The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) recently participated in the annual Science Forum South Africa, hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), which took place from December 4th to 6th, 2024. On December 6, 2024, we co-hosted a session with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) focused on the impact of astronomy on sustainable development. The session featured a diverse panel comprising the Managing Directors of the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and SARAO, the Directors of the Department of Tourism and the OAD, and a Development Economist. This multidisciplinary collaboration highlighted the intersections between astronomy, tourism, education, and socio-economic development.
To begin the discussion, development economist Kalnisha Singh introduced the concept of development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted the importance of development as expanding access to choices and options. She also explained the difference between equitable and sustainable development: equitable development focuses on development that does not impede present-day development, while sustainable development considers the impact on future generations. The discussion also emphasised the importance of understanding indigenous systems in the Global South when developing sustainable development models. It concluded with a discussion on the success rate of development initiatives and the importance of intrinsic motivation in development pathways.
The next panelist, Dr. Laeticia Jacobs, acting Director of the Department of Tourism, discussed the role of tourism in development, with some emphasis on the growth of astrotourism in Sutherland and Carnarvon, South Africa. Tourism goes beyond travelling from one place to another, it plays an important role in bridging cultural and geographical divides; it also contributes to the development of rural/remote communities through infrastructure building like roads, railways and airports which lead to job creation. Astrotourism has the potential to connect people with the universe and their local communities while driving economic growth in rural and remote areas. The discussion also indicated that astrotourism plays a key role in promoting dark sky preservation by reducing light pollution in potential astrotourism destinations. While astrotourism is currently niche-oriented, the recently launched National Astrotourism Strategy by the Departments of Tourism and Science, Technology and Innovation aims to make it more accessible to the general public.
It was also highlighted that the OAD has created free, accessible resources to enable people in rural areas to start their own astrotourism businesses. These resources can also support people in semi-urban and urban areas, and additional resources exist to help existing tourism businesses incorporate night sky tourism into their current offerings. The discussion also mentioned SARAO’s astroguide training for local youth in Carnarvon, which includes basic astronomy, telescope use, and incorporating indigenous cultural stories about the night sky. The next step of the astroguide training will be extended to staff of South African National Parks (SANParks).
The topic of astrotourism then led to the next panelist, Dr. Rosalind Skelton, acting Managing Director of SAAO. Observatories can significantly boost the local economies of surrounding communities. The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in Sutherland, Northern Cape Province, has played a pivotal role in boosting astrotourism in the area. The construction of SALT significantly increased visitor numbers and the expansion of guest houses and farms. A planetarium was also established in Sutherland because of SALT. In addition to boosting tourism and business in Sutherland, Dr. Skelton highlighted how SAAO’s science engagement programs contribute to the development of the community, including teacher training, career days, and school visits.
Ms. Pontsho Maruping, Managing Director of SARAO, contributed to the discussion on SARAO’s impact on the Carnarvon community. She spoke of the Human Capital Development (HCD) programs that focus on developing high-end skills for astronomers and engineers. She highlighted the number of astronomers and engineers trained within the SARAO HCD program and how many supported students have become lecturers and researchers. Ms. Maruping also indicated that technical training for infrastructure maintenance is provided to technicians and artisans, the vast majority of whom come from local communities to ensure community empowerment.
The final panelist, OAD Director Kevin Govender, discussed the significant impact of astronomy on society and its potential for economic development. He highlighted the OAD’s work, which uses astronomy as a tool for development by exporting its methods and techniques to other fields. He emphasised that the discussion goes beyond astrotourism to include education, outreach, HCD, and technology. Expanding on the other panelists’ points, he emphasised astronomy’s potential to stimulate rural economic development through astrotourism and its positive impact on mental health. He also mentioned the use of data skills and cloud computing infrastructure in analysing development data and skills development. Finally, he mentioned the OAD’s annual call for funding projects that incorporate astronomy to impact development, which has reached over 100 countries worldwide.
Importantly, he noted the impressiveness of having two directors of major astronomical facilities in the country speak so passionately about their observatories’ commitment to society. He highlighted that few observatory directors worldwide can speak so passionately and knowledgeably about their impact on communities and society.
The existence of multidisciplinary collaborations is significant when tackling issues involving communities. This panel discussion was a great opportunity to showcase the importance of such collaborations; the panel consisted of experts from various fields, and there was clear evidence of the intersections between those fields.
To watch the recording of the session, visit here
