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Press release | 08/11/2018
Bocconi University and United Nations Join Together to Study Space

Bocconi University and United Nations Join Together to Study Space

AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BETWEEN BOCCONI UNIVERSITY AND THE OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS (OOSA) OF THE UN WITH THE AIM OF COLLABORATING IN THE RESEARCH AND PROMOTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE ECONOMY OF SPACE

A memorandum of understanding to collaborate in research activities on topics concerning the economy of space was signed today by Bocconi University and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). The signatories agree to support and inform each other on areas of common interest, and express a commitment to developing countries as well as to the scientific space community. On Bocconi University’s part, the agreement will be implemented through the Space Economy Evolution Lab of SDA Bocconi, directed by Andrea Sommariva.

Under the agreement, particular attention will be given to focusing on integrating space technologies with emerging new technologies, in line with the UN Secretary General's New Technologies Strategy. The accord is part of broader joint research activities on the theme of space economy, one of the four pillars of the Space2030 Agenda, which outlines the contribution of space to the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

The collaboration between the two institutions will also take the form of academic courses for training public employees, particularly those in developing countries, provided by SDA Bocconi with the support of UNOOSA. The subjects in these courses will be those within the expertise of SEE Lab and will be in line with the mandate and ongoing activities of the Office for Outer Space Affairs (among others, the promotion of scientific subjects and the UNOOSA Space for Women project).

The Director of UNOOSA, Simonetta Di Pippo commented: "The space economy is expanding enormously, with the participation of an ever-increasing number of actors. Last year, a record number of satellites were launched, and we expect exponential growth in the coming years. UNOOSA, the only UN body 100% dedicated to space, is the center of gravity of this rapidly evolving sector and works to bring the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere. SDA Bocconi, with the creation of the Space Economy Evolution Lab, is at the forefront of academic research on the economy of space, exploring how to translate consumption of resources into creation of value. For UNOOSA, SDA Bocconi is therefore the perfect partner to bring more perspectives into the global conversation on space exploration and analyze the growing economic impact of the sector".

"Space offers new opportunities for development", adds Andrea Sommariva. "Companies operating in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence and the 'neural network' are looking at the development opportunities that space can offer to their products and services. So, rather than the space economy, I prefer to talk about economic development deriving from the progress of science and technology. The agreement between UNOOSA and Bocconi University that will be implemented by SEE Lab-SDA Bocconi is framed along these lines. For us, UNOOSA is the ideal partner to explore these issues in terms of research, and to spread the managerial, strategic, economic and financial knowledge possessed by SDA Bocconi to emerging countries interested in entering the space sector. "
 
Andrea Celauro
Press Room
Universita' Bocconi
Phone +39-02.5836.2467
Mobile +39-366.6245.835
E-mail andrea.celauro@unibocconi.it
https://www.press.unibocconi.eu
Barbara Orlando
Head of Press Office
Universita' Bocconi
Phone +39-02.5836.2330
Mobile +39-335.123.1716
E-mail barbara.orlando@unibocconi.it
https://www.press.unibocconi.eu
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