Support For African Participants
Dear NPoC and RC of Africa,
It is very important that we make sure as many as possible young people get involved in SGAC activities and the annual congress SGC. The biggest obstacle to to participate on SGC is financial problems and i thought we may be able to reduce this by doing the following.
1. Let's look for funding from local
and international organizations
specifically for african
participants. This is a big job
for regional coordinators.
2. let's form SGC working group to
discuss problems, and possible solutions to
these problems, of space
education in africa. We can send
the report of our discussion to
african
universities and space
agencies. That way we can bring
practical change and african
space agencies might show
interest to help african young
space enthusiasts get involved in
local and international events
I like to hear from every one
interested in this.
Bekele Tujuba
NPoC for Ethiopia
Bekele,
this is a really great idea!
Some comments:
1. trying to get support from loacl and international organisations for African delegates to come to Glasgow for the SGC is very important. Please keep in mind that we might already have contacts to international space companies, so before you contact any of those check with Kat Coderre, the SGC Fundraising Coordinator. It would look unprofessional if several people contacted the same companies. The same is true for local companies, so I suggest you coordiante among yourselves who is going to contact which company. Also we have some (digital) material that could help you show the companies what SGAC and SGC is.
2. It would be great to have a working group concerned about space education in Africa. Did you know that we have something very similar in our South American region? A lot of people from the whole region work together to increase space awareness and space education there. After you start a group in Africa, I suggest you to contact the South American RCs for some tips.
Let me know if you need any support for your two proposals.
I had wondered why people see raising fund in Africa as a very difficult task.It is the easiest thing to do.Why? The people involved are not willing to sacrifice.
I came to SGC in 2005 as a 200 Level underdraduate student and I was able to raise enough money for my trip with all the expenses fully paid.The same task which as at that time I was told then it was difficult.
Does that mean those who can sponsors are no longer there? No. Before the National Youth Space Initiative Program was cancelled the programme organized by OUTERSPACE AND ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE RESEARCH GROUP A.K.A SPACE CLUB NIGERIA,there were series of offer to sponsor the programme.
The truth of the matter is those who are suppose to take steps are not doing that.
Again,we are always being devided which is not always good.
I can say it one million times raising fund is the easiest thing to do.We have everything it takes to do that.
The only question we should ask is this why wouldnt any organization be willing to sponsor.
We can if and only we are willing to dare.
Hey Bekele!
I think it's a good idea... And I agree with Alex, that it will be really good to have a working group over there.
Here in south America we're trying to work together because we want to promote more and more space activities...
I'm from Venezuela, but if you need my help here I am. :)
Thanks Alex,
The digital materials are the kind of materials I was looking for. I am forming Space Generation Ethiopia Group(SGEG) and we will have our first meeting in few weeks. I may use the materials to show what SGAC is and its activities.
Regarding support for african participants, During SGC-2007 about ten delegates were accepted but only two or so made to India. I would like you and others to help us look for funding.
I am looking forward to hear from African NPoCs and Regional coordinators to form African Working group.
And also how can I contact Kat Coderre?
Hey Bekele,
you can find the digital material on this site:
http://www.spacegeneration.org/communications
You can find the contact details for Kat Coderre through the link (just click on her name in blue).
I can assure you that the SGAC Executive is trying very hard to get as much sponsors for SGC'08 as possible and that we are hoping to bring more delegates from developing countries to SGC 2008 than we already did in 2007.
Also I will try to get the attion of the African RCs and your fellow NPoCs towards your proposal of an African Working Group.
Let me know if what else I can do.
Thats a good idea,what we are trying to do in nigeria is to form a nigerian council by making sure that we establish a space club in strategic secondary schools and universities for the start then we proceed to forming a network of such schools. Gradually we will spread our tentacles to more schools,with that base we can fully participate in the african working group starting from the grass root, its very in place for now that the regional cordinators and NPoc form a steering commitee for the african working group and lets see how it will start from there,its also good for the SGAC executive to pivot and cordinate this effort. For the SGC 2008 in Glascow its very good to expose more people from the developing countries to attend such conferences to avail them much needed experience and personal touch,this in no doubt will encourage and help the developed countries know how to plan and execute thier programmes effectively.Also guidelines and ideas should be given on how to raise funds so that more people can attend such conferences,thanks very much alexcarl for kickstarting it.
For raising funds through the space agencies thats wonderful but it still lies within the purview of SGAC executive to give guidelines and working tools for e.g who writes such letters is it the NPoC'S or the executive if its the NPoc'S, how do they get SGAC letter head and other materials that will help them write such letters? Therefore the SGAC executive has a lot to do in this regards.
Hello Mike,
We do have guidelines on fundraising. Kat Coderre is the sponsorship coordinator for SGC this year. We have a list with contacts which we will be contacting. In fact, space agencies are only a small part of possible sponsors.
There are 2 important points to fundraising:
1. it needs to be done in a professional way. That's why we have a coordinator, so that not more than one person contacts a particular company or agency as otherwise we would not appear very professional and chances of getting funds will decrease. Let me tell you from experience that fundraising is quite difficult even if the cause is a good one.
2. We lack one thing, that Bekele mentioned, where all of you can do something yourselves. Local sponsors. You know your country better than anyone, you know the cultural do's and do-not's, you know companies or persons that can be approached.
Again, it is important to do it as professional as possible. That means, when coordinating fundraising efforts on local basis, know who does what so you don't step on your toes and companies know who they can contact. That is better than having 5 people contact the same person who for sure will get very confused and less likely to help.
We do have letters for the RCs and NPoCs (you should have them by now) that state that you are an offcial SGAC representative. We also have material online that can help you with fundraising. A sponsorship book for example, it explains what SGC is and what we do to give the possible sponsor an idea what they are giving money for.
Also, it is much more efficient to contact sponsors by telephone or in person than writing a letter or an email. A letter or an email is easily put away while you can do so much more when talking to a person. You can answer questions, you can tell them what we are doing, tell them why you want to go to SGC and why they should support you.
SGAC wants to help African delegates come to SGC but you also have to help us in succeeding.
I suggest the following three ways regarding fund raising.
1. Through SGAC
We identify local and international organizations and agencies (not contacted yet by SGAC) and suggest kat coderre to contact them.
2. Regional Coordinators
The regional coordinators should contact african potential sponsors after consulting with kat to avoid possible multiple contact.
3. NPoCs
NPoCs may also look for funding from organizations and agencies in their own country at least for their own expenses.
Let's pick the suitable means and start the job.
we must give priority to the big job, forming the working group, identify objectives, its outcomes for african space education, start discussions, invite local agencies and universities to participate. This way we may be able to increase organizational and individual involvement.
Well as the Regional Coordinator for Africa I will first has to ask for apology for I joined the discussion late, but still I can add something on the flesh to make it more healthier, well as we all know that Africa is a vast continent with different ecomonic backgrounds, to identify companies or international organization who will sponsor African delegates to attend the SGC 2008 is not that much easier, but it can be possible if we are coming from Tanzania, then we identify international organization within Tanzania and other local sponsors within Tanzania and ask for their sponsorship for our trip, that can absolutely be possible, this means that, as the NPoC you have the mandate to do that for your members and ask for sponsorship that can be for all of the delegates within your home country who applied for SGC.
I think that will help, but one more thing is that SGC is very important meeting for all the youth who want to revolutionalize their minds.
I real appreciate for such great idea, and real we need to do something so that more youth can be attracted to join the Space Generation and also for our governments to support our space activities and programmes.
I will do my best to make sure that this is going to happen.
Let us all move with the same spirit.
Castory Ntullu
SGAC NPoC for Tanzania
hi Mike and Castroy,
We must focus on the practical things we can do for SGC 2008 right now. a group with well defined objectives is essential.
As mike said forming networks of groups in universities and high schools is of great imput to the working group.We must make sure every national points of contacts are involved. what we should do in the mean time is to bring to attention to our respective affiliations and other space agencies in our countries about the working group.
Well!
All what you wish are within our capability and we are strongly working in them, and I would like to ensure you that the African Working Group got all the blessings from SGAC, and I think soon the project will be out, as it i strue that we need to make things in action and practical way, and infact as vibrant African youth who want the changes, real we need to have and we are going to have something that will be presented during the SGC.
You can keep on getting to me in case of anything Bekele.
Bekele, Castory, and Mike,
Please send email to sgcinfo@spacegeneration.org and also Kat@spacegeneration.org about this. We can update you on who is on our list of people to contact, give you information to contact people with and help you make these contacts.
Kevin
Dear Kevin!
I will do that, so that we can be systematic, as Alex said it is most unfair for more that one delegates to found themselves asking for sponsorship to the same organization, and we are doing this because I personal realized the importance of SGC, that is why if it could be my wish I would like for all the peole to attend.
Hello my colleagues we are beginning to converge somewhere,the formation of the Africa working group is not in doubt but we have to start networking among the NPoC's. I suggest Bekele should coordinate this effort, what I think we expect is getting in contact with the relevant SGAC representative as kevin has suggested and reaching back to us on what was discussed.Secondly we should start communicating amongst ourselves coordinated by the African regional contact, this will make us share ideas and map out strategy of what to do.
Hi Alexcarl,
Thank you for answering my questions.I want to inform you that in my country the first thing they look out for is an official letter stating your intentions then you can follow-up with telephone conversation and e-mails. As you rightly mentioned that you have letter headed paper and materials for NPoC'S,please can you scan and send me all the materials I need to start working. My e-mail address is elekics@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Hi Mike,
sorry I was quiet so long. Regarding the letter that shows you (or anyone else) is a NPoC for a specefic country for SGAC, I asked Marc our intern currently in Vienna about it and he told me that he sent out those letters to every NPoC by email. So you should have it by now. Please let me know if you don't, then I will make sure it weill be resend.
We have most of the material you need to start in digital form on this website:
http://www.spacegeneration.org/communications
Especially the trifold brochure with the quick facts about SGAC so that people know who we are and what we do.
To show potential sponsors what we do at SGC, they might also want to take a look at the final report of SGC last year.
http://glasgow.spacegeneration.org/index.php?q=fileshare/files/76/SGC_20...
Let me know if you need anything else.
Sorry that I am getting into this discussion only now. I have been extremely busy with plans to travel to Australia to do postgraduate study. Furthermore, I have been dooing a lot of travelling, which makes Internet access really difficult for me. I am very glad that a number of African NPoCs are discussing issues at a forum.
I have noticed that the following three things are being discussed:
1. Fundraisng for SGC 2008.
2. Formation of a working group to help solve space education problems in Africa.
Fundraising
I will contact Kat and furnish her with a list of potential sponsors that we in Africa would have come with. She and the fundraising team can add our list to theirs, if they have any such African sponsor contacts already. We can then work with Kat and her team on actually contacting these potential sponsors. Kevin mentioned that "we can update you on who is on our list of people to contact, give you information to contact people with and help you make these contacts." I think this is the way to do the fundraising thing.
Workgroup
Solving education problems is the key to solving a problem of underdevelopment. Similarly, solving space education problems is the first step to solving the lack of space awareness and enthusiasm that is deeply rooted and widespread across Africa. I suggest that we discuss this issue at an e-mail forum. It is nice to know that at least there are about 5 of us already - this number may go up once we start. I am suggesting an e-mail forum because that is more technically feasible than, say, a telecon.
Cheers.
Nyeng.
Dear African NPoCs,
I am so sorry for my silence i was working from up country where internet access was difficult
In fact i would strongly support Bekele's idea of looking for funds to eanble young spaces scientist to attend SGCs and in particular that of Glasgow. We have to see ways of raising those funds.
Dieudonne BIZIMANA
Tel :257 77 735 904
257 22 24 94 70
P.O.BOX 51 Bujumbura-Burundi
I'm glad that our fellows countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia are moving forward.It is a challenge for us Tanzanians who have interests in space generation activities.For real people here especially my fellow student are not aware of of the existence of these activities and though i believe that we are going to reach the same goal.
I need some ideas on how to make them aware.You inpsire us a lot.
cheer...
I do not totally agree that fund raising in Africa is very easy. Unless i come from a different Africa. So many times I have tried to do it but with dead ends. But i fully appreciate the ideas you guys have brought about and will try to use them. Wish me luck.
Elijah, K.
Yes charles we are here and we have to work really hard to make sure that we support fundraising issues for the upcoming SGC. I agree with ideas of using the local companies of particular countries in seeking for congress sposorship. Is not a very easy job but we should give it a try as somehow there could one who is willing to make a change through us!
So all NPoC's we should think of a means to grab the opportunity that the Congress has to offer by participating fully in it and make it a success.
Well!
It is good that we are all concern with the participation to SGC 2008, but we need to have in mind that the sponsorship is the best thing that we can do in these days which have remained, as it is important to every to attend the SGC, let us think on how we can get sponsor so that all can attend the SGC 2008.
Dear All,
i liked BEKELE IDEA ,
but i have a comment . beside talking about funds and so on .,
we must do a lot of Activities to let more people be aware of Space Generation Activities ,. whether we got Funded or not . we have a lot of edification to do . i agree completely with the e-Mail forum idea so much and i suggest also we present ourself in popular Social Websites like Facebook . we can create an organized group there for letting more people know about Us and our Activities ,and join us if they are interested . also other experienced members can give their experience there like our friends From south America
so what do you suggest as a name for the Group that will represent us in Facebook ??
at the end i am Glad to find enthusiasts from Africa :)
Hope to find ppl from my Country too ..
Thanks,
Ahmed
Dear All
This is wonderful topic and so much energy to make things happen. I am over whelmed by the Enthusiasm you have shown to solve the small yet important and crucial problem of monetary resource. My suggestion is to go for sustainable model, basic model to start with and then build on the model successfully.
NASA Announces Education Research Program Award Recipients
new
NASA Announces Education Research Program Award Recipients
new
NASA has awarded more than $8.5 million to colleges and universities nationwide to conduct research and technology development in areas of importance to NASA's mission. In addition to the research and technology development, the awards enable faculty development and higher education student support.
The selections are part of NASA's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR. The program is designed to assist states in developing partnerships between NASA research assets, academic institutions and industry. Enhancing the nation's academic research enterprise benefits states' economic viability and development, and contributes to the agency's research priorities.
A total of 13 proposals were selected for funding to colleges and universities in the following states: Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wyoming. Winning proposals were selected through a merit-based, peer-reviewed competition. The average award is $750,000 for a 3-year period.
For a list of selected proposals, visit:
For additional information about the NASA EPSCoR program, visit:
http://education.nasa.gov/epscor
For additional information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
SGC, might help to get some amount of fund for the needy....
Dear All
I would like to put forward the issue of Extanding the SgC' activity for hepling for the Funding to support the Space related activity for called so underdeveloped or underserved country or community etc...
Can we have the joint paper for the Learning by doing and earning to funding for space related activity...at upcoming SGC....
Best regards
Agravat Bipin B
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