Applicants are encouraged to use the online application accessible through the link below:
The United Nations through its Programme on Space Applications implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) are jointly organizing a Workshop on Space Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits on the theme "Water Resources Management" to promote the use of space technology for the benefit of Member States. The Workshop will be held in Israel, from 9 to 11 October 2015 in conjunction with the 66th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) (see http://www.iac2015.org/). A limited number of Workshop participants from developing countries, selected by the United Nations and the IAF, will also be invited to attend the IAC to be held from 12 to 16 October 2015.
Only 2.5 percent of our Planet's water resources are fresh water, two-thirds of which are confined to the planets Earth's polar caps. Consequently only one-third of Earth's fresh water is readily available to us as usable ground- and surface water. It is a severely limited resource with more than 700 million people still having no access to clean fresh water. The Workshop will focus on the contributions of space science, technology and its applications to manage our limited water resources.
The Workshop will be the 25 th in a series of Workshops jointly organised by the Office for Outer Space Affairs and by the International Astronautical Federation and has been endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the 2015 activities of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. It will be co-sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA), with contributions from the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
The presentations made at the Workshop will be published online on the website of the Office for Outer Space Affairs to increase the awareness of the capabilities and benefits of space technology applications. A report of the Workshop, including observations and recommendations made by the participants, will be published as an official United Nations document.
The Workshop will discuss space science, technologies and applications in support of economic, social and environmental sustainable development with a focus on water resources management, in particularly also in the developing countries.
The main objectives of the Workshop will be to:
The discussions will be closely linked to Sustainable Development Goal 6 "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all" in the Open Working Group proposal for Sustainable Development Goals (see https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgsproposal.html). The Workshop shall also address how space solutions can contribute to relevant aims proposed for Sustainable Development Goal 6, in particular, by 2030 to:
The Workshop programme will be structured around a series of topical sessions related to water resources management. Presentations will be solicited through a Call for Papers. In addition, renowned experts in the field will be invited to make presentations.
The following topics will be considered in dedicated sessions:
In addition to the topical sessions there will be panel and round-table discussions to share experiences and lessons learned and to discuss opportunities for international and regional cooperation among the participants.
It is also planned that the sessions will be complemented by a poster session and technical visit. The co-sponsors strive to organize an attractive programme of side-events for the Workshop participants.
The Workshop primarily targets relevant space technology and application experts as well as water resources experts in relevant government organizations, international or national agencies, non-governmental organizations, research or academic institutions or industry. Applicants should have a university degree and well-established professional working experience in a field related to the theme of the Workshop. Applications from qualified female applicants are particularly encouraged. Special consideration will be given to the applicants, who
The co-sponsors of the Workshop will jointly select participants on a competitive basis. Selected participants will be notified by the end of August 2015. Invited participants will receive a formal invitation letter with further information with details on board and lodging and other local arrangements.
Applicants and their nominating organizations are strongly encouraged to find their own sources of sponsorship to participate in the Workshop. However, within the limited financial resourcesavailable to the co-sponsors, a limited number of qualified applicants from developing countries expressing the need for financial support will be offered financial support to attend the Workshop and the IAC. This may include the provision of a round-trip air ticket between Israel and the applicant's international airport of departure and/or room and partial board for the duration of the Workshop and the 66th International Astronautical Congress. En-route and other daily expenses or any changes made to an air ticket provided by the co-sponsors must be borne by the participants.
Applicants expressing the need for funding support will be selected on a competitive basis based on their qualifications and expected contributions to the Workshop. All selected applicants are required to make either an oral or poster presentation related to the Workshop theme. The presentations will be selected on the basis of the submitted abstracts, which will be judged on how well they address the Workshop objectives or propose solutions that contribute to achieving the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 6.