VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 30 September 2023 – SGAC is very pleased and honoured to announce that the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 SGAC SpaceGen Ambassador Award!
Through the SpaceGen Ambassador Award programme, SGAC wants to acknowledge organisations that deeply care for our generation, our talents, skills and needs that actively support us as the ‘next’ generation of space leaders, empower us as such and enable us to grow. The award is presented to an organisation from the space sector, either governmental, non-governmental, or private company that demonstrates genuine care for the next generation, actively supporting and empowering young space professionals and students.
In 2023, the award is presented to IAF for the high level of cooperation and engagement, demonstrating ongoing support for the next generation with constantly new initiatives within the Federation and with partnered organisation, caring and mentoring students and young space professionals, and allowing them to develop the ‘know-how’ for a progressive space career through top-level events all around the world.
“The IAF is honoured to receive the prestigious SGAC SpaceGen Ambassador Award.
The increasing role of space activities in our daily lives, as well as the challenges to be tackled on Earth call for highly skilled future leaders. The Next Generation represents a pillar of the IAF mission. Through its committees as well as its numerous initiatives advocating Youth, the IAF actively support the workforce of tomorrow to empower, foster, and encourage students and young professionals to create a thick web where the role of emerging talents is enhanced and valorised.”, says Christian Feichtinger, IAF Executive Director.
“SGAC and IAF are two natural partners: we gather the leaders of the future, and the IAF gathers the leaders of the present. We are grateful for the support and attention that the IAF dedicates to the young generations, and we are delighted to provide our views and energy for the success of the Federation’s activities. ” say, Hamza Hameed and Antonino Salmeri, SGAC Co-Chairs.
Valentina Luchetti, SGAC Acting Executive Director, commented on the news saying “Through the invaluable partnership between the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), we continually nurture the aspirations of the next generation in the space sector. The IAF’s enduring support and collaboration have been pivotal in empowering SGAC members worldwide, providing a platform to develop crucial skills for their future careers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable contributions of individuals like Mr. Christian Feichtinger, and, notably, our sincere appreciation to IAF President Mr. Clay Mowry, for his unwavering dedication and commitment to fostering our organization’s growth and fostering a vibrant space community.”
The 2023 SGAC SpaceGen Ambassador Award was presented at the closing ceremony of the 21st Space Generation Congress (SGC), held on 30th September 2023, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The SGC is the annual meeting of the Space Generation Advisory Council always held in conjunction with the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) at the same hosting Country.
About SGAC
The Space Generation Advisory Council in Support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications is a global non-governmental, non-profit (US 501(c)3) organisation and network which aims to represent university students and young space professionals ages 18-35 to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the SGAC network of members, volunteers and alumni has grown to more than 27 000 members representing more than 165 countries.
About IAF
Founded in 1951, the International Astronautical Federation is the world’s leading space advocacy body. The IAF has 513 members from 77 countries, including all leading space agencies, companies, societies, associations and institutes worldwide. Following its theme – “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity” and its motto “Connecting @ll Space People for a Sustainable Future” – the Federation advances knowledge about space and fosters the development and application of space assets by advancing global cooperation. As organizer of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), and other meetings on specific subjects, the IAF actively encourages the development of space for peaceful purposes and supports the dissemination of scientific and technical information related to space.
Nominations to the SpaceGen Ambassador Award will be open again in 2024.
For info, please contact [email protected].
