Electronic Proceedings - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

There is a need to know and to have information about other development countries'involvement in outer space activities, the methods they have employed to be involved, whatthe countries benefit from such activities and most importantly the extent of involvement ofindigenous scientists in such activities so as to break the myth that this is an area for scientistsfrom the developed world only.2. Technical assistance needsThere is a need for experts in key institutions, referred to above, to provide advisoryservices and train officers in space activities, law and policy. There is a need for financialassistance in order to get the necessary equipment for use in receiving satellite images so as topromote research and acceptance of the importance of space activities through visiblebeneficial applications.There is also a need for funding to initiate projects on space activities by promotingspace science in the education curriculum alternatively through broadcasting programmes tobenefit children, pupils and students so as to build and nurture interest and development ofspace sciences and applications and space law and policy.3. Most suitable strategy on availing educationTraining workshops, introducing postgraduate courses/fellowship programmes forstudy of space law, policies and applications in order to encourage involvement of peoplesfrom developing countries and to introduce space sciences and applications in the educationcurriculum right from primary school to university.ConclusionYou will note that although I have been practising law for the past 12 years, this hasbeen my first opportunity and excuse to research on outer space law and policies, as well as tomake an effort to identify key institutions benefiting from space applications. Our scientistshave advised that they have been hitting a brick wall in trying to push for change in policieson outer space law and applications, due to a lack of information and sensitisation of thepolicy makers and the lawyers. They also advised it would help if information about thirdworld (developing countries) activities on outer space are disseminated along withinformation on Zimbabweans involved in such activities in foreign space centres so as tocreate role models and develop/generate an interest to develop and promote cooperation andresearch in outer space activities by developing countries.516