<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2180" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri><STRONG>ANNOUNCEMENT:<BR>INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY
- 2009</STRONG></FONT></DIV><FONT face=Calibri size=2>
<DIV><BR>In December 2007, the United Nations declared 2009 as the
<STRONG>International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009)</STRONG>. The vision of the
IYA2009, in line with the global IYA vision, is to help the citizens of southern
Africa rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time
sky, and thereby engage in a personal sense of wonder, discovery and an
appreciation of astronomy. The primary focus of IYA2009 is to market the impact
that astronomy has made on our understanding of the solar system and the
universe, and to use this dynamic science to attract and retain students in the
natural sciences. The theme for IYA2009 is <STRONG>“The Universe: Yours to
Discover”</STRONG>. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>IYA2009 has identified the following as its primary goals and
objectives:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>• Increase scientific awareness;<BR>• Promote widespread access to new
knowledge and observing experiences;<BR>• Empower astronomical communities in
developing countries;<BR>• Support and improve formal and informal science
education;<BR>• Provide a modern image of science and scientists;<BR>•
Facilitate new networks and strengthen existing ones;<BR>• Improve the
gender-balanced representation of scientists at all levels and promote greater
involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and engineering
careers; and<BR>• Facilitate the preservation and protection of the world’s
cultural and natural heritage of dark skies in places such as urban oases,
national parks and astronomical sites.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>CALL FOR PROPOSALS: IYA2009</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Department of Science and Technology has earmarked funds to support
projects and activities to be implemented through various SET stakeholders
around South Africa. These implementations need to assist in the realisation of
the vision of IYA2009 through the promotion of astronomy amongst the following
target groups, with a focus on building and supporting human resources:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>A. Educational Institutions (schools, universities): in order to impact
strongly on the current education system through:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>A.1 Educational resource development and distribution<BR>A.2 Educator
development<BR>A.3 Learner development<BR>A.4 Promotion of astronomy related
careers</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>B. Public: in order to keep people informed and create a broad awareness of
the day- and night-time sky through:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>B.1 Public resource development and distribution<BR>B.2 Astronomy
communication capacity building and implementation<BR>B.3 Public programmes and
events<BR>B.4 Astronomy and media</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR><STRONG>DEADLINE</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The deadline for submitting proposals is close of business, Friday 13
February 2009. Submissions received after this date will not be considered.
Applications are encouraged to submit their proposals earlier where
possible.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>DOWNLOADS</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>To download this announcement as well as the application form and terms of
reference/project brief,<BR>kindly visit the <STRONG>SAASTA</STRONG> website: <A
href="http://www.saasta.ac.za">http://www.saasta.ac.za</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>