Highlights from the Space Generation Congress

TReNDS Joins Space Community to Discuss Importance of Earth Observation Data

The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) is a global non-governmental, non-profit organization that engages a network of students and young professionals in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. Over October 17-19, 2019, SGAC held its annual Space Generation Congress in the Washington DC area, gathering nearly 150 youth delegates from 51 different countries and representing diverse backgrounds from the area of space, technology, and policy. Delegates heard expert presentations, discussed issues ranging from space exploration to sustainability, and formed a list of recommendations that will be made to the United Nations Programme on Space Applications.

Source: Space Generation Advisory Council

During the Congress, SDSN TReNDS participated in a special workshop on the SDGs that examined how space technology can inform our understanding of sustainable development. Hayden Dahmm presented TReNDS initiatives that draw on Earth Observation data – including Data for Now and POPGRID – and highlighted key recommendations from our recent flagship report, Counting on the World to Act.

Source: Space Generation Advisory Council

The workshop also heard from Dr. Valanathan Munsami of the South African National Space Agency, Alejandro Molinas of Agencia Espacial del Paraguay (the Paraguayan Space Agency), and Tim Searle of the New Zealand Space Agency. Although these three space agencies were only recently formed, the representatives emphasized the importance of space technology to their governments for informing evidence-based policies. The South Africa National Space Agency, for example, has used earth observation data to map population movement from rural to urban areas, agricultural production, water bodies, and flood lines, while the Agencia Espacial del Paraguay has monitored flooding and forest fires in a unified effort with crisis responders. The agencies also stressed the importance of collaboration and building capacity through student training programs. Additionally, Alexandra Jercaianu of the European NGO, Eurisy, presented on her experience with connecting space sector actors with external partners in the areas of health, cities, and emergency response.

A clear takeaway from the workshop attendees was the importance of training students to realize the potential of data for sustainable development, as well as the need for more cross-sector communications within the space community to connect with the SDGs.