Mission-Vision-Values-Strategy

ESO’s Mission

ESO’s Mission is to design, build and operate advanced ground-based observatories, and to foster international collaboration for astronomy.

ESO’s Vision

ESO’s Vision is to advance humanity’s understanding of the Universe by working with and for the astronomy community, providing it with world-leading facilities.

ESO’s Values

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

These values of the organisation are realised and maintained by the people working at ESO.

Our efforts to achieve ESO's values are only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

 

ESO’s Strategy

The ESO Council has adopted the following strategic milestones for ESO during the decade 2021–2030:

  • Implement and operate the ELT as the world-leading extremely large telescope
  • Ensure that the current facilities remain at the forefront of astronomical investigations
  • Ensure that the Organisation is prepared for future projects when financial projections so permit
  • Retain ESO’s leadership role in astronomy

The full strategy is described in greater detail in the Messenger article “ESO Strategy for the 2020s”.