Leading Lights of Space Exploration to Hold Congress in Scotland
Scotland has been chosen to host the Association of Space Explorers’ Planetary Congress in 2007.
The event is the major forum for professional exchange among American, Russian and other countries' astronauts and cosmonauts. More than 100 men and women who have flown in space are expected to visit Scotland to attend the congress in September of next year. It will be the first time that the UK has hosted the event.
Deputy Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister Allan Wilson made the announcement in Glasgow’s Science Centre today (13 June 2006), at the national final of Tomorrow’s Inventors, an enterprise programme organised by Careers Scotland to encourage creativity and innovation among primary school children.
Mr Wilson said,
"This is a very important event for Scotland - and in particular for our young people."
"Science, technology and creativity will be central to Scotland's future success. Promoting science education within our youth is a key part of this process and I am confident this event will stimulate a great deal of interest in schools."
"Up to 100 astronauts and cosmonauts will visit our schools over the course of the Congress and we want 100,000 young people across Scotland to meet someone who has played a key role in 50 years of space exploration."
The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an international non-profit professional and educational organisation of more than 300 men and women from 29 nations who have flown in space. The event will be the 20th Planetary Congress and comes 50 years after the space age began in 1957 when the former Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world's first man-made satellite.
Key to the success of Scotland’s bid to host the conference is the unique relationship that Careers Scotland has developed with NASA and its astronauts, scientists and engineers. The partnership has been formed through Careers Scotland’s Space School, a unique initiative supported by the Scottish Executive and the International Space Community. The programme aims to increase the participation and motivation of school students in science, engineering and technology and links a number of Scottish pupils and schools with NASA scientists.
At today’s announcement the Minister was joined by three members of the Executive Committee of ASE: Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut, Sergei Avdeev, Russian cosmonaut and Karol Bobko, retired American astronaut.
Chris Hadfield said:
“We are very excited about holding our 20th Planetary Congress here in Scotland; on behalf of the international Executive Committee of the Association of Space Explorers I would like to thank Careers Scotland for the gracious invitation and as well congratulate them on the magnificent work they are doing to increase student interest in science, mathematics and engineering. These young people will be the next generation of space explorers and we astronauts and cosmonauts are honoured to be able to participate in helping these students achieve their dreams.”
The scientists are in Scotland as guests of Careers Scotland to support the Festival of Science and Enterprise 2006, a two week celebration of science and technology that helps young people understand how the subjects can lead to exciting career choices.
The Planetary Congress in 2007 will include a day that is dedicated to community and education activities and Careers Scotland aims to introduce the astronauts and cosmonauts to around 100,000 young people at events throughout Scotland.
Alex Blackwood, head of enterprise in education, Careers Scotland, said:
“Careers Scotland aims to motivate and inspire young people through a number of career and enterprise education activities. By introducing Scottish pupils to positive role models, we intend to give them the confidence and motivation to reach for their own goals. We are thrilled that ASE has chosen Scotland as the host country for its Planetary Congress. Science and technology are crucial to the success of Scotland’s economy and the astronauts and cosmonauts will be a real inspiration to everyone they meet.”
Careers Scotland worked with Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians to ensure that ASE selected Scotland as the destination for the Planetary Congress 2007. The bid was supported by the Edinburgh Convention Bureau and Edinburgh City Council and the Planetary Congress will be based in the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, from 17 to 21 September 2007.
Stephen Gallagher, Director of Global Connections at Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians, said:
“We are delighted that Edinburgh, and Scotland, has been selected to host this event. Not only will it help to enhance the capital's reputation as an outstanding location for conferences and events but it will also underline Scotland's strengths in science and innovation to a worldwide audience and raise awareness amongst young people and our future workforce of the exciting opportunities that a career in science can lead to.”
Sue Stuart, chief executive of Edinburgh Convention Bureau, said:
"The importance of winning such a prestige international conference is its confirmation of Edinburgh as a star global business tourism location.”
The Rt. Hon. Lesley Hinds, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said:
"I'm delighted that the Association of Space Explorers has decided to hold its 2007 Congress in Edinburgh. It is a particularly apt choice following our designation as the first "European Space City" by the European Space Agency when it gathered here in 2001."
13/06/06
