About the Space Generation Congress
SGC is the annual meeting for the Space Generation. It is where once a year we welcome new people to the team, catch up on our progress over the past year, and decide what our next steps will be. For our new people, welcome! This weekend we aim to teach you about the Space Generation, what it has been doing, and how you can take part in our activities. You are also welcome to input into our planning discussions, since you will be involved as well. We will be having a number of sessions throughout the weekend, where we will discuss the Space Generation plan for 2007-2008. This will cover all our areas of activity, such as our projects, United Nations input, and online community. You will see how they all fit together and how all the parts can be used to build our future in space. The results of our discussions will be the main output of the congress. In these sessions we will also introduce some of the skills and techniques needed for working on space projects internationally and in your community. It is our hope that when you leave SGC at the end of the weekend that you will have a clear idea of what is happening internationally, how to get involved, and most importantly, what specially you could do.
Our theme this year shows our commitment to giving you the tools needed to actively participate in the future of space exploration. Members of the Space Generation have already started to make a big difference in the world as they move into the global aerospace workforce. In 2006 we are focusing on training delegates with the skills and knowledge needed to push the space industry forward and create a truly space-faring civilization. As you learn and refine these new skills, you will be given the opportunity to practice them through activities at SGC and projects happening all over the world.
I used to feel isolated being a young space scientist in Africa with no one to share my dreams with. All this changed when I joined SGC in 2002, where I found like-minded, passionate young folks with a vision for space for the present and the future. I, and others like me, now have an effective means of acting on the youth visions for space for our immediate society.
Bode Gbobaniyi, Climate Systems Research Group, University of Capetown
Sessions
To accomplish all of our goals in such a short time, the 2006 SGC will be divided up into several distinct types of activities. Examples of these sessions are:
Training in leadership, project management, and organizational skills that enables you to be effective in pursuing your personal and career goals as well as developing you to be the next phase of SGAC representatives (Ex: "How to write a press release" , "What keeps a team together?", etc.). Most of these sessions will take place with the entire group at once.
Creating a "Youth Space Declaration" that outlines the important issues defining the future direction of space exploration. This declaration will be made available online for endorsement by all of the Space Generation community.
Creating a strategic plan for the Space Generation with specific measureable results that will be acheived by the group over the next 2, 5, and 10 years.
Introducing you to project workgroups that are recruiting new team members and giving you the opportunity to learn from exiting, successful activities. Some of the discussion and planning for the declaration and strategic plan will be inside these specific workgroups while overall concepts and integration will require input from all delegates. At the conclusion of the conference, you could choose to join an existing activity or even start a project of your own! Some time will be allowed for the new team members to meet and discuss their projects or make plans for additional meetings after the main SGC sessions.
After SGC
At the end of our three days together, you will have the opportunity to attend the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Here you can meet top international scientists, spacecraft engineers, and the heads of the space industry. Many times SGC delegates find mentors and future business associates during this week. SGAC will have a display booth and seating area at the IAC Space Exposition where you can continue to discuss projects, practice skills, or meet new people.
Leaving SGC, you will have all of the tools to remain an active part of the Space Generation. You will continue to engage in projects year-round and use the new contact network to trade information about events and opportunities all over the world. Many SGC delegates also choose to become active with SGAC to ensure the youth of the world have a voice in global space policy debates and that events like SGC continue to grow.
Our Partners
SGC 2006 is organized by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications - the only body through which students' and young professionals' views are represented to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS).
SGC 2006 is officially held in conjunction with the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
The MoonMarsWorkshop is held annually at the Space Generation Congress.
Many other groups share our goals and are partners of the Space Generation Congress.
Our Sponsors
