On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Dominic Vertue from the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) engaged Grade 9 learners at the Maths and Science Leadership Academy (MSLA) in Kimberley, South Africa in a session titled “Under the Same Sky: Astronomy for Mental Health.” The talk explored how experiences of awe, reflection, […]
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BARCo: Bringing Astronomy to Rural Communities of Colombia., News, Press releases
IAU OAD Supported Initiative Wins Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement
15
Oct
Oct
Red de Estudiantes Colombianos en Astronomía (RECA) Educación, a Colombian non-profit that brings science, astronomy and planetary science to schools and communities across Colombia has been awarded the 2025 Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement. The award was presented at the the Europlanet Science Congress and the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science (EPSC–DPS) Joint […]
06
Oct
Oct
In late September 2025, the OAD had the opportunity to host a special visitor, Professor Willy Benz, President of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). His visit, which took place from 25–28 September 2025, was filled with meaningful engagements that celebrated astronomy’s power to connect science, society, and development. Professor Benz was in South Africa as […]
25
Sep
Sep
The International Astronomical Union (IAU), the largest professional society of astronomers worldwide, is launching an astronomy-based initiative, through its Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), to drive entrepreneurship and support mental health. Termed the “Flagship Ecosystem”, the initiative will offer a wide range of support to people from around the world to engage in astronomy […]
25
Sep
Sep
Kevin Govender, Director of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, moderated a panel discussion at a recent gathering of G20 science delegations in South Africa. The event was organised by the South African Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO) and South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), under the […]
