Newswise — Trends, developments and an assessment of the status of space security is the focus of a special briefing on Thursday, January 21st at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.

The event is being held by the Secure World Foundation, the Space Security Index and the Embassy of Canada.

Attendees will be welcomed with introductory remarks by Graham Gibbs, Canadian Space Agency/Embassy of Canada and Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation.

The briefing -- “Space Security Index 2009” – will be presented by Cesar Jaramillo, Program Manager for Project Ploughshares (Canada).

The update is to be followed by panel remarks and discussion on the status of and future trends in space security by leading experts:

Richard DalBello, Vice President of Legal and Governmental AffairsIntelsat General

Dr. Peter Hays, Senior Scientist, SAICNational Security Space Office

Marcia Smith, Founder and EditorSPACEPOLICYONLINE.Com

When: Thursday, January 21, 2010 Time: 10 AM to NoonWhere: Embassy of Canada, Canada Room, 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

To attend, please reply to:Tiffany ChowEmail: [email protected]Phone: (202) 462-1842

Note: If you will be able to attend, be advised that no parking is available. Please bring Photo Identification.

Background:

The Space Security Index

The Space Security Index is the first and only annual, comprehensive, and integrated assessment of space security. The project seeks to ascertain trends and developments in space security based on primary, open source research. It also includes an annual assessment of the status of space security based on a consultative process that engages a broad range of stakeholders.

The Space Security Index is a research partnership between several academic, governmental, and non-governmental organizations that together make up the consortium: Spacesecurity.org

Partners of the consortium include the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University, the Secure World Foundation, Project Ploughshares, the Simons Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Research at the University of British Columbia, and the Space Generation Foundation, in cooperation with the International Security Research and Outreach Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.

Secure World Foundation

Secure World Foundation (SWF) is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Austria. SWF is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.

SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space security. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.

The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.