source: Stellenbosch University As mental health challenges continue to escalate globally, the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative that leverages the cosmos. By partnering with public health researchers, the OAD is unveiling novel ways in which astronomy experiences can enhance emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and foster […]
Category Archives: News
03
Dec
Dec
On Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the OAD team travelled to Tsitsing village in the North West Province, South Africa, to visit the Kgosana Rakhudu Foundation. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the Foundation’s work, share the OAD’s programmes, and explore possible ways to collaborate in the future. On arrival in Tsitsing, […]
21
Nov
Nov
The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a major international forum comprising 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union. Its members represent some of the world’s largest economies, accounting for approximately 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world’s population. This year is particularly historic: South Africa is hosting the G20 presidency, the […]
Astronomy for mental health, News
Connecting Astronomy and Mental Wellbeing in Kimberley, South Africa
27
Oct
Oct
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, […]
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 […]