N° 62–2002: Space and daily life: young people around the world have their say
2 October 2002
The European Space Agency (ESA) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are jointly participating in World Space Week 2002 by organising a two-day event focussing on the International Space Station (ISS) at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, on 6/7 October.
On 7 October the award ceremony for the winners of the essay contest organized by UNESCO for high-school students on the theme “Space and Daily Life” will take place. The contest received 300 responses from around the world. A high-level expert committee, including representatives from the International Space University and Canadian Space Agency, selected the winners on 10 September. With about the same numbers of girls and boys taking part, six girls and one boy had their essays selected.
Carike Bosman from South Africa wrote the most inspiring essay. In her work, the 17-year-old describes humankind’s enthusiasm for space: “Fascination, wonder and even obsession with space and in particular human space travel, have existed throughout many generations.”
The special ESA prize for ‘Best European Essay’ goes to Alastair Evans of the United Kingdom. In his work, Alastair stresses the benefits that space exploration brings to our daily lives: “In the history of space exploration and in the foreseeable future, work has been peaceful and international, promoting good relationships between countries.”
Carike and Alastair will both travel to ESTEC for the special award ceremony on 7 October. To make their day at ESTEC even more memorable, the prize winners will be escorted by European astronaut Umberto Guidoni, the first European astronaut on board the International Space Station. Umberto will take the special guests on a Virtual Reality Tour through the ISS and share his personal experiences of space.
ESA experts from the ISS programme will escort the guests on a special tour of the ISS User Information Centre where models of the European contribution to the space station are displayed.
Media interested in attending this award ceremony and the special tour with Umberto Guidoni should contact Michel van Baal at ESA/ESTEC Communication Office, tel. + 31 71 565 3006, Michel.van.Baal@esa.int
Last chance to register for special public tours on Sunday 6 October
The World Space Week celebrations at the User Information Centre in Noordwijk on Sunday 6 October will include special tours focussing on the International Space Station. The general public (from 12 years up) can register for these tours via: http://www.esa.int/worldspaceweek
For further information, please contact:
Barber Uijl
MSM/HS
Tel: +31(0)71.565.4626
E-mail : Barber.Uijl@esa.int
ESA Media Relations Service
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690
For further information:
ESA Media Relations Service
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690