Division C WG Key Initiatives in Education, Outreach and Development — Functional

Description

The new Division C WG IAU Key Initiatives in Education, Outreach and Development (KI) was proposed by the IAU Officers and the Division C OC, and has as a main goal encompassing a number of valuable, consolidated programmes promoted by the IAU in connection with Education, Outreach and Development. These successful initiatives, are spread over the world, have also a set of tools for evaluation and measurement of impact, and their actions are maintained and will continue for a long time, thanks to the support of different institutions, ambassadors and volunteers.

The proposal can be considered an IAU Legacy, will include very well-known initiatives such as UNAWE, GTTP and NASE and maintains the relationship between the IAU, the programs and different audiences assuring the global dissemination of the activities and the creation of new cooperation and development networks.

The WG can be understood as

as an anchor to link the Programs with the IAU
as a structure to involve the successful programs which were maintained for a long time, that have several successful stories, and which can serve as inspiration for the new proposals

Following this line of thought, the main Objectives are

Assure continuity to link the programs with the IAU.
Be a Forum to establish and discuss about key programs and to identify new ones
Discuss about fundraising
Propose tools for evaluation
Coordinate and provide the the tools for exchange between the programs avoiding overlap
Provide the resources for translation and adaptation of the programs to each community, taking into account different cultures and economical resources
Advice about inclusion and equity.

In this sense, the IAU will continue to have successful global projects linked to it and for the programs the permanence into the Union will increase national/international visibility through the IAU Offices and networks, avoiding the overlap with other IAU-WGs, promoting new ideas.

Official structure

The work at the KI-WG will be organized by a OC, integrated by the he representatives for the programs in the working group; a chair and a co-chair will be elected between the OC members. The Directors of the IAU OAD, OAE, OAO and OYA Offices will act as advisors.

About the Programs, the OC can identify new potential key programs and/or the programs can apply to be included into the WG.

About the members, each Program will suggest/select their own members, and communicate the names to the KI-WG chair.

Final remark

This proposal can clearly show the benefits for the IAU and for the Programs, groups and members only with the time, but is part of the construction of a potential Education Alliance.

The invitation to be part of this idea, it is also to open the exchange and discussion.

Links:

WG Triennial Report (2021-2024) - Key Initiatives in Education, Outreach and Development
WG Annual Report (2022) - Key Initiatives in Education, Outreach and Development
Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP)
Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE)
Pale Blue Dot (Astronomy for Global Citizenship and Environmental Awarness)
Universe Awarness (UNAWE)
Eratosthenes Experiment (Greece)
Proyecto Eratóstenes (Argentina-America); La Tierra es redonda
Globe at Night

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Functional Working Groups are Working Groups whose scope and purpose are institutional and naturally extend beyond the IAU three-year cycle.

These should have a maximum automatic lifespan of 6 years. Their Functional status should be revisited at that 6-year mark by the EC and a decision should be taken on whether the Functional WG should be renewed or terminated. The Functional WG Chair would also follow the 6-year term and the renewal of the Chair would also be discussed at this time.