Space activities are now integral to daily personal and global activities. They contribute to socio-economic and political progress, environmental sustainability, as well as scientific advancement. The World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey project that the global space economy will be $1.8 trillion in about a decade from now.

Given the role that space plays in the international scene, including serving as a tool for peace and security, organizations and countries need to leverage on space cooperation in order to advance their internal and international interests.

Space is a dynamic and complex mix of competition, conflict and cooperation. It is also described as a congested, contested and competitive domain.

This course (previously called ‘Maximising International Space Cooperation’) is aimed at equipping professionals, policy makers and representatives, with the knowledge and skills needed for strategic space cooperation and diplomacy.

Participants will learn how to draft policy and governance frameworks to promote responsible, sustainable, and inclusive participation in space activities. They will also understand how to link national space policies with national interests (internal and international) while responding to local and international obligations. 

Beginning with international relations theory, the course explores systems, means and tools of space cooperation and diplomacy.

Expected learning outcomes

• Appreciate the importance of space cooperation

• Learn to utilise the tools of space diplomacy

• Understand how national interests influence space cooperation, trade, technology transfer and exports

• Understand the nexus between foreign policy and space policy

• Ability to engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions and negotiations

• Enhanced understanding of space policy and law frameworks, as well as their application in the African context.

Who should attend?

• Government officials

• Council members

• Public servants

• Foreign service officers

• Science/Space attachés

• Organisation/Team Leads

• Journalists

• Young professionals

• Students

Benefits of participation

• Gain knowledge in international relations theory and practice

• Understand rationale, ways and tools of international cooperation

• Gain knowledge about space policy, law and governance

• Acquire skills in space diplomacy

• Earn a verifiable certificate after completion

• Become part of the ASLI Network

Key topics to be covered

• The outer space environment: what, where, why and how?

• Benefits and applications of space exploration

• Concepts in space cooperation and diplomacy

• International relations theory and applications to outer space

• Space geopolitics

• UN space treaties, principles and resolutions

• Metrics for measuring capability for space partnerships

• Role of visiting missions and embassies

• Tools and means for space cooperation

• Gender mainstreaming

• International Space Organisations

• Space-Cyber-Nuclear Nexus

Facilitators for 2024

• Prof. Namrata Goswami (Independent scholar and international affairs expert)

• Dr Sarah-Jane Gill (Chief of Staff, UK Staff Agency)

• Ms. Julia Selman Ayetey (Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana)

• Dr. Taslim Alade (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, The Netherlands)

• Ms. Lami Omale (Office of the Legal Counsel, African Union Commission)

• Prof. Paul Baki (Technical University of Kenya)

• Ms Joan Chesoni (Director, Kenyan Space Agency Board)

• Dr. Adigun Ade Abiodun (Founder, African Space Foundation; and Cofounder, ASLI)

• Dr. Valanathan Munsami (Deputy CEO, Saudi Space Agency; and Cofounder, ASLI)

• Mr. Etim Offiong (Cofounder, ASLI)