Seminar on Geo-information as an Essential Tool for Sustainable Development
11 October 2007 - 11 October 2007
South Africa
The main aim of the seminar is to raise awareness regarding the important role which geo-information (also called spatial data or geographical information) can play in supporting sustainable development in developing countries. The seminar will for example interrogate how geoinformation can be used to improve efficiencies and effectiveness in the planning and management of development cooperation programmes such as those of the European Union.
The potential benefits of geoinformation are multiplied when supported by a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). The seminar will therefore also focus on how development cooperation can support the establishment SDIs in developing countries, especially Africa. Currently about 120 countries are committed to developing national SDIs. In the case of Europe, the INSPIRE Directive which came into force on 15 May 2007 aims to establish a European SDI on the basis of the EU 27 Member State's national SDIs. Clearly what is beginning to emerge is a new ‘tool’ to support development across the world.
The morning session of the seminar will focus on broader strategic and policy issues. The afternoon session will consist of case studies which demonstrate practical benefits arising from the proper use of geoinformation in a developing country context. Adequate amounts of discussion time will be provided in both the morning and afternoon.
Presentations at the seminar will include representatives from the World Bank, United Nations’ Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the European Organisation for Geographic Information (EUROGI), South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and EIS Africa. The draft programme is available at: http://www.hsrc.ac.za(opens in new window) and http://www.eurogi.org(opens in new window).
The seminar will be held at the South African Mission (Rue Montoyer 17-19, 1000 Brussels, Metro: Trone) on Thursday 11 October 2007 starting at 10:00 and concluding at 17:00.
All interested parties are welcome to attend. Confirmation to: daan.dutoit@dst.gov.za
The event is presented with the support of the European South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP.)
The potential benefits of geoinformation are multiplied when supported by a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). The seminar will therefore also focus on how development cooperation can support the establishment SDIs in developing countries, especially Africa. Currently about 120 countries are committed to developing national SDIs. In the case of Europe, the INSPIRE Directive which came into force on 15 May 2007 aims to establish a European SDI on the basis of the EU 27 Member State's national SDIs. Clearly what is beginning to emerge is a new ‘tool’ to support development across the world.
The morning session of the seminar will focus on broader strategic and policy issues. The afternoon session will consist of case studies which demonstrate practical benefits arising from the proper use of geoinformation in a developing country context. Adequate amounts of discussion time will be provided in both the morning and afternoon.
Presentations at the seminar will include representatives from the World Bank, United Nations’ Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the European Organisation for Geographic Information (EUROGI), South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and EIS Africa. The draft programme is available at: http://www.hsrc.ac.za(opens in new window) and http://www.eurogi.org(opens in new window).
The seminar will be held at the South African Mission (Rue Montoyer 17-19, 1000 Brussels, Metro: Trone) on Thursday 11 October 2007 starting at 10:00 and concluding at 17:00.
All interested parties are welcome to attend. Confirmation to: daan.dutoit@dst.gov.za
The event is presented with the support of the European South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP.)