Karman Week 2023: Global Space Leaders Converge in Maldives to Foster Space Exploration and Expertise
The Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO) in collaboration with The Karman Project, a globally renowned non-profit foundation, is set to host the flagship event 'Karman Week 2023' from November 1st to 5th, 2023. This event will bring together a high-level delegation of Karman Fellows, comprising leaders from the global space sector, to the Maldives, with a special focus on engaging Maldivian students.
The highlight of Karman Week 2023 is the open invitation public panel discussion about careers in space, organized in collaboration with the Ministry for Higher Education and the Maldives National University, scheduled for November 1st, 2023, from 09:39 to 11:00 AM at the MNU Auditorium. The event aims to pave the way for the future of space exploration in the Maldives.
The event will witness the convergence of 15 global space leaders at Six Senses Laamu, a renowned sustainable resort in the Maldives, marking a crucial milestone in the country's journey towards establishing its own national space ecosystem. The collective goal is to showcase international cooperation in action, with a focus on leveraging satellite technologies to enhance the nation's climate resilience initiatives through shared expertise.
Hannah Ashford, Managing Director of The Karman Project, expressed the shared commitment of The Karman Project and MSRO towards advancing space technology for the betterment of the planet. Through Karman Week, they aim to combine their collective expertise and resources to empower the Maldives in building a sustainable and resilient national space program.
The 2023 cohort of Karman Fellows, selected for their outstanding professional accomplishments, includes astronauts, space agency directors, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and artists from 12 countries.
Karman Week 2023 will feature comprehensive workshops, brainstorming sessions, field trips, and local outreach engagements, providing a fertile ground for innovative ideas and cross-cultural knowledge exchange. Participants will delve into crucial topics such as climate monitoring systems, capacity building, effective space policy design, and the current state of space exploration.
Highlights of the program include:
- A public panel discussion in Malé about careers in space, organized in coordination with the Maldives Ministry for Higher Education and the Maldives National University.
- An intensive Space-for-Maldives Workshop, in collaboration with the Maldives Underwater Initiative, an award-winning marine conservation initiative.
- A visit to Hithadhoo School, where Fellows will work alongside students to design postcards to be sent into space with Club for the Future.
- Engagement activities with the guests of Six Senses Laamu, including guided stargazing, an inspirational talk, and art projects.
- An internal “Chatham House Day”, addressing pertinent issues and challenges facing the future of the space sector.
- Field trips, including snorkeling and scuba diving to experience the biodiversity of the Maldivian coral reefs.
Madin Maseeh, President of the Maldives Space Research Organisation, emphasized the historic significance of hosting Karman Week in the Maldives, marking the nation's entry into a vital global dialogue in the space sector.
The decision to host this distinguished annual Fellowship Week in the Maldives follows The Karman Project’s participation in the inaugural Space for Island Nations Conference earlier this year, where critical topics related to resilient communities, the 'Blue Ocean Economy', equatorial opportunities, and new space policy-making were discussed.
The Karman Project, MSRO, Six Senses Laamu, and the Maldives Underwater Initiative are committed to a longer-term vision for the development of “Digital Earth Maldives”, a robust monitoring system for the nation.
The Karman Project extends its sincere gratitude to its esteemed supporting partners, particularly Six Senses Laamu for hosting the delegation, MSRO and the Maldives Underwater Initiative for co-designing the event, Trans Maldivian Airways for official transfers, and Intour Maldives as the official travel partner for MSRO.