To allow for extension and expansion of space endeavours in the coming decades, it is important to maintain a flow of human resources from universities into space agencies and industry.

The IAF this year introduces two new categories of participants, fully-retired persons and young professionals. These two groups are closely related and important for the IAF in its mandate to further develop a global network including all generations for the benefit of its members.

This year the IAF has asked the Space Generation, as a volunteer organisation of young space professionals, to help them in organising this event.

The Young & Retired Professionals Programme has three goals:
1. To improve access to the IAC
2. To initiate a network of retired & young professionals
3. To stimulate exchange between the two groups.

These goals have translated into the following: • .Reduced fees for the IAC and Space Generation Congress • .Interaction with the distinguished Plenary Speakers • .Young and Retired Professional Pairing • ;Q&A with exemplary young and retired professionals • .A number of social events for stimulating informal networking • .Open access to all normal IAC events and benefits Many of the Young Professionals who will meet at the IAC will eventually become leaders in the aerospace industry or will take important roles in space agencies, research institutes and the like. The networks that Young Professionals will develop while at the IAC will include their future business partners and collaborators. Having contacts in other countries will have significant influence in their way of thinking, allowing for greater international collaboration and perhaps even a different outlook than the leaders of today offering interesting debates and exchange of views.

In addition, by connecting Young with Retired Professionals the Programme aims to foster exchange of ideas, perspectives, work experience and knowledge to capitalize on the vast experience the Retired Professionals have obtained during their careers while allowing retired professionals a new avenue to participate in space.

In summary, to ensure a fruitful future for the space sector, investment has to be made in all stages of the space career path. To maintain and improve on the supply of Young Professionals for the space sector, the IAF believes it is important to invest in both Students and Young Professionals, forming a conduit which allows the flow from university into space agency and industry.

With this in mind, we wish to invite you to participate to the Young & Retired Professionals Programme 2006.

Jim Volp, Space Generation Co-Chairman
Kevin Stube, Space Generation Executive Secretary
Douglas K. R. Robinson, University of Twente, the Netherlands
Chris Boshuizen, Space Generation Executive Director


For more information, please contact Jim Volp

The Young and Retired Professionals Programme is made possible with the financial support of: the Napolitano Foundation, Space-Careers.com and DutchSpace.