Space Generation Congress 2006

The Space Generation brings their global presence to Valencia

The 2006 Space Generation Congress (SGC) kicked off in style today in Valencia ahead of the International Astronautical Congress. Youth delegates from 37 countries are contributing to the SGC by drafting a Global Youth Declaration that will reinstate the interests and aims of young thinkers: students and young professionals from different walks of life who are passionate about space exploration. Another important aspect of the congress is that delegates will get to advise on the future path and objectives of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). This aims to facilitate an efficient involvement of youth groups from around the world, and expand SGAC’s already impressive portfolio of projects.

Today, Tim Bailey, SGC event manager, jump-started the congress by describing new and exciting avenues that have been opened up to the public since the start of the private space-flight revolution and the rise of commercial ventures.

This year, SGC’s youngest participant is 17 years old, and has flown all the way from India to take part in this congress. This delegate represents the immense hard work and effort all delegates have contributed to, in order to participate in the workshops that will follow for the next 3 days. We wish that several other candidates could have joined us in person, but although we will miss the inputs of those delegates, the workshops will work to include contributions made via the online forums, which have been active for several months already.

At first, there were three

Chris Boshuizen, the newly appointed Executive Director of SGAC, gave an inspiring talk and showed a presentation (created by and traditionally given by Bob Richards) detailing how the forefathers of this "space generation" concept nurtured the seed to really bring like-minded young people together. [Editor's Note: In the 80's Bob Richards, Peter Diamandis and Todd Hawley jointly created SEDS, the Space Generation Foundation, and the International Space University. These gave rise to later projects like the X PRIZE Foundation and SGAC, paving the path for the personal spaceflight revolution currently underway.] He presented these and other success stories, highlighting the achievements of highly motivated young people. Chris himself is an icon for our generation along with Jim Volp, the global co-chair of Space Generation Advisory Council. Volp presented the unique status of SGAC within the United Nations framework, in addition to how the delegates can fit in and work with projects that will really change the world at the local, regional and international levels.

“Through these presentations, the delegates received numerous tools to aid their knowledge of the policy creation and implementation” pointed out Kevin Stube, who has been appointed as the Event Manager for the SGC congress in 2007 in Hyderabad, India. This future is already being created now in Valencia!

The conference also benefited from an online webcast, which was provided by courtesy of the International Space University. Through this unique interaction, delegates who could not make it to Spain shall get to review the activities and inspiration talks given throughout the congress. For details, please check out mms://sgf-webcast.isunet.edu/SpaceGeneration

Making a difference starts here, now

The seed is sown. We need to take this further. This was the clear message of the morning. The delegates broke away into their chosen workgroups to structure the Global Youth Declaration and the Strategic plan for SGAC. The spectrum of discussion topics ranged from long-term lunar/Martian exploration and settlement to access to space, how to increase the reach of media, PR and education regarding space to those who are yet to discover the full potential of space in their daily activities.

This year the Moon Mars Workshop delegates have chosen to concentrate on 5 main project groups - Life Science, Habitat design, Moon Base 2027 goals, Atmospheric and Interplanetary Transportation, and The Case for Humans in the Exploration of the Moon and Mars. “The anticipation and excitement within the groups buzzed around the auditorium and the intense brainstorming process resulted in a number of amazing and unique projects ideas. We could hardly pull the delegates away from their groups for a coffee break... can't wait for tomorrow!” reported Sarah Cook, co-architect of the Moon Mars Workshop

A word for today from the organizing committee

Thanks to everyone who is keeping an eye on our blog and on the webcast. Thanks to all the delegates who registered and are giving their input online, we value the efforts you put into those and hope to have your opinions reflected in our final documents. Thanks to Jim and Lin Burke who helped throughout the day and joined us in the task of getting our voices heard. Thanks to all the staff that have worked behind the scenes, around the clock, lugging bags for delegates and escorting them at times when jet lag and language barriers were making them dazed and confused. The local organizing committee arranged a fabulous feast at the exclusive Society of Agriculture & Sports and, last night, provided us with an awesome taste of the local tapas. Welcome also to our latest delegate from Venezuela!

Congress statistics so far:

Total delegates: 58
Numbers of countries represented: 37
Number of volunteer staff: 20
Moon Mars Workshop team: 20
Global Youth Vision: 1

Let’s make Space happen!
– Bee & Sanjoy, reporting from the Space Generation Congress headquarters at the Red Nest Hostel (2:49am, cheers!).

Life in the NEST

Here is quick look at life here in Valencia.

First, my last room at the Red Nest Hostle was set up for 4 people. Everything in the room was yellow! Most of the rooms have a special color or theme to them. My current room houses 6 people and is all done in blue.

I have been eating in the kitchen several nights in a row. The kitchen is located on the same floor as the computer terminals. There are baskets for each room to keep food and three refridgerators for storing cold things. There are two micorwaves, two sets of stovetop ranges for cooking, and all of the plates, pans, and utensils you need! The Local Team will be using the kitchen to make some local foods for the Welcome Reception on Wednesday night. It will be delicious!

A few nights ago I washed clothes. There is one washer and one dryer available--both are on the roof! This makes it easy to dry your things on a nearby clothes line instead of in the dryer. Each machine costs 2 euros per load. You must by the special tokens at the front desk. Be sure you do not start too late! The roof and lounge both close at 11:45 pm each night.

While you are on the roof, you can relax in a chair with some of the other delegates and discuss the furture of space exploration!

Going to the hostel

Arriving from the airport, I took the Aero-Bus to the train station and then the Metro. You can also walk to the hostel, but I wanted to learn about the Metro. The Delegate Information Pack describes walking to the hostel--a faster and cheaper alternative!

The picture on the left is the bridge over the Almeda metro stop near the hostel. Nice! The bridge and station were both designed by the same architect that designed the CAC.

The metro station is under the bridge with exits on both sides. From the top of the bridge you can see the Palace of Arts at the CAC. We will be using this metro stop to go to and from our SGC venue, UPV.

As you walk over the bridge, you will see this arch and pass by it on the right. Continue through the kids park and folow the signs for "<-- c/La Paz".