Marking World Space Week and World Mental Health Day in Angola – A Call for Inclusive Education, Wellbeing, and Sustainable Development

From the Stars to the Streets: Bridging Space Science and Mental Health for Every Child

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, teachers, students, and distinguished guests.

Welcome to our special program — where today we reflect on two globally significant observances: World Space Weekand World Mental Health Day.

Here in Angola, we had the privilege of observing World Space Week, which takes place every year from October 4th to 10th, culminating on October 10th — World Mental Health Day. It’s a unique intersection of science and humanity — where we celebrate the power of space technology while also turning our attention inward to care for our mental wellbeing.

This year, we were honored to join the Luanda Science Center (Centro de Ciência de Luanda), which hosted a wonderful series of events. Children from several schools were invited to attend seminars and hands-on learning sessions — some of which were held in collaboration with expert scientists from Portugal and Brazil. 

It was exciting and uplifting to see the interest in topics like life on the Moon, how astronauts survive in space, and how satellite technology is shaping agriculture, oil exploration, and mining here in Angola. These sessions weren’t just educational — they were healing. They provided children with a chance to dream, to ask questions, and to feel part of something bigger than themselves.

We’re also proud of Angola’s progress with AngoSat-2, our satellite that continues to bring promise for connectivity, communication, and scientific advancement.

However — and we must speak honestly — there is still much work to be done.

While a select few children were inside the science center, dressed neatly and engaged in learning, just outside those very gates were other children — barefoot, hungry, and abandoned. Many of them are out of school, not by choice, but by the harsh hand of poverty. I had the chance to speak to some of them. They are only 10 to 13 years old, yet already exposed to dangerous substances like airplane fuel and small drugs. These children are in crisis. They urgently need psychological support, protection, and hope.

Mental health must not be a luxury — it must be a priority.

Even the children inside schools are not exempt from hardship. Many come from homes that lack peace, stability, and emotional support. Some are present in class physically — but mentally and emotionally, they are somewhere else. Without a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to process their feelings, their academic progress remains minimal.

That’s why mental wellbeing sessions are not just helpful — they are necessary. They give students a platform to open up about their challenges and a chance to heal in community.

During the event, we also discussed the role of space and satellite technology in helping improve daily life — from internet access, to better phone networks, to educational broadcasts. Yet, in rural areas and among the general population, very few people are aware of these developments. There is a huge gap in communication and outreach.

If we want to make real change, we must not only build technology — we must bring the people along with us. We must invest not just in satellites, but in education, access, and mental health.

Let us remember — space exploration is not just about reaching the stars. It’s about using science and technology to uplift humanity — especially the most vulnerable among us.

So as we reflect on this World Mental Health Day and the conclusion of World Space Week, let it not be the end — but the beginning of deeper conversations and stronger action.

Together, let’s build a future where every child — whether inside a classroom or outside on the streets — has a voice, has a chance, and has hope.

Thank you.

Conclusion 

As we close today’s reflection, let us remember that the challenges we face — from education gaps to mental health crises, from lack of access to information to the isolation of communities — are not isolated issues. They are deeply connected to the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, set by the United Nations to guide us toward a better and more equitable world by 2030.

This event — blending World Space Week with World Mental Health Day — speaks directly to several of these global goals:

🌍 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – ensuring mental health care and emotional support for every child, both in and out of school.

📚 SDG 4: Quality Education – calling us to reach the millions of children still out of school and to strengthen education within schools, especially through science and technology.

🛰️ SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – recognizing Angola’s progress with AngoSat-2 and the need to expand affordable, reliable internet and communication access across the country.

🌐 SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – bridging the painful gap between children who are learning and those who are left outside the classroom gates.

🏞️ SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – building inclusive, safe environments where all children, regardless of background, can thrive.

🕊️ SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – ensuring protection for vulnerable children, and building institutions that serve and uplift every citizen.

And perhaps most importantly…

🤝 SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – acknowledging that real change comes when we work together: schools, communities, governments, international partners, and most importantly, the voices of the youth themselves.

Let us leave here not just inspired by the stars, but committed to making life on Earth more just, more inclusive, and more hopeful for every child — no matter where they are.

Thank you once again, and may our steps forward be bold, compassionate, and united.

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