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SUMMARY:O11 - Connecting People through Astronomy: A Decade of Regional Co
 operation\, Education\, and Outreach with the IAU South West and Central A
 sian Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SWCA ROAD)
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261123T084500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261123T090000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261112T145812Z
UID:indico-contribution-1079@indico.narit.or.th
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Ani Davtyan (Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO
 ))\nEstablished in 2015 and hosted by the Byurakan Astrophysical Observato
 ry (BAO) in Armenia\, the International Astronomical Union’s South West 
 and Central Asian Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SWCA ROAD)
  has spent a decade connecting people and institutions through astronomy. 
 Bringing together Armenia\, Georgia\, Iran\, Kazakhstan\, Tajikistan\, and
  Türkiye\, the Regional Office promotes cooperation across three intercon
 nected pillars: professional astronomy\, astronomy education\, and public 
 outreach.\n\nOver the past decade\, SWCA ROAD has developed a diverse prog
 ramme of regional activities\, including Regional Astronomical Workshops (
 RAW)\, Regional Astronomical Summer Schools (RASS)\, and joint workshops t
 hat bring together astronomers\, educators\, students\, and outreach pract
 itioners. These initiatives create opportunities for knowledge exchange\, 
 professional development\, and the sharing of educational practices across
  national and cultural boundaries.\n\nInstitutional partnerships have furt
 her strengthened regional cooperation\, including Memorandum of understand
 ing with the Iranian Astronomical Society and the Georgian National Astron
 omical Observatory in 2025.\n\nSWCA ROAD has also expanded its activities 
 beyond its geographical region by fostering interregional collaboration. A
  key milestone was the First Inter-Regional Astronomical Summer School (1I
 RASS)\, organized in 2023 in collaboration with the Arab World Regional Of
 fice. Further engagement with regional offices and international instituti
 ons has created additional opportunities for sharing expertise\, developin
 g joint initiatives\, and connecting astronomy communities worldwide.\n\nT
 his contribution reflects on SWCA ROAD’s first decade\, exploring how re
 gional networks can connect people through shared scientific interests\, s
 trengthen astronomy education\, and broaden public engagement with science
 . It highlights the importance of sustained partnerships\, collaborative l
 earning\, and cross-cultural exchange in developing astronomy initiatives 
 that respond to diverse regional needs. Looking ahead\, SWCA ROAD aims to 
 expand participation in regional activities\, strengthen inclusive astrono
 my education and public outreach\, develop a regional Virtual Observatory 
 network for research and education\, and foster interdisciplinary collabor
 ation.\n\nThe experience of SWCA ROAD demonstrates how astronomy can serve
  as a bridge between communities\, institutions\, and cultures\, creating 
 opportunities for learning\, cooperation\, and wider public engagement. It
  offers insights into how regional and interregional partnerships can cont
 ribute to a more connected and inclusive global astronomy community.\n\nht
 tps://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/1079/
LOCATION:Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort Ballroom II
URL:https://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/1079/
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