Press Release
19 August 2020,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

On 11th August 2020, Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and IAU renewed their agreement in continuing the hosting of the East African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development in Addis Ababa for the next 5 years.

The Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) is the lead organization in the East African regional implementation of the IAU Strategic Plan for the OAD 2020-2030. It will provide the regional coordination needed for an integrated strategic approach and in addition will be expected to initiate and develop new programmes consistent with the goals of the Strategic Plan for the OAD. The main task of the East African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (EA-ROAD) will be to foster the goals of the IAU Strategic Plan for the OAD 2020-2030 in the East African region, namely:

  • Contribute significantly to SDG indicators where possible;
  • Use astronomy and its technology to position young people for career opportunities throughout society.
  • Establish interdisciplinary partnerships around science for development.
  • Implement “signature” projects as developed by the OAD
  • Support the OAD project evaluation and feedback loop.
  • Source the necessary funding to realize the above and assist other related initiatives in fundraising.

In the past five years the EA-ROAD was actively involved in coordinating the East Africa region by implementing IAU , OAD strategic plans , regional OAD projects; working on the three task forces (Children & Schools, University & Research and Public Outreach); coordinating and organizing a number of workshops and symposiums in the region; providing strategic advice, guidance and dissemination of information to the region and looking for grants and financial resource to support the region.

More Information about IAU, OAD, EA-ROAD and ESSTI

The International Astronomical Union (IAU), the largest professional body of astronomers in the world, adopted a strategic plan in 2009 that aims to realize the global developmental benefits of astronomy. In order to implement this plan the IAU established the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD). The OAD exists as a global coordinating centre for “astronomy-for-development” activities, tasked with establishing and strategically coordinating Regional Offices and Language Expertise Centers across the world. Currently there are eleven OAD regional offices in Colombia and Chile (Andean Region), Jordan (Arab World and Arabic Language), Ethiopia (East Africa), China (East Asia and Chinese Language), Netherlands (Europe), USA (North America), Portugal (Portuguese Language), Thailand (South East Asia), Armenia (South West and Central Asia), Zambia (Southern Africa), and Nigeria (West Africa).

East Africa Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (EA-ROAD) is one of OAD offices in Eastern Africa hosted by Ethiopia. The EA-ROAD is a project of the IAU OAD coordinated by Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute under the supervision of Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT). EA-ROAD office was opened in Ethiopia in 2014 and coordinates 14 countries in the region.

Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI), is one of the federal government institute of Ethiopia, responsible for all Space Science and Technology activities of the country. It has two centers, Entoto Observatory and Research Center (EORC) under which the postgraduate study and research are conducted, and Aeronautics & Astronautics center where most of the space technology and satellite developments are being operated.