IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/ Astronomy for a better world! Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:38:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://astro4dev.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-03_OAD_symbol_colour_2-32x32.jpg IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/ 32 32 Two Weeks of Engagement and Collaboration: 2 – 13 March https://astro4dev.org/two-weeks-of-engagement-and-collaboration-2-13-march/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:14:11 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31035 The first half of March marked a period of active engagement for Dr Joyful Mdhluli, Flagship Coordinator at the OAD. Through a series of meetings, workshops, and institutional visits across South Africa, Dr Mdhluli contributed to conversations on astrotourism, astronomy for development, and strengthening partnerships between government, academia, and science institutions. These engagements reflect the [...]

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]]> Astrotourism and Conservation https://astro4dev.org/astrotourism-and-conservation/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:31:29 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31014 Dark skies are not only a scientific resource, but a social, cultural, environmental, and economic asset. They are living heritage –  essential to ecosystems, deeply woven into cultural identities, and increasingly recognised as catalysts for sustainable livelihoods through responsible tourism. Artificial light at night continues to increase globally, washing out the stars and disrupting natural [...]

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]]> IAU OAD and RIIS Partner to Advance Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development Across Africa https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-and-riis-partner-to-advance-innovation-entrepreneurship-and-sustainable-development-across-africa/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:07:42 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31007 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Cape Town, South Africa – 23 February 2026. The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a partnership of the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RIIS to establish a [...]

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]]> South Africa Based International Office Drives Sustainable Development through Astronomy https://astro4dev.org/south-africa-based-international-office-drives-sustainable-development-through-astronomy/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:17:44 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31004 Source: National Research Foundation For immediate release20 February 2026 The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a partnership of the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), is delighted to announce that 10 African projects have been selected to receive funding to advance [...]

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]]> Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Astronomy as a Catalyst for Development https://astro4dev.org/celebrating-the-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science-astronomy-as-a-catalyst-for-development/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:14:42 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30989 By Dr Joyful Mdhluli, OAD Flagship Coordinator The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to recognise the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. Celebrated annually on February 11, it aims to promote full and equal access to participation in [...]

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]]> IAU OAD Newsletter #41 October – December 2025 https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-newsletter-41-october-december-2025/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:50:36 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30973 The IAU OAD has published its latest newsletter for the October to December 2025 period. Highlights in the newsletter: IAU Offers Grants to Drive Sustainable Development through Astronomy Under the Southern Skies: How stargazing is shaping mental health research in South Africa Traditional leadership office and the IAU-OAD sign a memorandum of understanding Upcoming events [...]

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]]> IAU Offers Grants to Drive Sustainable Development through Astronomy https://astro4dev.org/iau-offers-grants-to-drive-sustainable-development-through-astronomy/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:17:26 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30964 source: IAU The International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has concluded its 14th annual call for proposals, and 18 projects will receive funding in 2026 to use astronomy to further sustainable development. The OAD is pleased to announce that 18 new projects around the world will receive grants to promote sustainable [...]

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]]> Radio Astronomy, Intercultural Collaboration, and Science Diplomacy https://astro4dev.org/radio-astronomy-intercultural-collaboration-and-science-diplomacy/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:42:28 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30921 We are excited to kickstart the 2026 Full Moon Mashup series with a conversation that explores how astronomy can connect cultures, strengthen international collaboration, and contribute to science diplomacy. How can astronomy bring people, cultures, and countries closer together? The next Astro4Dev Full Moon Mashup will explore this question by focusing on the international and [...]

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]]> Protecting Dark and Quiet Skies for Science, Society, and Development https://astro4dev.org/protecting-dark-and-quiet-skies-for-science-society-and-development/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:57:15 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30894 From 8-12 December 2025, Dr Mdhluli participated in the Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society workshop hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the SKA Observatory in Vienna. The workshop brought together international stakeholders from science, policy, development, and civil society to explore how dark and quiet skies [...]

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]]> Looking Up Together at the End of 2025 https://astro4dev.org/looking-up-together-at-the-end-of-2025/ Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:27:09 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30748 By Dominic Vertue As 2025 came to a close, we had the opportunity to pause and reflect together under one of the most beautiful night sky events of the year. On 13 December, the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, in collaboration with the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, and astronomer and mindfulness practitioner, Dr. [...]

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