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ING has endorsed the 'Washington
Charter' for communicating astronomy with the public (the Statement of
the
'Communicating Astronomy to the
Public' Conference, held in Washington, DC, 2003 October 1-3). The Washington Charter is an initiative of the
IAU Division XII Working Group on Communicating Astronomy with the Public.
CHARGE
As our world grows ever more complex and the pace of scientific discovery
and technological change quickens, the global community of professional
astronomers needs to communicate more effectively with the public.
Astronomy enriches our culture, nourishes a scientific outlook in society,
and addresses important questions about humanity's place in the universe.
It contributes to areas of immediate practicality, including industry,
medicine, and security, and it introduces young people to quantitative
reasoning and attracts them to scientific and technical careers. Sharing
what we learn about the universe is an investment in our fellow citizens,
our institutions, and our future. Individuals and organizations that
conduct astronomical research - especially those receiving public funding
for this research - have a compelling obligation to communicate their
results and efforts with the public for the benefit of all.
PRINCIPLES OF ACTION
Funding Agencies Should:
- Mandate and fund public outreach and communication in all projects and
grant programs;
- Develop infrastructure and linkages to assist with the organization
and
dissemination of outreach results (including information, materials,
etc.);
- Continuously emphasize the importance of such efforts to project and
research managers;
- Recognize public outreach and communication plans and efforts through
proposal selection criteria and decisions and annual performance awards;
and,
- Encourage international collaboration on public outreach and
communication activities.
Professional Astronomical Societies Should:
- Strongly endorse standards for public outreach and communication;
- Assemble best practices, formats, and tools that will aid in effective
public outreach and communication;
- Work to promote professional respect and recognition of public
outreach
and communication;
- Make public outreach and communication a visible and integral part of
the activities and operations of the respective societies; and,
- Encourage greater linkages with successful ongoing efforts of amateur
astronomy groups and others.
Universities, Laboratories, Research Organizations, and Other Institutions
Should:
- Declare public outreach and communication a clear priority for all
departments and personnel;
- Actively recognize public outreach and communication efforts when
making
decisions on hiring, tenure, compensation, and awards;
- Provide appropriate institutional support (e.g., funding,
infrastructure, personnel, training, etc.) to enable and assist with
public outreach and communication efforts;
- Collaborate with funding agencies and other support organizations to
help ensure that public outreach and communication efforts are efficient
and have the greatest possible impact;
- Develop appropriate formal public outreach and communication training
for all researchers; and,
- Integrate communication training (e.g., writing, speaking, etc.) into
the academic courses of study for the next generation of researchers.
Individual Researchers Should:
- Actively participate - directly or indirectly - in communicating the
results and benefits of astronomical research directly to the public;
- Convey the importance of public outreach and communication to all team
members; and,
- Instill this sense of responsibility in the next generation of
researchers.
Final Version (December 18, 2003)
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