Description : The tremendous progress made by Astronomy over the centuries has been followed with much interest by the general public and yet, at the same time, many issues arise in its interactions within our societies. What is the actual rôle of Astronomy? The aim of this Symposium is to provide a global, and at the same time detailed, view of the very many activities that link Astronomy to our diverse cultures. It should also be the right forum to discuss the ways these activities can be improved upon, from the local to the international levels.