The 5th Symposium on Space Educational Activities (SSEA) aspires to foster an inclusive and welcoming community that recognizes and respects the inherent worth of every person. We believe in the principles of ethics, fairness, and inclusivity, and care deeply about providing a safe space where research can be shared, reviewed, and debated by the space community. We take several steps to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across several facets of conference presentation.
- We work with grassroots organizations like Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E) to increase the participation of underrepresented groups at the conference and to make the conference welcoming to everyone, regardless of their gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, disability, neurodivergence, religion, or nationality.
- We are actively working to ensure the conference event itself is more inclusive, for example, by selecting speakers from diverse backgrounds.
- We are introducing a scholarship fund to encourage participation from attendees outside Europe, particularly applicants from countries with lower development indices.
- We are also exploring options with the venue and caterers to ensure that everyone can have a positive, equitable experience. All food will include vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal options. Additionally, a complete map of the symposium venue, with wheelchair accessibility entrances and bathrooms, will be provided on the website.
- We are working on implementing structural improvements, including the development of a Code of Conduct that clearly outlines the values of the conference, as well as policies and procedures to address and prevent harassment and other forms of misconduct.
We warmly welcome individuals from underrepresented or marginalized communities, including those facing social or economic barriers, and anyone who may benefit from additional support. If you identify with these experiences, or if you’re a part of a grassroots organization working to advance equity, inclusion, or diversity, we’d love to hear from you. Additionally, if you have feedback, comments, or concerns about any of the diversity statements listed here, please reach out to awareness@ssea.space.