CAPACITY BUILDING IN SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE SPACE GENERATION ADVISORY COUNCIL PARTICIPATION TO THE AFRICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE YOUTH FORUM 2018

Paper number

IAC-19,D4,IP,10,x52164

Author

Mr. Abraham Akinwale, Nigeria, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

Coauthor

Ms. Clementine Decoopman, Austria, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

Year

2019

Abstract

The recent advancement of the Newspace Africa discussions and the drive for better structured space developments within the African continent have given room for more diversity and inclusion in the discussion within the African Union. The African Union is now providing more opportunities for the youth (students and young professionals) from various nationalities and backgrounds to be involved in the development of the new space agenda in Africa.
 
The Space Generation Advisory Council in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, is a non-governmental, organisation that represents university students and young space professionals to the United Nations, States, space agencies, industry and academia. The focus of SGAC is providing pragmatic space policy advice to policy makers based on the interests of students and young professionals, broadly in the age range 18-35, interested in space from around the world. The organisation believes in the fact that young people have opinions, experiences and expertise and acts as a platform to connect them to policy-makers around the world. 

In November 2018, the Space Generation Advisory Council was honoured to participate to the African Leadership Conference Youth Forum 2018. This paper discusses the involvement of and the pivotal role the organisation played in the declarations that were put forward to the African Union at the end of the forum. 
The next development phase of the African Space Agency will greatly rely on the participation of the next generation of students and young professional, as future leaders, who are committed to the success of the space industry growth in the African continent. For the first time, the involvement of the SGAC provided more room for youth contributions to the declarations put forward to the Union. The organisation acts as an example of capacity building initiatives for the youths in space science and technology in Africa and supports the development of platforms to stimulate youth engagement and entrepreneurship in the region.
 
It also encourages the African Union to continue to provide more opportunities for the African youth in the African Leadership Conference. The participation of SGAC to this forum marked a critical change in the youth involvement to high-level discussions in Africa and promises a more inclusive development of the African space sector.

Abstract document

IAC-19,D4,IP,10,x52164.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-19,D4,IP,10,x52164.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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