1. IYA and the UN
The UN General Assembly resolution A/Res/62/200 dated December 2007 stipulated that:
The General Assembly
Convinced that the Year could play a crucial role, inter alia, in raising public awareness of the importance of astronomy and basic sciences for sustainable development, promoting access to the universal knowledge of fundamental science through the excitement generated by the subject of astronomy, supporting formal and informal science education in schools as well as through science centres and museums and other relevant means, stimulating a long-term increase in student enrolment in the fields of science and technology, and supporting scientific literacy…
1. Decides to declare:
"2009 the International Year of Astronomy"
2. Designates the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization- (UNESCO) as the lead agency and focal point for the Year, and invites it to organize, in this capacity, activities to be realized during the Year, in collaboration with other relevant entities of the United Nations system, the International Astronomical Union, the European Southern Observatory and astronomical societies and groups throughout the world, and, in this regard, notes that the activities of the Year will be funded from voluntary contributions, including from the private sector;
3. Encourages all Member States, the United Nations system and all other actors to take advantage of the Year to promote actions at all levels aimed at increasing awareness among the public of the importance of astronomical sciences and promoting widespread access to new knowledge and experience of astronomical observation.
78th plenary meeting
19 December 2007
2. IYA 2009 in Mauritius
In 2008, UNESCO has provided support to Mauritius in the organisation of capacity- building and training activities in the context of 2009 as the UNESCO & UN International Year of Astronomy”.
An Organizing Committee for IYA 2009 was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Culture and HR, with stakeholders such as the MIE, the RGSC, the UoM, the MAS, and the MCA.
4. Activities have been planned to commemorate the year along with the Ministry. The activities will cover all levels of education as from the primary onwards. These activities are listed below:
Institutions |
Activity |
UoM |
Training students and the public:
- Organisation of open nights at MRT, Bras d’Eau
- Setting up visitors centre at MRT
- Organisation of an Astronomical Conference in Dec 2009
- Sundial competition in Secondary schools (including prizes)
|
RG SC |
Training for students and the Public:
- Organisation of Open Nights in 2009
- Exhibition on Astronomy in September 2009
|
MCA |
Training of students:
- Production of calendars andposters for Primary and Secondary schools
- Round Table on Astronomy
- 12 short programmes on the sky at night to be aired on Knowledge Channel each month in 2009
- Quiz Competitions(including prizes)
|
MIE |
Training of visually impaired in Astronomy
- Project on training of visually impaired in Astronomy
|
MAS |
Astronomy and ICT-training
- Setting up of a website in astronomy for Mauritius
- Stargazing sessions in collaboration with UoM and RGSC
|
Ministry of Education
(Workshops) |
Training of students and teachers in setting up stargazing clubs:
- Workshops for Primary and Secondary students and teachers on stargazing – Support from French Embassy also obtained.
- Starmaps for distribution to all schools (Primary & Secondary)
|
6. Given the crosscutting nature of astronomy with links in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and even ICT, these activities are key in promoting of astronomy and the sciences in schools as a fun and extra curricular activity, several of which can be done at home by students. These activities also consist of an extra curricular activity contributing to enhance teaching of Sciences, in line with the Programme based budgeting process with indicators at Secondary level to improve performance in Sciences.
This is the official link for IYA 2009 is www.astronomy2009.org
|
