Newswise — Secure World Foundation is pleased to announce release of an informative and instructive publication: European Space Governance: The Outlook.

This space policy report is based on a conference organized by Secure World Foundation (SWF) and the Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri), held last September in Brussels, Belgium.

The SWF/Ifri meeting reviewed the evolution of European space governance. It was convened almost two years after the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and five months after the release of the European Commission Communication on a future European space strategy.

The space governance debate in Europe is very passionate as it touches upon the highly sensitive questions of sovereignty and power-sharing. Thus, the desired outcome of the event was to create a balanced view on European space governance, taking full account of the issue’s complexity.

The September conference gathered recognized space policy experts, high level representatives from various public institutions including the European Commission, the European Space Agency, European Defence Agency, European External Action Service, national space agencies, as well as representatives from the private space sector to discuss the major governance challenges ahead.

Policy-oriented suggestions

European Space Governance: The Outlook was prepared by Ifri and SWF and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of conference participants, with discussion held under Chatham House Rules.

“This report is a short and to-the-point analysis of the conference proceedings. It aims to provide decision-makers with references and policy-oriented suggestions for the immediate future,” said Laurence Nardon, Head of the Ifri Space Policy Program.

Ifri is a research center and a forum for debate on major international political and economic issues. As an independent think tank, Ifri brings together political and economic decision-makers, researchers and internationally renowned experts to animate its debate and research activities.

Crosscutting issues

The new publication draws upon conference panels and a keynote speech on the European Union proposal for a Code of Conduct for outer space activities, as well as a number of crosscutting issues, such as:

-- Policy implications of the Lisbon Treaty

-- The legal framework of space activities in Europe

-- The financial sustainability of space programs, and procurement rules

-- Trends spurred by specific programs such as Europe’s Galileo/European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System, the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, and the MUltinational Space-based Imaging System.

Conference participants made clear that a strong public commitment to European Space Policy is needed, in particular from a financial perspective. In summary, space is a strategic sector for Europe.

Pragmatic approach

European space governance is a complex issue with multiple layers spanning national, intergovernmental and supranational levels with international implications. How best to define European space governance? Why does European space governance matter?

As illustrated in the just-released European Space Governance: The Outlook, improving the European space governance architecture is a slow and iterative process, and can only succeed based on a pragmatic approach and a strong political consensus on the central objectives of European Space Policy as a whole.

“We are very pleased with the fact that we continue to produce a solid output every year together with Ifri,” said Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, European Program Manager for Secure World Foundation in Brussels, Belgium. “Our annual conference and the report are now a credible brand, both of which contribute to the European space policy debate.”

To access the report, European Space Governance: The Outlook, please go to:

http://swfound.org/media/54365/ifri%20report%202011.pdf

For more information regarding the conference and the report, please contact:

Agnieszka LukaszczykEuropean Program ManagerSecure World FoundationAvenue des Arts 8B-1210 BrusselsBelgium

Email: [email protected]Phone +32 2 545 11 50Fax +32 2 545 11 66

About Secure World Foundation

Secure World Foundation (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 promoting key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.

Secure World Foundation is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Brussels, Belgium.

For access to the SWF website, please go to:

http://swfound.org/

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