World Science Day for Peace and Development

On 10 November 2025, the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) marked World Science Day for Peace and Development with a special online panel, “Science in Action: Grassroots Pathways to Development.” The live Zoom and YouTube event brought together speakers from India, St Lucia and South Africa to showcase how community-rooted initiatives use science to tackle real social and economic challenges.

Panellists Cheyenne Polius (LUNAA Journeys, St Lucia), Anupama Pradeepan (C-STERC Women AstroPreneurs Collective, India) and Wilma De Souza (Usiko, South Africa) shared stories of astro-tourism, women’s science entrepreneurship and youth development through education and wilderness programmes. Their discussion highlighted the power of locally driven projects, the barriers to inclusive science engagement, and what needs to change for science to better serve society. The session, opened by IAU President Prof. Willy Benz and OAD Director Kevin Govender and closed by Ramasamy Venugopal, underlined that science for development starts with communities themselves.

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash