The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) aims to use astronomy, including its tools, practitioners and skills, to benefit society. The OAD, a joint project of the International Astronomical Union and the South African National Research Foundation, has the vision of using ‘Astronomy for a better world’. Since 2013, the OAD has funded more than 120 projects that use astronomy to address developmental issues as defined under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The IAU Strategic Plan for 2020-2030 presents an overview of all of the activities of the IAU along with priorities, key goals, mandates, and specific actions. Here future plans and goals are outlined for the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD).

Hands on the Stars is a long-term project developed by the IAU Commission C1 Education and Development of Astronomy and its WG3 Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion with the goal of creating the first international comparative list of astronomical words in as many sign languages as possible.

The U.S. National Optical Astronomy Observatory’s Education and Public Outreach group has produced a Quality Lighting Teaching Kit. The kits are designed around problem-based learning scenarios. The kit’s six activities allow students to address real lighting problems that relate to wildlife, sky glow, aging eyes, energy consumption, safety, and light trespass. The activities are optimized for 11-16 year olds. As part of the IAU100 celebration, the kits will be manufactured and made available to observatories and communities around the world.

The DARA Big Data project is a flagship UK Newton Fund & GCRF program in partnership with the South African Department of Science & Technology (DST). DARA Big Data provides bursaries for students from the partner countries of the African VLBI Network (AVN), namely Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia, to study for MSc(R) and PhD degrees at universities in South Africa and the UK. These degrees are in the three data intensive DARA Big Data focus areas of astrophysics, health data and sustainable agriculture. The project also provides training courses in machine learning, big data techniques and data intensive methodologies as part of the Big Data Africa initiative.

This paper discusses the importance of learning to understand the three-dimensionality of astronomical objects, in particular nebulae. After collecting data from students’ and professors’ discernment of 3D we finds that this is difficult for both students and professors, which highlights the importance of addressing extrapolating three-dimensionality in astronomy education.

The Learning Services Management System of the Network for the Education of Astronomy in the School (IAU-NASE) has been developed following the guidelines of the ISO 29990: 2013 Standard, which understands on the “Learning services for non-formal education and training’’, and which aims to improve quality of learning services and facilitate comparison on worldwide basis.

Astronomy and Space topics are perceived as holding universal fascination. It is widely considered that exposure to such topics inspires people, changes their perspective and leads to an uptake in science and STEM subjects. But very rarely is the impact of such communication evaluated rigorously and scientifically. There is a need for more rigorous evaluation methods which would reveal the successes and failures of current methods and tools of astronomy communication and whether they might lead to any inadvertent harm. The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) and Hosei University together with the South African Astronomical Observatory conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in Cape Town, South Africa to test whether exposure to an astronomy intervention affects empathy and altruism in children. The pilot demonstrated that it is possible to use such methods to evaluate impact of science communication in an inexpensive manner.

“Columba-Hypatia: Astronomy for Peace” is a joint astronomy outreach project by GalileoMobile and the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) which takes place on the divided island of Cyprus. The project aims to inspire young people, through astronomy, to be curious about science and the cosmos, while also using astronomy as a tool for promoting meaningful communication and a Culture of Peace and Non-violence. We conduct educational astronomy activities and explore the cosmos with children and the public, bringing together individuals from the various communities of Cyprus ‘under the same sky’ to look beyond borders and inspire a sense of global citizenship.

We developed a method to identify potential astro-tourism sites by considering parameters characteristically relevant to astronomical observation such as air quality, dark sky quality, annual average cloud coverage, as well as terrain feature. Applying this method on Indonesia by perusing data from Geographic Information System and applying Multi Criteria Decision Analysis we identify a number of potential astro-tourism sites. We cross correlate this with Indonesia Tourist Destination to produce a list of recommended sites. Fulfilling the astrotourism criteria is one sure way towards sustainable tourism.

Both science public outreach and citizen science projects have gained immense momentum in the western world in recent years. This work aims to outline some ongoing and possible future projects in the developing world on this front. Cooperation and collaboration with IAU-OAD is envisaged.