Email: [email protected]
Newswise — Nearly 3,000 experts from around the globe met at the 61st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) to discuss every facet of 21st century space activity.
Held in Prague, Czech Republic from September 27-October 1, the meeting’s theme was “Space for human benefit and exploration” with Secure World Foundation (SWF) taking a leading role in furthering the dialogue on a wide-range of space issues.
“The annual International Astronautical Congress allows SWF not only to follow the progress of a wide range of space activities but also to interact with colleagues on topics of critical interest to the Foundation,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, SWF’s Executive Director.
“The sessions on space debris, space policy and space law provided SWF with the opportunity to exchange ideas and plans with some of the world’s leading space experts,” Williamson said.
Active participation
Along with active participation in IAC committee meetings and panel discussions, several SWF authored or co-authored papers were presented:
-- Responding to the Threat of Potentially Hazardous Near Earth Objects: Dr. Ray Williamson, SWF Executive Director, Superior, Colorado
--Overview of the Legal and Policy Challenges of Orbital Debris Removal: Brian Weeden, SWF Technical Advisor, Montreal, Canada
-- Assessing the Current Dynamics of Space Security: SWF Consultant, Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, Brussels, Belgium
In other IAC activities, a SWF-sponsored team from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. won the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition, an event organized annually by the International Institute of Space Law.
This year’s Moot Court, three teams -- from Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region -- competed in the World Finals. The 2010 hypothetical problem was entitled the “Case concerning Suborbital Tourism, Definition of Outer Space and Liability.”
Educational outreach
Secure World Foundation is also a sponsor of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), a vibrant international, national and local level network of university students and young professionals who think creatively about international space policy issues and inject the youth point of view into international space policy creation.
SGAC Chair is Agnieszka Lukaszczyk.
At this year’s Space Generation Congress in Prague, student presentations were given on five project groups: Industry, Agency, Climate, Exploration and Outreach. The results of these groups are to be shared with the United Nations, various agencies, industry and academia.
Additionally, in collaboration with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Czech Space Office, an IAF student and young professionals social gathering was sponsored by Secure World Foundation.
For additional information on SWF, papers presented, and participation at the International Astronautical Congress, contact:
Contact Information:
Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive DirectorSecure World FoundationPhone: 303-554-1560Email: [email protected]
Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, ConsultantSecure World FoundationBrussels, BelgiumPhone: + 32498562814Email: [email protected]
About Secure World Foundation
Secure World Foundation (SWF) is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Brussels, Belgium.
SWF is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space sustainability. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.
The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.
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