Who are we?
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 15 000 members representing more than 150 countries.
SGAC was conceived at UNISPACE III in 1999, whereby states resolved, as part of the Vienna Declaration, “To create a council to support the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, through raising awareness and exchange of fresh ideas by youth. The vision is to employ the creativity and vigour of youth in advancing humanity through peaceful uses of space”. SGAC holds Permanent Observer status at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) and regularly takes part in the annual meeting, as well as its Legal and Scientific and Technical Subcommittees. SGAC holds consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC), contributing to discussions on the role of space in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
What do we do?
SGAC works diligently to raise awareness among the next generation of space professionals on a global scale working together with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in promoting UN workshops and activities, and in supporting SGAC members to attend UNOOSA workshops, events and High-Level Fora. The Space Generation Advisory Council is a permanent observer to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) as well as the Science and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) and the Legal Subcommittee (LSC) and sends various SGAC members as representatives to these committee sessions each year. By hosting international, regional, local and thematic events, as well as attending various events globally, SGAC provides its members with opportunities to expand their knowledge of international space policy issues as well as space topics of a scientific or technical nature, think creatively about the future direction of humanity’s use of space, and engage with current leaders from space agencies, industry and academia. SGAC stewards the views and opinions of students and young professionals to ensure their creativity and vigour is employed for the advancement of humanity through the peaceful uses of outer space.