> Curious about the future of global space governance? 🌍🚀 Discover the bold vision for a Space Congress: a truly decentralised, inclusive gathering reimagining the legal and cultural commons of outer space, including everything from ground-breaking legal committees to cosmic-themed dinner debates. Dive in for a detailed blueprint!
> The Vision for a Global Space Congress: Building the Space Commons
The concept of the "Space Congress" is a proposal for a global, decentralised event designed to shape the future of outer space governance. The aim is to foster a space commons—a globally shared domain defined by participatory legal frameworks and open collaboration among nations, including those without established space programmes. This summary expands upon the original ideas, clarifies objectives, and explores the structural and operational aspects of the proposal in detail.
# Concept and Objectives The Space Congress would serve as an ongoing, evolving institution focused on two main aims: - Defining the Space Commons: Creating a shared understanding and legal constitution for the global commons of outer space, ensuring that it is accessible and beneficial for all, not just the current, dominant spacefaring nations. - Inclusive Participation: Deliberately attracting involvement from non-traditional participants. This includes countries new to space activity and other groups interested in the commons structure or constitutional assemblies that align with the spirit of open, global governance. The Congress would explore frameworks rooted in the tradition of the legal commons, with particular focus at space.legalcommons.org—a conceptual namespace for this endeavour.
# Organisational Structure and Strategic Approach The proposal envisions a slow build-up to the initial Congress through careful institutional development. Key aspects include: ### International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and Legal Committee - Notably, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) lacks a space law committee, a gap that was identified as a strategic opportunity. - Historically, the IAF had such a committee in the 1960s, which later separated to form a different, now-independent body (the specific organisation is not named in the transcript). - The proposed Space Congress aims to launch a renewed legal committee at this event, providing an anchor for legal discussions within the IAF and the broader astronautical community.
# Core Activities and Revenue Streams The Congress would be structured to be financially sustainable, engaging in four main types of activities: 1. The Congress Event: An annual or biennial event, aiming to be the world's most prestigious and inclusive space governance gathering. 2. Publications: Producing papers, reports, and analyses relevant to space law and commons governance. 3. Educational Courses: Offering learning opportunities for diverse stakeholders, from professionals to students. 4. Consulting: Providing expertise, both through central operations and associated legal entities, to advise on space law and policy. These activities ensure continuous engagement and revenue throughout the year, not just during the formal Congress event.
# Partnerships and Thematic Branding - The Congress is closely related, thematically and organisationally, to "Hitchhikers.Earth" and other initiatives inspired by the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". - There is significant conceptual and logistical overlap between the "Space Congress" and the "Hitchhiker Space Congress", previously planned for the COSPO Symposium in Cyprus. - Shared digital infrastructure (event management systems, fundraising, etc.) will support both events, allowing resources, participants, and expertise to cross-pollinate.
# Space Congress Fellows To expand engagement and content, the proposal includes creating a "Fellows" programme: - Role: "Space Congress Fellows" (or Hitchhiker Fellows) would be researchers tasked with field work, attending existing space law conferences worldwide, networking, organising pop-up events, and conducting interviews. - Support: Each Fellow would receive funding for travel and research focusing on specific aspects of space law, commons governance, or adjacent fields. - Diversity: The intended approach includes scouting venues in both traditional and non-traditional locations related to space history and the future. This encourages involvement from outside the G7 or Western mainstream. The process for selecting Fellows is designed to be adaptable—starting with practical, founder-driven selection and evolving toward more democratic or participatory models as the Congress matures.
# Rotating Global Venues & Digital Infrastructure - The Congress will rotate among various international venues, emphasising countries with emerging space interests or historical relevance, instead of centring on traditional locations. - Alongside in-person events, an integrated digital platform will link various gatherings, talks, and activities, giving the impression of a unified, global event despite decentralised logistics.
# Engaging Wider Audiences The tone and style of the Congress aim to be open and engaging, comparable to major science festivals (such as Comic-Con or the Science Museum): - In addition to the legal and policy core, the Congress intends to welcome the public and popular science communities, drawing on themes from science fiction, futures thinking, and speculative governance.
# Outreach and Visibility - Fellows may attend existing conferences in advance of the main Congress to promote the initiative, recruit participants, and raise funds.
# Ancillary Programming: Art and Culture
# "Restaurant From the Future" Dinners A creative, cost-effective initiative accompanies the Congress: - Theme: Inspired by Douglas Adams's "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", these are pop-up theatre dinners and discussion events with a futuristic, space-themed flair. - Format: Ranges from small gatherings to larger, immersive dinner talks, using theatrical menus, video projection, and even virtual/augmented reality. - Purpose: These dinners serve both as accessible public engagement and as a source of recorded content (podcasts, interviews) for ongoing media work. - Logistics: Designed for low barriers to entry—piggybacking on other conferences, using local restaurants, and requiring minimal travel.
# Governance and Evolution - The Congress' organisational methods are intentionally open-ended, evolving in response to participant feedback and practical considerations. - Selection of Fellows, board members, and other roles may start informally and transition toward more structured, possibly democratic systems as the project grows. - The founders encourage proposals for better organisational forms and constitutional amendments over time, maximising inclusivity and adaptability.
# Funding, Partnerships, and Next Steps - Fundraising and sponsorship are practical priorities, with a focus on assembling the necessary expertise and securing backing from both traditional and non-traditional supporters. - As the Congress and associated groups (like Hitchhikers) converge, shared resources (project management, software, academic networks) will be leveraged for efficiency.
# Explore Further If you are interested in global commons, space law, participatory governance, or cultural innovation at the frontiers of science, the Space Congress initiative invites your engagement—whether as a Fellow, partner, sponsor, or curious observer.
# See
- Bootstrapping The Space Congress - Space commons - Legal commons - International Astronautical Federation - Spacefaring Nations - Space law - Comic-Con - Science Museum - Douglas Adams - Theatre dinner
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