Astronomy for development

Astronomy and astrophysics in Vietnam are still in their infancy. Current efforts to stimulate interest in the general public, to foster the teaching of basic knowledge, and to develop research on frontline topics are described.

Astronomy research in Malaysia has progressed rapidly in the last few decades, with an increasing number of enthusiastic Malaysian astronomers working together to build new research groups and observing facilities, while establishing research networks both locally and globally.

The development of astronomy and space science in Africa has grown significantly over the past few years. These advancements make the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals more achievable, and open up the possibility of new beneficial collaborations.

Since 2013, the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development has been funding and nurturing astronomy-for-development projects across the globe. In Africa, these projects aim to use astronomy to stimulate educational, technological and socioeconomic development.

The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project, a joint venture between the UK, South Africa and African partner nations, aims to provide development, education, training and careers advice to Africans through radio astronomy and related technical disciplines.

Moroccan scientific production in astronomy and astrophysics has shown sustained growth since the late 1980s. This growth is largely due to the dynamism of an increasingly entrepreneurial community and to the creation of an astronomical observatory in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains.

Investments in national astronomical facilities and human resources through the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand have led to the rapid growth of astronomy in Thailand. Ongoing activities in key research areas, education and outreach will lead to further sustainable development.

The Maidanak Astronomical Observatory is involved in collaborative observing programs requiring uninterrupted monitoring of celestial objects by providing high-resolution photometric observations.

Equitable and high-quality scientific education is essential for fighting social inequalities and misinformation. The CosmoAmautas project aims to address this need and use astronomy to contribute to an accessible and decentralized scientific education in Peru.

Alongside its role in astronomical research, the newly commissioned 32-m radio telescope is being used as an outreach tool for astronomy education in Ghana. The observatory also serves as a facility for international postgraduate programmes.

The Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA) is an innovative short course for African university students, held by an African-led international collaboration. PASEA aims to build a critical mass of astronomers in Africa and exchange ideas about teaching across continents.

The support of the international astronomical community to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is fundamental to advance the rights and needs of the most vulnerable groups of our global society. Among these groups are the refugees.

South Africa is looking forward to hosting the IAU General Assembly in 2024 — the first on the African continent. The meeting will come at a time of burgeoning scientific prosperity for the growing community of indigenous South African and African astronomers.

The PLOAD — Portuguese Language Office of Astronomy for Development — was established in 2015 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the goal of promoting astronomy as a tool for sustainable development in Portuguese-speaking countries.

There are efforts to establish a modern astronomical observatory on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia. This future observatory aims to answer fundamental astronomical questions and to strengthen the nation through education, research, science and technology.