Space for Persons with Disabilities project | Copy-editing

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) works to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilisation of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. The Office assists any United Nations Member States to establish legal and regulatory frameworks to govern space activities and strengthens the capacity of developing countries to use space science technology and applications for development by helping to integrate space capabilities into national development programmes. The Office for Outer Space Affairs is split in three sections each one dealing with different aspects of this mission. The Office of the Director holds responsibility for administrative as well as budgetary oversight of the Office, and maintains the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space. The Office of the Director also handles UNOOSA’s public relations, including awareness-raising and outreach activities. The Committee, Policy and Legal Affairs Section (CPLA) of UNOOSA provides substantive secretariat services to COPUOS, its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and Legal Subcommittee, and related working groups. CPLA convenes and services the sessions of the United Nations Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities (UN-Space) and provides advice on international space law. The Space Applications Section (SAS) promotes international cooperation in the uses of space research and technology for economic and social development, and implements the Programme on Space Applications by raising awareness and providing training on the practical applications of space technology, in particular for developing countries. The United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) sits within SAS, as does UNOOSA’s executive secretariat support to the International Global Navigation Satellite Sy

Context

An estimated one billion people, or 15% of the world's population experience some form of disability. 80% of them are in developing countries. Due to discrimination, stigma, inadequate policies and programmes, lack of support and assistance, persons with disabilities are often prevented from joining the wider society in education or in employment. The challenges in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields are particularly acute. Many barriers to use or access knowledge and resources as effectively as persons without disabilities still exist and prevent the participation of persons with disabilities in research and activities necessary for advancement in the field. The Space for Persons with Disabilities project aims to promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable development in space by mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities. This task is under the Space for Persons with Disabilities project. Find out more at https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/space4personswithdisabilites/index.html Selected volunteer will be able to learn about challenges and efforts to promote disability inclusion in the space sector.

Task description

The volunteer will support the project officer at the Space Applications Section of UNOOSA in copy-editing approximately 10 interview articles in English. The volunteer is expected to work independently and use MS Word. The duration of the project is 2 weeks. This is a fully online and unpaid assignment.