The event, was standing-room-only with an audience of over 125 participants, including a significant number of Ambassadors, senior diplomats, and representatives from international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. The gathering underscored the urgent global need for a shared ethical framework as humanity expands its footprint beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
A Moral Compass for the Cosmos
The new publication, featuring a preface by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin and an editorial contribution by former CERN Director-General Dr. Fabiola Gianotti, addresses the critical "crossroads" facing space governance. As space transitions from a distant horizon of contemplation to a strategic domain for resource extraction and data mining, the publication argues that technical and political discussions must be enriched by ethical and spiritual perspectives.
Key themes include:
- The Universal Destination of Goods: Reaffirming space as a "common province of mankind."
- Space Sustainability: Addressing the physical risks of orbital debris and congestion.
- Security and Peace: Moving from a logic of rivalry and weaponization toward a logic of cooperation and "organized competition."
High-Level Dialogue
The launch featured an introductory keynote by Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), who called for intensified global cooperation to ensure space-based connectivity serves the most vulnerable.
Moderated by H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the panel brought together a diverse range of expertise:
- Prof. Dominique Lambert (University of Namur) outlined the ethical principles proposed in the publication for regulating human activity.
- Colonel Mike Hopkins (NASA Astronaut, 2009-2023) shared a moving first-hand account of the "Overview Effect," describing how the sight of Earth from orbit dissolves borders and highlights our identity as one human family.
- Ms. Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UNIDIR) provided insights into space security and the prevention of an arms race (PAROS).
- Mr. Jacques Arnould (CNES) and Ms. Natalia Vicente (GSOA) discussed the evolving roles of national agencies and the commercial sector in maintaining a sustainable space environment.
Call to Action
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Balestrero emphasized that the decisions made today by a few will affect the dignity of all future generations. He encouraged all stakeholders to move beyond "the logic of the jungle" toward a governance model that protects the heavens as a source of peace and hope.
Download the Publication
The Holy See and the Caritas in Veritate Foundation invite the public, academia, and policymakers to engage with this timely research. "Outer Space and Humanity at a Crossroads" is now available for digital download.
Click Here to Download the Full Publication
Click Here to See More Photos From the Event
Media Contact: Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva.
Email: [email protected] Website: www.holyseegeneva.org
Media Contact: Dr Collette McGovern +41 77 947 13 74
