the Arab World, coordinating regional networks of stakeholders where applicable. The
main outcome of the Workshop was the development of a document including the
aforementioned recommendations that will be followed-up with representatives of the African
Union engaged in the Space Sector.

3 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

Table of contents

Publishable summary 3

1. Introduction 5

2. Aims 5

3. Invited Participants 5

4. Logistics 6

5. Communication Actions 7

6. Programme 7
Teachers Workshop 7
High-level workshop 7

7. Outcomes 8
Teachers Workshop 8
High-level workshop 8

8. Conclusion 9

ANNEX 1 - PROGRAMME 10

ANNEX 2 - LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 11

ANNEX 3 - Speech by His Excellency, the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and Technology,
Prof. Afework Kassu 15

ANNEX 4 - RECOMMENDATIONS 16

4 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

1. Introduction

The EUSPACE-AWE Project uses the excitement of space to attract young people to science and
technology and to stimulate global citizenship. The main goal of the project is to increase the
number of young people that choose space-related careers, both in Europe and globally.

On the African continent, space has been identified, in the recently approved African Space
Strategy, as an important tool “in assisting evidence-based policy-making and therefore expected
to have a significant impact in achieving the sustainable development goals”. The African Union
has also established the goal of building indigenous capacity in space science and technology to
bring the aforementioned benefits to fruition. Space and astronomy are major enablers for
stimulating the interest of African youth in science and technology and thus building capacity.

The EUSPACE-AWE workshop was held on October 7, 2017, at the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, to showcase the potential benefits of space, and in
particular the EUSPACE-AWE project, to the African Union’s capacity building efforts. The event
consisted of a teachers workshop in the morning, attended by local teachers as well as students
from Addis Ababa, followed by a high-level workshop in the afternoon. 73 participants in total
attended the afternoon session to discuss how to optimize the impact of these resources in order
to enhance education programmes as well as to help build the scientific and technological capacity
across the African continent. The results of these discussions have been formulated into
recommendations that will be followed up with the African Union and other interested
stakeholders.

2. Aims

1. To present the EUSPACE-AWE project and its resources to relevant space education
stakeholders in Africa.
2. To engage education stakeholders in a discussion of these resources and establish a
network of interested parties.
3. To determine how such resources and related training activities can be best used and
expanded on the African continent.
4. To promote distribution and localisation of EUSPACE-AWE resources in the African context.

3. Invited Participants

In total, there were 73 participants in this event (please refer to Annex 2 for a detailed list of all
participants). Among the invited guests were:
● His Excellency, the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Afework
Kassu
● Dr. Mahama Ouedraogo, Acting Director for Human resources, science and technology
department, African Union Commission
● Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, space science expert and Coordinator for Global Monitoring for
Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa

5 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

 ● Director of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI), Dr. Solomon
Tessema
● Staff of Ministry of Science and Technology
● European Union representative in Addis Ababa
● Embassy of the United States of America in Ethiopia
● Embassy of India in Ethiopia
● Researchers from the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute
● Researchers from Addis Ababa University
● Representative of Europlanet, Barbara Cavalazzi
● Coordinator of IAU Regional Office of Astronomy for Development for Southern Africa,
Prospery Simpemba
● Coordinator of IAU Regional Office of Astronomy for Development for West Africa, Dr.
Bonaventure Okere
● Coordinator of IAU Regional Office of Astronomy for Development for East Africa, Alemiye
Mamo
● Coordinator of IAU Regional Office of Astronomy for Development for Arab World, Dr.
Ibrahim Albaddawi
● Members of the Ethiopian Space Science Society
● Members of the Space Generation Advisory Council under the United Nations Programme
on Space Applications
● Science teachers and students from Bole preparatory school, Minilik preparatory school,
Ethio parent school, Yehmdar family school, Cruise school, Lideta catholic cathedral school,
Nazareth school
● Coordinators of space-related clubs from Ethiopia

The event was coordinated by:

● Project Manager of EUSPACE-AWE, Jorge Rivero González
● Director of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), Kevin Govender
● Project Manager of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), Ramasamy
Venugopal
● Staff of ESSTI

4. Logistics

The event was held at the conference centre of the United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UN ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There was no registration fee for the event. For the
participants from OAD, its Regional Offices and EUSPACE-AWE, all costs for travel and
accommodation were paid from the EUSPACE-AWE grant. All other participants paid for their own
travel. Lunch and dinner were provided for all participants.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) handled all the logistics, such as visa arrangements for
foreign participants, hiring of venue, accommodation for delegates, catering services during the
event and local transport. The LOC team was comprised of staff members from the East African
Regional Office and the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute.

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5. Communication Actions

The event was held during World Space Week 2017 to take advantage of the publicity surrounding
space week celebrations. Although participation to both the teachers workshop and the high-level
event were by invitation only, the event was promoted, locally in Ethiopia as part of space week
celebrations and internationally by the OAD and EUSPACE-AWE teams. Specifically, the OAD
advertised the event through its website, social media (Facebook and Twitter accounts) as well as
through its Regional Offices. It was also promoted through the social media channels of EUSPACE-
AWE. An invitation card was also designed and printed for the event.

In preparation for the workshop, the teams in Leiden and OAD put together a booklet of selected
EUSPACE-AWE resources. A hundred copies of the booklet were printed and distributed to
participants at the workshop as well as provided to the Regional Offices for further distribution.
The EUSPACE-AWE Careers Booklet was also developed in time for the event. Teachers at the
workshop were provided the resources booklet, space careers booklet, and other promotional
materials from EUSPACE-AWE.

The presence of the State Minister of Science and Technology ensured that the event received
press coverage in Ethiopia. Several student posters were displayed during the coffee breaks which
was also of interest to the media. A record of the event, materials presented and the outcomes is
available on the OAD website at: http://www.astro4dev.org/blog/2017/09/25/space-awareness-
workshop/

6. Programme

The event consisted of a Teachers workshop in the morning and a High-level workshop in the
afternoon.

Teachers Workshop:
The teachers workshop was attended by 39 local teachers from Addis Ababa as well as members
of space and astronomy clubs and outreach community members. The EUSPACE-AWE project
manager, Jorge Rivero González, introduced the project and the importance of using space for
education. He described in detail one of the activities from the EUSPACE-AWE resource materials:
Blue marble in empty space. He also talked about the Space Careers booklet which provides
information to students on possible careers available in the space field. Finally, he provided
information on various ways that EUSPACE-AWE supports teachers, through training, Massive
Online Open Courses (MOOC), and workshops.

The session was followed by a brief discussion with the teachers about EUSPACE-AWE and its
resources. The main outcomes of the discussions are captured in the Outcomes section.

High-level workshop:
The afternoon session was launched by His Excellency, the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and
Technology, Prof. Afework Kassu. It was attended by Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, African Union

7 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

Commission Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, Dr. Solomon Tessema,
Director of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI), Dr. Barbara Cavalazzi,
Europlanet, staff of Ministry of Science and Technology, OAD Regional Office coordinators from
West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and Arab region as well as researchers from the Ethiopian
Biotechnology Institute, Addis Ababa University, teachers and students from the morning session.
In total, there were 73 participants for the high-level workshop.

The Minister expressed that space topics hold universal appeal and that space education and
outreach can play an important role in stimulating the interest of African youth in science and
technology. He stressed that space and astronomy topics engage the imagination of the people
and such projects can be used to communicate the need for science and to showcase African
involvement and investment in this high technology area.

Following the Minister’s speech, Ramasamy Venugopal from the OAD talked about using space
and astronomy for development, in Africa and elsewhere, and the relevance of space education
for Africa in support of the objectives of the African Space Strategy and Policy. Jorge Rivero
introduced EUSPACE-AWE and discussed the resources it could offer for the African context. Dr.
Tidiane Ouattara from the African Union stressed the importance of building indigenous capacity
in Africa in space technology and science and thus the need for space education and the resources
provided by projects such as EUSPACE-AWE.

The four OAD Regional Offices present at the workshop provided short updates on the status of
space education efforts in their regions. Participants then discussed space education in Africa and
role of the EUSPACE-AWE project. The summary of the discussions is captured in the Outcomes
section.

7. Outcomes
Teachers Workshop:

The main outcomes were:

● EUSPACE-AWE resources were excellent to stimulate interest of young students in STEM
and, in particular, space sciences. However, in some places in the African continent might
be difficult to access the online resources due to lack of internet access. Therefore, they
suggested to also provide hard-copies of the resources.
● EUSPACE-AWE resources such as the Space Careers Booklet should be enhanced with
content from Africa to engage more effectively with local public.

High-level workshop:

The participants of the workshop, during its closing, agreed that:

● Space outreach can stimulate the interest of African youth in science and technology in
general and space careers in particular.
● Space education and outreach can help to stimulate capacity building in Africa.
● Space education and training to teachers is a way to multiply the effectiveness of reaching
young people.

8 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

 ● Space outreach to the general public is important to showcase African involvement and
investment in Space.
● Space outreach can be used to promulgate a sense of global citizenship.
● The resources developed by the EUSPACE-AWE Project can be useful in different classroom
settings across Africa.

And therefore recommend that:

● EUSPACE-AWE resources should be enhanced with content from Africa.
● The numerous space-related initiatives taking place in Africa and the Middle East should be
adequately recognized and promoted.
● Regional offices of astronomy for development explore the localization and dissemination
of EUSPACE-AWE resources in East, West and Southern Africa, and the Arab World,
coordinating regional networks of stakeholders.
● Policy makers consider updating current school curricula and using EUSPACE-AWE
resources to enhance school curricula, with involvement of appropriate stakeholders.

8. Conclusion

Participants of the workshop agreed upon a set of recommendations (see Annex 4) to move the
discussions forward. These recommendations will be followed up with the African Union and
relevant stakeholders in Africa to explore the role of EUSPACE-AWE in the African context and how
other similar activities could be developed. The OAD, through its regional office in Ethiopia as well
as other networks, will also distribute the report and recommendations to relevant parties.

9 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

ANNEX 1 – PROGRAMME

Invitation card:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xjsfwyj1hbezhy6/Invitation_Program_Card%20Space%20Awareness
%20event%20v2.pdf?dl=0

Teachers Workshop
08:30 Arrival of participants
09:00 Introduction to EU Space Awareness and Activities
10:30 Break (Poster exhibition displayed during break)
11:00 Workshop (continued)
11:30 Discussion and Feedback from Teachers
12:00 Lunch
High-level workshop
14:00 Welcome Remarks
14:05 Opening speech by His Excellency Dr. Ing. Getahun Mekuria, the Ethiopian Minister of
Science and Technology
14:20 IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD)
14:35 EU Space Awareness
14:50 Invited Speaker from African Union Commission Human Resources Science and Technology
15:10 Invited Speaker from Euro Planet
15:30 Space Science and Technology in African Regions - brief remarks by OAD Regional
Coordinators from West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and Arab region (covering North Africa
and Middle East)
16:00 Coffee Break
16:30 Presentation of Space Awareness materials/resources
17:00 Discussions and outcomes
17:30 Closure
18:00 Dinner

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ANNEX 2 – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

No Name Orgn/Institute

1 Mr. Kevin Govender IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)

2 Mr. Ramasamy Venugopal IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)

3 Dr. Jorge Rivero Gonzalez EUSPACE-AWE

4 Dr. Bonaventure Okere West African Regional Office, OAD

5 Prospery Simpemba Southern African Regional Office, OAD

6 Dr. Ebrahim Alnsour Arab Regional Office, OAD

7 Dr. Noorai Jiwaji Open University of Tanzania

8 Prof. Barbara Cavalazi Europlanet

9 H.E. Prof. Afework Kassu Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), State
minister

10 Dr. Tidiane Ouattara Africa Union, Human Resources Science and Technology
(HRST)

11 Dr. Solomon Belay Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute

(ESSTI)

12 Mr. Alemiye Mamo EA-ROAD/ESSTI

13 Mr. Abdissa Yilma ESSTI

14 Dr. Kelali Adhana East African Regional Office, OAD

15 Dr. Riyadh Jemal

16 Amb. Dr. Tawfik Abdullahi Ethiopian Space Science Society(ESSS)

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 17 Abinet Ezra Ethiopian Space Science Society(ESSS)

18 Mesenbet Shenkute Ethiopian Space Science Society(ESSS)

19 Dr. Teshome Senbeta Addis Ababa University(AAU)

20 Hewan Tsegaye ESSTI Planning Director

21 Dr. Tulu Besha Bedada ESSTI Geodesy Director

22 Dr. Berhan Gessese ESSTI Remote Sensing Director

23 Prof. Leonid Berdinkov ESSTI Senior Astronomer

24 Messay W/Hana ESSTI ICT Director

25 Shimelese Kebede ESSTI Space Engineering Director

26 Michael Abebe ESSTI Satellite Operation Director

27 Prof. Gezahgn Yirgu Addis Ababa University(AAU)

28 Dr. Remudin Reshid Addis Ababa University(AAU)

29 Dr. Deribe Hirpo Addis Ababa University(AAU)

30 Mr. Siber Andualem Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)

31 Mr. kebede Gamo Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute(EBTI)

32 Mr. Ashenafi Bekele Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute(EBTI)

33 Dr. Wondimagegn Mamo Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute(EBTI)

34 Mr. Tassew Girma Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute(EBTI)

Teachers training

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 Abiot Tessema Black Lion School
1

Alula Negash AstroBUS-Ethiopia

2

Beza Tesfaye Ethiopian Space Science Society(ESSS)

3

Dagmawi Mekonnen Space Generation Advisory Council(SGAC)

4

Elias Arage Bole Sub City Education Bureau

5

Endeshaw Bekele St. Joseph School

6

Dr. Getenet Feleke Kotebe Metropolitan University (KMU)

7

Gezahegn Desalegn Yehmdar Family School

8

Hailu Demissie Cruise School

9

Kejela Waktola Bole Preparatory School

10

Mandefro Ararso Minilik Preparatory School

11

Dr. Mirjana Povic ESSTI Astronomer

12

Nigatu Teklu Ethio Parent School

13

Tedela Tadesse Lideta Catholic Cathedral School(LCCS)

14

Andualem W/Hanna Lideta Catholic Cathedral School (LCCS)

15

Workagegnehu Tekle Nazareth School (NSC)

16

Yesitela Engida Nazareth School

17

Yilma Shiferaw Ethio Parent School(EPS)

18

19 Nebeyu Mohammed Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

Tsegenet Getachew ESSTI Staff

20

13 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

 Eyerusalem Tamerat ESSTI
21

Mekibeb Tamrat ESSTI

22

Denawol Zelalem ESSTI

23

Tesfaye Yemane ESSTI

24

Eyuas Ergetu ESSTI

25

Ghion Ashenafi ESSTI

26

Wudu Worku ESSTI

27

Getenet G/Egziabher ESSTI

28

Ermyas Aklilu ESSTI

29

Biniyam Demissie LCCSS student

30

Nathan LCCS student

31

Abenezer Seleshi Saint Joseph School(SJS) Student

32

Biruktawit Aklilu NSC Student

33

Ruth Tedla NSC Student

34

Zemichael Damtew ABGS Student

35

Yeabkalu Assefa Student

36

37 Efrem Mitku Minilik Preparatory School

38 Dawit Kassahun ESSTI

39 Fithanegest Kassa PhD Student

14 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

ANNEX 3 - Speech by His Excellency, the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and
Technology, Prof. Afework Kassu

Topics of Space and Astronomy hold universal appeal and fascination for everyone. Questions
about our universe, our origins and life beyond Earth are some of the oldest questions of
humanity. The excitement of space is an excellent vehicle for capturing the imagination of young
people. Space science and technology provides a unique educational tool and offers challenging
career opportunities. The widespread impact of effective space science education and outreach
projects are cost effective and beneficial in the long term.

Many scientists and engineers trace their first interest in science to exposure as young children to
the fascination of the Universe and the exploration of space. Space outreach and education can,
thus, play an important role in stimulating the interest of African youth in science and technology
leading to the building of indigenous capacity in Africa.

It is also extremely important to engage with the educators. The effectiveness of reaching young
people is multiplied by large factors by targeting teachers. Exposure to space-oriented topics can
build confidence in teachers and sow the seeds of a space-oriented future career choice.
Furthermore, teacher training can be a crucial instrument for encouraging STEM literacy and
interest in space among the general public.

Space and Astronomy projects always engage the imagination of the people. In these times of
misinformation and anti-Science movements, outreach to the general public is required to
communicate the need for Science and to showcase African involvement and investment in high
technology projects such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the African VLBI Network (AVN), the
work of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and others that will drive
research and technology development on the continent.

Finally, the perspectives of space and astronomy foster a sense of global citizenship. Consideration
of the vastness and beauty of the Universe and of our place within it provides a special perspective
that can help broaden the mind and stimulate a sense of global citizenship.

The EU Space Awareness project, building on previous work by EU-UNAWE, aims to increase the
number of young people that choose space-related careers. It provides: • Development of
hundreds of space related teaching resources and activities, in close consultation with the
European Space Agency as well as other relevant experts around the world on topics such as
gender equity or migrant communities. The resources have been peer-reviewed by astronomers
and educators from around the world, and translated in at least 8 languages. • Capacity building
for teachers through workshops and Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs). • Showcase of Space
Careers profiles to inspire and stimulate children and teenagers to pursue a career in STEM
subjects.

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ANNEX 4 - RECOMMENDATIONS

Communique on the Space Awareness High-Level Workshop,

Addis Ababa, 7th October 2017

Recognising those present,

● His Excellency, the Ethiopian State Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Afework
Kassu;
● Representative of the African Union Commission Department of Human Resources, Science
and Technology Dr Tidiane Ouattara;
● Director and staff of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute
● Staff of Ministry of Science and Technology
● Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute
● Addis Ababa University
● Representative of Europlanet, Barbara Cavalazzi
● Project Manager of EU Space Awareness
● Director and Project Manager of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
● Coordinators of IAU Regional Offices of Astronomy for Development for Southern Africa,
West Africa, East Africa, and the Arab World
● Members of the Ethiopian Space Science Society
● Members of the Space Generation Advisory Council
● Science teachers, students and coordinators of space-related clubs from Ethiopia
● Other distinguished individuals and stakeholders from universities and institutes in Africa
and Middle East.

Recognising the purpose of this event,

● To present and share resources that have been developed by the Space Awareness Project
● To engage education stakeholders in discussion regarding these resources and establish a
network of interested parties
● To determine how such resources and related training activities can be best used and
expanded on the African continent

Participants of this workshop, during its closing, agreed that:

● Space outreach can stimulate the interest of African youth in science and technology in
general and space careers in particular.
● Space outreach can help to stimulate capacity building in Africa.
● Space outreach and training to teachers is way to multiply the effectiveness of reaching
young people.

16 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report

 ● Space outreach to the general public is important to showcase African involvement and
investment in Space.
● Space outreach can be used to promulgate a sense of global citizenship.
● The resources developed by the Space Awareness Project can be useful in different
classroom settings across Africa and should be enhanced with content from Africa.
● There are numerous excellent Space-related initiatives taking place in Africa and the
Middle East and these should be adequately recognized and promoted.
● Regional offices of astronomy for development will explore the localization and
dissemination of Space Awareness resources in East, West and Southern Africa, and the
Arab World, coordinating regional networks of stakeholders.
● Policy makers should consider updating current school curricula and using Space
Awareness resources to enhance school curricula, with involvement of appropriate
stakeholders.

17 | EUSPACE-AWE – D8.2 Workshop Report