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Lessons Learnt and Challenges of Planning and Coordinating the IAU 100th Anniversary Celebrations (page 14)
Rivero González, J.; Russo, P.; Downer, B.; van Dishoeck, E.; Canas, L.

Summary

The International Astronomical Union centenary (IAU100) comprised a year-long worldwide public engagement initiative that celebrated the fascinating past century of astronomical discoveries as well as the importance of astronomy for education, development, diplomacy and outreach. Through the coordination of the IAU100 Secretariat and the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), a combined worldwide effort from the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs) network, IAU bodies, astronomical organisations and astronomy communicators outside academia such as amateur astronomers, teachers, science centres and planetariums implemented the IAU100 ambitious goals. The approach and methodology used favoured the wide participation of grassroots organisations, which overwhelmingly responded by organising around 66% of the over 5000 registered activities in 143 countries. Moreover, the IAU 100th anniversary celebrations also benefited the IAU NOC network, both by the increase in the number of countries involved and the increased levels of engagement. An exploratory study about the impact on the network helps us better understand the impact and stress on the national representatives, highlighting the type of activities and numbers of them that could be sustainable in the future. These findings have helped the IAU OAO to plan sustainable future actions for the NOC network to keep celebrating astronomy Under One Sky.