The E-ROAD mission

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) established the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) to harness the skills, infrastructure and knowledge of astronomers to benefit society at large. The perspective of astronomy on our place in the universe and the technologies that are developed because of it are powerful tools to foster socio-economic development. The role of science in the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development

Goals (UN SDGs) is emphasized strongly and they form the framework for the OAD strategy. Eleven regional offices are established across the world, with the European office running since 2018. Each office supports local activities and tailors its own programmes to the development priorities in their region. The European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (E-ROAD) is a joint venture between Leiden University in the Netherlands and the European Astronomical Society (EAS). In the first place, the E-ROAD aims to further the SDGs in Europe, but it will also facilitate collaboration among the global network of regional offices and share European expertise and knowledge with its sister offices.