Last newsletter of 2003.... *Happy Holidays to all* I am most greatful to all those who thought of others during the past year, shared news of their activities, and thereby made this newsletter a success. There are approximately 2,000 people now on the mailing list, and new people subscribe every day. It would be even better if more people would contribute (please) Best wishes to you and your families, Kate -------------------------------------------------------------------- SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE AFRICA UPDATE VOL 2, NO. 14 - 13 DECEMBER 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Spatial Data Infrastructure Africa (SDI-Africa) is a free email newsletter for people interested in GIS, remote sensing, and data management issues in Africa. To subscribe to SDI Africa, unsubscribe, or change your email address, contact: klance@usgs.gov If you're subscribing, please indicate your institutional affiliation and how you learned about the SDI-Africa newsletter. I began putting information into a newsletter in an effort to provide information to colleagues in Africa (particularly since surfing the web can be costly in Africa). I am involved in a number of projects that aim to build SDI capacity in Africa; however, there is no project or organization that is called SDI Africa. I will send out issues as time permits. If you have news or information related to GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data infrastructure (e.g., workshop announcements, publications, reports, websites of interest, etc.), kindly send me the materials so that I can include them in the newsletter. This will ensure that issues are sent more frequently. The newsletter depends upon your continued interest and input. You are welcome to forward this message onto colleagues who may find the information useful. If you do so, please include the newsletter contact information at the bottom of this message so that others will know about the newsletter and subscribe themselves. Back issues of the newsletter are at the GSDI and GISD websites: GSDI: http://www.gsdi.org/pubs2.html#SDINEWS GISD: http://www.opengis.org/gisd/sdi_news.htm Best regards, Kate Please note: Some long URLs (internet addresses) may occupy 2 lines. In that case, copy both lines into your browser. -------------------------------------------------------------------- INPUT TO THIS ISSUE -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to Bheki Ginindza, Swaziland Komati Project Enterprise (Swaziland); Cynthia Mitchell, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Canada (Canada); Glenn Hyman, CIAT (Colombia); Reuben Mavima, SADC Regional Remote Sensing Unit (Zimbabwe); David Stevens, U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (Switzerland); James Kavanagh, RICS Foundation, RICS Geomatics (U.K.); Henry Bulley, University of Nebraska - Lincoln (USA); Richie Muheya, Malawi Geographic Information Council (Malawi); Madeleine Thomson, IRI, Columbia Unverisity (USA), GIS Coordination Unit (Botswana); and Jose Elias Mucombo, Direccao Nacional de Geografia e Cadastro (Mozambique) for their contributions to this issue of the newsletter. -------------------------------------------------------------------- SDI NEWS, LINKS, PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS - HAVE YOU READ? -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.geoconnections.org/ICDG.cfm/fuseaction/developersCorner.welcome/gcs.cfm http://www.geoconnections.org/ICDG.cfm/fuseaction/devNetwork.workshops/pgm_id/25/gcs.cfm http://www.geoconnections.org/developersCorner/devCorner_devNetwork/meetings/2003.06.10/Docs/FGDC-standard-workbook-fr.pdf Metadata guide in French Guide des normes du contenu des mitadonnies giospatiales numiriques (2000). This translation was a joint effort between Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada. They held a metadata workshop this past June. Other resources from the workshop are available at the same site. http://www.opengis.org/docs/2003/20030923_OpenWP.pdf Confused about what "open" means? Not sure what vendors mean when they use the term? Not sure how "openness" impacts what OGC does as an organization and how it affects software developers, integrators and users? OGC has answered those questions and more in a new white paper, "The Importance of Going 'Open'" available for download. >From the introduction: "In this paper we look at how peoples' needs for geographic information are served by OGC's 'opening' of geospatial information technology, and we show the crucial role that users play. We conclude that buyers of geoprocessing software, data and services should review their requirements and draft "open architectures" that lead to purchase of solutions that implement the appropriate OpenGIS Specifications." Source: OGC News, October 2003 http://www.fig.net/figtree/pub/morocco/proceedings/program.htm Proceedings of the 2nd FIG Regional Conference are * online * Urban-Rural Interrelationship for Sustainable Environment December 2-5, 2003, Marrakech, Morocco -- SDI update from Mozambique DINAGECA, USGS/EROS Data Center and SADC RRSU, as part of the USAID supported E-INFORM programme, conducted metadata, clearinghouse, and web mapping training in Maputo, 20-23 October 2003. After the workshop, DINAGECA organized a meeting of the managers of the principal data providing institutions to discuss the countries' Land Information Management-Infrastructure initiative. An inter-institutional working group was formed with the first meeting taking place at DINAGECA on 21 November 2003. A technical group also met on 27 November 2003 to draft the terms of reference, work plan, schedule for a detailed survey a survey to help guide the land information/infrastructure initiative. http://www.dinageca.gov.mz/Dinageca/DINAGECA.htm -- SDI update from Malawi http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/docs/101203/Malawi_Oct03metadataworkshop_report.doc Workshop report on metadata, clearinghouse, web mapping training in Lilongwe, Malawi at Lilongwe Tecnical College, 27-30 October 2003, Coordinated by Malawi Geographic Information Council (MAGIC), SADC Regional Remote Sensing Unit (RRSU), and the U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center. This workshop was held to assist MAGIC in its endevours to take a leading role in the Spatial Data Infrastructure initiatives in Malawi. MAGIC was formed in October 2002 to coordinate activities of the spatial data use, sharing and standardization in Malawi. A technical advisor from the EU recently arrived to work with MAGIC for 4-6 months. He is assisting with the formalization of MAGIC and the National Spatial Data Center's operation guidelines for setting up procedures in data access, sharing and provision of GIS services. http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/Outreach_document_User_and_Producers_v5.doc -- SDI update from Zimbabwe http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/docs/101203/MinutesZimSDIWorkshop_Ver2.pdf The Zimbabwe SDI Steering Committee held three functions during the week starting 24 November 2003: - 24 November 2003 - The Standards Working Group held a one day meeting at the Bronte Hotel. A very informative discussion took place with the assistance of the Standards Association of Zimbabwe. It was eventually agreed that this Standards Committee be constituted as a technical committee of the standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ). The SAZ will provide the secretariat and assist with the logistical arrangements for the committee to run. The Surveyor General would be the chairperson of this committee. Some of the the other members of the committee are: SARDC, RRSU, SAZ, LANDS, ERSI, MSU. This committee reports on a monthly basis to the ZSDI Steering Committee. - 25-26 November 2003: A Metadata / Clearinghouse training was conducted at the Jameson Hotel. A total of 25 participants from 9 different organisations attended this course. This training course culminated in the formation of a Metadata working group that is chaired by ERSI-SIRDC. This working group will also report its progress at the ZSDI Steering committee meetings. - 27 November 2003: The ZSDI Steering Committee held the national SDI workshop that attracted 47 participants. The guest of honour was the Honourable Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Dr. Joseph Made. The Minister delivered the opening speech and waited to listen to the keynote presentation. He then made his remarks after the keynote speech. Of most significance is his advice that there was a need for the ZSDI Steering Committee to come up with a national SDI proposal that he could table before parliament. See link for detailed minutes of the national SDI workshop. -- SDI update from Swaziland http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/docs/101203/SwaGIS_Membership_meeting_0ct03.doc http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/docs/101203/SWagisplan.ppt The Swaziland GIS Association (SwaGIS) was launched on 24 October 2003. Data producers and users gathered to discuss the activities and business plan of SwaGIS. This development was in direct response to the recommendations from the NSDI workshop held in August 2003. The consultation phase of the NSDI initiative has been advancing. Since its initial formation in August, the Interim Committee has met four times. For them, an important next step is the translation of their initiative into a project proposal which they can then submit it to government for consideration. -- SDI update from Madagascar http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/arsie_metadata_workshop.doc La manifesation de l'ARSIE sur le thhme "les ichanges des donnies environnementales ` Madagascar"aura lieu les 11,12 et 13 dicembre 2003 au CITE. -- SDI update from Botswana http://www.ngis.gov.bw The initiative towards a National SDI for Botswana became reality in 2002, when the project Establishment of National GIS started. The project went on for one year, in which a National GIS Coordination Committee (NGCC) including six working groups, was established. A Master Plan for the SDI development was formulated, plus a metadatabase for geographic data was developed, followed by a proposed standard for metadata among other outputs from the project. The project constitutes the first phase in the NSDI establishment process, and will be followed by a second-phase project. This has not been realised yet. The consultant accomplishing the first phase, Swedesurvey of Sweden, has been contracted to bridge the gap between the two phases. The main task during this bridging period is to establish and run the National GIS Coordination Unit at the Government Computer Bureau. The unit is supposed to be a secretariat for the NGCC, and will be manned by government staff from different departments. As for now it is managed by the consultant. Most working groups are having regular meetings, while others are about to start their work. There will be a NGCC meeting in January 2004, mainly focusing on the progress of the working groups. There is still a long way to go to fulfill the vision as stated by the NGCC in November 2002, but progress are being made in accordance with the Master Plan. The critical success factors for the establishment of the Botswana NSDI are efficiently functioning Working Groups, and appropriate appointed officers at the GIS Coordination Unit. -------------------------------------------------------------------- GIS TOOLS, SOFTWARE, DATA -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.geog.umd.edu/UCGIS/HUD/ http://www.geog.umd.edu/UCGIS/HUD/gislabs_frames.htm Training Modules and Data Sets Several training modules were developed for a University of Maryland project. Together, they provide decision makers with tools to examine population data at the sub city scale. While each module stands alone, the modules are organized in a sequence of increasing complexity. Each module introduces the user to GIS and geographic concepts using a problem solving approach. The dataset has been developed for training purposes exclusively for the purposes of this project. Lab 1: Introducing ArcView Lab 2: Getting Data into ArcView Lab 3: Geographic Patterns and Processes Lab 4: Displaying Themes http://uvalde.tamu.edu/jrm/jan03/louhaichi.htm http://oregonstate.edu/~louhaicm/range/projects/elevation.html Louhaichi, M. et al. 2003. Creating low-cost high-resolution digital elevation models. Journal of Range Management 56: 92-96 (Abstract). Email: Mounir.Louhaichi@oregonstate.edu http://epil.urban.uiuc.edu/GIS/pdfs/III-B2-Metadata-hands-on.pdf Learn how to create FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee) compliant metadata using ArcCatalog (one of ArcGIS 8.2 products) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) compliant metadata. Even though the structures of metadata of the two standards are similar, there are still different with respects to the nomenclature, condition, and elements. http://epil.urban.uiuc.edu/GIS/pdfs/II-B-Kim-FC-hand-on.pdf Grasp more concrete concepts of feature cataloguing methodology. The demo uses a prototype of feature cataloguing tool developed by the Expert Planning Information Systems Laboratory of UIUC for collecting information on features while complying with the ISO 19110 standard. http://epil.urban.uiuc.edu/GIS/pdfs/I-A1-Kim-WhyGISStandard.pdf Introduction & Why GIS Standards? http://epil.urban.uiuc.edu/GIS/pdfs/IV-C-Future.pdf Future of GIS standards http://epil.urban.uiuc.edu/GIS/ Workshop for GIS Standards: Understanding and Implementation August 5-8, 2002, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Endorsed by US International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS): L1-Geographic Information System Standards; OpenGIS Consortium (OGC); International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 211 (ISO/TC 211) -------------------------------------------------------------------- GEOSPATIAL RESEARCH / APPLICATIONS / REFERENCE MATERIAL -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.wateraid.org.uk/site/about_us/annual_review/annual_review_and_accounts_2003/1283.asp In 2003, WaterAid Malawi, with Japanese Government funding, undertook a pioneering study of the condition and location of 1200 waterpoints in six districts in Malawi. Using GIS technology, maps were developed, which, along with population data, were used to ascertain the current equity of distribution by measuring the relative numbers of people served by each improved community waterpoint. This study is now being extended to 8000 water points which will help the Ministry of Water build its core database on national rural water provision. http://www.ewc2.org/upload/downloads/Ottichilo2003AbstractEWC2.doc Use of space technology in disaster risk assessment and monitoring, by Dr. Wilber Ottichilo. Satellites through their continuous coverage of the globe, provide essential information that can lead to rapid and effective detection and interpretation of many hazards. This paper examines the application of space technology in disaster risk assessment and monitoring. Presented at the Second International Conference on Early Warning (EWC II), 16 - 18 October 2003, Bonn, Germany. http://www.ewc2.org/ http://www.rics-foundation.org/publish/document.aspx?did=3183&f=y Environmental mapping for developing nations, by Duncan Moss, Neil Stuart and Sam Bridgewater. This research shows that an accurate combined survey of both ground control points and ground truth data by GPS is the key to providing reliable mapping from medium-resolution remotely sensed imagery which many developing nations can now afford. -------------------------------------------------------------------- FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES / AWARDS / SUPPORT -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.google.com/anitaborg/ Google (of search engine fame) is offering two US$10,000 scholarships for young women. This is part of Google's continuing effort to encourage young women to consider careers in computer science and computer engineering. One of the scholarships is for undergraduate women who are majoring in "computer science, computer engineering, or related field." Another scholarship is aimed at women who are in their first year of a master's program in the same fields. For more information, please link or contact Sophia Huyer at WIGSAT (www.wigsat.org). Must be attending university in the US. Complete applications must be received by January 30, 2004. Source: InterAction ICT Initiative http://www.idrc.ca/cfp/agrhome.html http://network.idrc.ca/ev.php?URL_ID=4714&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201&reload=1055537997 http://network.idrc.ca/ev.php?URL_ID=4714&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201&reload=1040565138 AGROPOLIS - International Research Awards Programme in Urban Agriculture. Deadline: January 31, 2004 AGROPOLIS is an awards program that supports innovative master's and doctoral level research. It aims to add to the body of knowledge of urban and peri-urban agriculture, and thereby to support interventions that address critical areas in the industry. The award will cover justifiable field research expenses to a maximum of CDN $20,000 per year. Award tenure corresponds to the period of field research, normally no less than 3 months and no more than 12 months. Contact: AGROPOLIS@idrc.ca http://www.cepf.net/xp/cepf/about_cepf/index.xml http://www.cepf.net/xp/cepf/apply/guidelines_english.xml (application guidelines) The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. CEPF provides funding and technical assistance to civil society groups. It acts as a catalyst to create strategic working alliances among diverse groups, combining unique capacities and eliminating duplication of efforts for a comprehensive, coordinated approach. There are no specific deadlines for applications or funding levels that applicants can request.However, CEPF will stop accepting proposals for a particular area or strategic direction once the designated funds are fully committed. http://www.fao.org/forestry/nfp-facility/pdf/English-brochure00.pdf http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/forestry2/index.jsp?siteId=4341&langId=1 http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/forestry2/page.jsp?caller=toc&geoId=0&langId=1&siteId=4341&pageId=13528&pageId=5880 National Forest Programme Facility Grants Once a Partnership Agreement is established between the Facility and a country, grants can be provided to national forest programme stakeholders active in the partner-country. Under Facility grants, funds are expected to be spent mainly on: workshops, fora, and in-service training; policy analysis and other specific studies; information sharing and knowledge management initiatives. http://www.sustainabledevelopment.org/awards/2004/guide_en.html Dubai International Awards 2004 The Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme is currently accepting submissions for the 2004 Cycle of the Dubai International Awards for Best Practices. The purpose of the awards is to recognise and enhance awareness of outstanding and sustainable achievements in improving the living environment as per the basic criteria established by the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and the Dubai Declaration. Submissions that are received in good time will be considered for exhibition at the Universal Forum on Cultures, Barcelona 2004. Submissions received before 31 January 2004 stands to benefit from substantive feedback. For more information see website or contact: bestpractices@unhabitat.org or info@dm.gov.ae http://www.devforum.org/prize Nominations are invited for the Petersberg Prize which recognizes exemplary contributions in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) for development. The Prize will be awarded for significant contribution to a successful ICT for development project that benefits a large number of people. The Prize winner will receive an award of Euros 100,000 during the Development Gateway Forum which will take place in 2004. Nominations are due by February 1, 2004. http://imgs.intergraph.com/education/awards.asp Third Annual Intergraph Best Practices Awards and Poster Competition These two worldwide competitions recognize projects and programs based on Intergraph's technology. The award programs are open to educators or students who currently use Intergraph technology, as well as those who are new to Intergraph technology. Award recipients will receive cash funding toward their study or research activities and professional recognition throughout the global geospatial community with international publication of winning entries. Entries must be received no later than February 14, 2004. -------------------------------------------------------------------- TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Concours d'Entree 2004, Centre Regional AGRHYMET Les formations sont normalement riservies aux ressortissants des pays du CILSS, bgis de quarante ans au plus, ayant au moins deux ans d'expirience dans un des domaines de compitence du CRA. http://www.agrhymet.ne/PDF/formulairefbase.pdf http://www.agrhymet.ne/concours/concours2004.pdf Cycle des Inginieurs en Agromitiorologie, Hydrologie et Instruments & Microinformatique - Promotions 2004-2007. Date limite de cltture des inscriptions : 30 janvier 2004 http://www.agrhymet.ne/concours/concours2005.pdf Cycles des Techniciens Supirieurs en Protection des Vigitaux - Promotion 2005-2007. Date limite de cltture des inscriptions : 30 janvier 2005 IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program 2004 http://www.iiasa.ac.at/yssp/register/index.html?sb=5 Deadline: 15 January 2004 IIASA's annual Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) is a three-month (June-August) research program for advanced students whose interests correspond with IIASA's ongoing research. The 2004 program starts on June 1, 2004 and ends on August 31, 2004. Applicants from all over the world are welcome. Students from countries in which IIASA has a National Member Organization (NMO) as well as students from non-NMO countries in both the developed and developing worlds are encouraged to apply. -------------------------------------------------------------------- TRAVEL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/Docs/101203/Sudan_wks_101203.doc Within the limited financial resources available, a number of selected participants from developing countries will be offered financial support to attend the United Nations/European Space Agency/Government of Sudan Regional Workshop on the Use .of Space Technology for Natural Resources Management, Environmental Monitoring and Disaster Management, April 4-8, 2004, Khartoum, Sudan. The workshop is being organized jointly by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Remote Sensing Authority, National Center for Research - Sudan, co-organized together with the European Space Agency. The ultimate goal of this workshop is to facilitate the implementation of space technologies into operational programmes in Africa and Western Asia. Although it is a workshop which will draw participants from Africa and Western Asia, particular emphasis will be given to those from the Sudan and neighboring countries of the Sudan. The completed application form, properly endorsed by the applicant's government or institution, should be submitted through the Office of the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in the applicant's country, to reach the United Nations Expert on Space Applications, Office for Outer Space Affairs no later than 27 February 2004. For information regarding the submission of nominations for attendance and funding, contact Ms. Ayoni Oyeneyin, UN OOSA, ayoni.oyeneyin@unvienna.org. The latest version of the workshop programme will be made available on the following web site (http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/SAP/rs/index.html). -------------------------------------------------------------------- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES -------------------------------------------------------------------- Assistant Professor, Gainsville, Florida, USA The Center for African Studies at the University of Florida invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor of African environmental studies, to begin in August, 2004. Academic discipline is open within any of the social or natural sciences. Candidates who have interdisciplinary research experience on African environmental issues are strongly encouraged to apply. The appointment will be made jointly between the Center and a relevant disciplinary department within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. The position calls for a scholar with substantial research experience in Africa, as well as a strong record of teaching and publication on African environmental topics. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries with faculty members in various departments and colleges. Knowledge of an African language is also desirable. Send a letter of application, CV, and any supporting materials postmarked by December 30, 2003. Three references should also be sent separately by this date to the address below. Dr. Todd H. Leedy Chair, Environmental Studies Search Committee Center for African Studies University of Florida P.O. Box 115560, Gainesville, FL 32611-5560 http://www.africa.ufl.edu/ Programme Specialist, Paris, France The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization seeks a Programme Specialist (P-3) for the Capacity Building Section, Earth Sciences Division. Duties: assist in conceiving, promoting, implementing and supervising the accomplishment of postgraduate training courses (regular and ad hoc), directed mainly to geoscientists of developing countries, on the subjects of Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics and Remote Sensing; and the programme of "Roving Courses on Geological Parameters for Environmental Protection" in developing countries; identify demands and necessities of the qualification of human resources in developing countries; participate in the definition of the course contents which meets the requirements of the requesting Member State; and identify host institutions and countries for the accomplishment of the courses. REQUIRES: Advanced university degree in Earth Sciences; specialisation in geological data and information handling and GIS; two years experience at international level in the field of Earth Sciences and in scientific cooperation; and excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language. Closing date: January 10, 2004. Send full curriculum vitae on the official UNESCO form (No. 250), accompanied by a recent identity photograph and photocopies of diplomas and mentioning nationality, date of birth and gender to: Chief, Recruitment Section, Bureau of Human Resources Management, UNESCO, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France. You may also apply online at: http://www.unesco.org/joining/. Reference Post No.: SC-283. Associate Technical Officer (P-2), Bonn, Germany http://www.ramsar.org/w.n.vacancy_aewa.htm Responsible for the organization, management and provision of services to facilitate the work of the Technical Committee and its working groups, such as developing the agenda for meetings and the related documentation schedules; assists in reviewing the development of programs and related projects to ensure the formulation and design meet the Agreement on the African Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) goals, and monitors implementation of selected AEWA-sponsored conservation projects; promotes interest in the Agreement in a geographic region among Parties and non-Parties, and more generally NGOs, and gathers information relevant to the implementation of the Agreement; and provides scientific and technical inputs into the elaboration of AEWA Projects, particularly in relation to Management Plans and Action Plans. REQUIRES: First level university degree in biology, ecology, zoology, or environmental studies or a related field or comparable level of knowledge, abilities and skills due to long-term experiences; three years relevant working experience of which at least one year should have been in an international environment; and fluency in English. Closing date: 12/23/03. Reference Vacancy Announcement No.: 03-PGM-UNEP-402218-R-BONN. UNV Planner/Cluster Manager, Lilongwe, Malawi Government of Malawi/United Nations Decentralized Governance Programme. Deadline for applications: December 15, 2003 Duty Station: Decentralisation Secretariat, Lilongwe, Malawi with travel to out-posted Cluster Centres. Duration: Two years initially Commencement Date: January, 2004 The GOM with financial support from UNDP is now implementing the Decentralized Governance Programme. In this regard, the GOM through UNDP/UNV is seeking to procure services of a highly qualified and motivated United Nations International Volunteer to coordinate the activities of three Cluster Managers/UNV Planners to be deployed in the field to provide intensive and timely technical support to twelve focus districts. The UNV Cluster Coordinator will be located in the Decentralisation Secretariat, and will work in close liaison with professional staff in the Secretariat. A post graduate degree in development planning and at least five years experience in development planning work at middle management level, preferably in a decentralized governance environment. Knowledge of GIS is desirable. E-mail: fzambezI@decentralisation-malawi.org.mw http://iri.columbia.edu/iri/job/ 12 posts are available IRI, with 3 in particular that may be of interest the readers of this newsletter. Candidate review will start 30 November 2003, but IRI may still be open to receiving applications beyond this date. Associate Research Scientist, New York, NY, USA Satellite derived environmental proxies - ID #670 03 030 http://iri.columbia.edu/aboutiri/job/html/PDR-satelliteproxies_20031114.html The International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI: http://iri.columbia.edu) in Palisades, New York is seeking an outstanding individual with expertise in environmental remote sensing. The successful candidate will advance the use of remote sensing in the IRI's climate and environmental monitoring research activities, and further the application of satellite derived environmental proxies within the IRI's regional programs; contributing to collaborative work with partners in health, agriculture and food security, drought/flood monitoring and climate studies. Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, New York, NY, USA Climate Related Losses and Risks - ID #670 03 031 http://iri.columbia.edu/aboutiri/job/html/PDR-lossesrisks_20031114.html The International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI: http://iri.columbia.edu) in Palisades, New York seeks a post- doctoral research scientist to advance the IRI research agenda in the assessment of climate-related losses and risks as part of ongoing research in climate impacts. The position is initially for one year with a possibility of a one-year renewal. Secondments from other organizations working in this area will also be considered. Associate Research Scientist, New York, NY, USA Climate Impacts Research - ID #670 03 029 http://iri.columbia.edu/aboutiri/job/html/ARS-impactsresearch_20031114.html The International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI: http://iri.columbia.edu/) in Palisades, New York is seeking an outstanding individual with excellent analytical skill to advance an evidence-based approach to understanding the impact of climate on society. The IRI mission is to enhance society's capability to understand, anticipate and manage the impacts of seasonal climate luctuations to improve human welfare and the environment, especially in developing countries. http://www.particip.de/index.php?id=19 Urgent: National consultants are being sought to support the implementation of the ongoing EC Evaluation of Food-Aid Policy and Food Aid Management and special operations in Support of Food Security during the field phase (between January and beginning of March 2004). Experts applying for positions on the evaluation team should be nationals of the following countries: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Malawi. He/she should possess advanced knowledge of the Food Aid sector in the respective country for complying with the following tasks: - Liaising with the EC delegation to facilitate the visit, - Collecting relevant field-based documents, - Preparing a food security profile of the country prior to visit, - Arranging appointments and accompany international experts to meetings; and - Assisting in the preparation of the country report. Experts interested in being considered for supporting the international experts during one country evaluation and who are available during approximately 20 days in the period indicated above, should send their CV in EC Format as email attachment to staff@particip.de and indicate in the heading: CV for Foodaid II. Assistant Professor, Geo-information for sustainable forest management, Enschede, The Netherlands http://www.itc.nl/about_itc/vacancies/0033.asp The International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) has an opening for an Assistant Professor to to teach Professional Masters and MSc students, and contribute to the development of educational modules and new educational products. The Assistant Professor will conduct and guide research and develop research co-operation, both inside and outside ITC, nad will engage in acquisition and implementation of consulting tasks for the department. Must possess a PhD in forestry or a related discipline and you have extensive experience in the application of modern techniques of image processing and GIS modeling for sustainable forest management. Interested candidates are invited to send their letter of application and detailed CV before 31 December 2003. GIS Research Analyst, Washington, DC, USA http://www.globalforestwatch.org/english/about/jobs.htm#gisanalyst Employment period: 6 month term position Global Forest Watch, an initiative of the World Resources Institute, is currently seeking candidates (who are already in the USA or in Cameroon) for a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Research Analyst to focus on datasets on Central Africa's forests and development activities in the following countries: Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Dem. Rep. of Congo, and the Central African Republic. The research analyst will develop and implement GIS applications in support of a consortium of NGOs working on Central African natural resource management, including bushmeat hunting and related issues, forestry, and compliance monitoring. As part of this work, the analyst will produce spatial data sets from satellite imagery and paper maps, edit and improve datasets, be responsible for writing metadata and making datasets available. This is a six-month term position with benefits, and will require at least one trip of up to one month to one or more Central African countries to collect and compile datasets. Deadline: January 1, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://calmit.unl.edu/africa-iale/ An Africa-IALE website and listserv has been established. Interested subscribers are invited to visit the site and fill out a membership form. For further information about Africa-IALE, contact Henry Bulley, hbulley@calmit.unl.edu. (International Association for Landscape Ecology) http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=12828 APC Launches Guide to Running a National ICT Policy Consultation for the World Summit on the Information Society http://rights.apc.org/nationalfaq_wsis_v1.pdf (FAQ) The World Summit on the Information Society is a learning opportunity for civil society organizations that are new to the ICT policy process to begin to articulate positions and gain valuable experience in lobbying that can be taken back to their home countries. "But How Do We Start Working At National Level? The APC guide "FAQ about Conducting a National WSIS Process" outlines the steps to take and key components in organizing a national consultation around ICT policy. The "question & answer" format homes in on some of the key questions we have heard people ask about how to organize. The primary target audience is people that are active in using or promoting the use of ICTs in their work, but who have not necessarily been involved in national level policy processes previously. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFERENCES / EVENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------- January 12-16, 2004, Capetown, South Africa http://idlelo.uwc.ac.za Idlelo - The First African Conference on the Digital Commons Organized by the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA), the African Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources (AVOIR) project at the University of the Western Cape and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) If you are working on an open source project, you are encouraged to register your project at http://www.fossfa.org/database/ The conference will address the challenges and opportunities of the creation and use of free / open source software and open content and their development potential for Africa. For additional information, contact: Bildad Kagai, Coordinator, Free Software and open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) Email: fossfa@fossfa.org February 2-6, 2004, Bangalore, India http://www.gsdi7.org.in/ 7th Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Conference Focus: Spatial Technologies, Applications and Policies February 9-11, 2004, Marrakech, Morocco http://enaweb.enameknes.ac.ma/~8imsmtc/ Soil Information: a basis for better land management and prevention of desertification in the mediterranean environment February 14-17, 2004, Khartoum, Sudan http://www.araburban.org/MDMS/ Management and Development of Municipal Services and Public Utilities in Arab Citites, in conjunction with the 13th General Conference of Arab Towns Organization February 26-28, 2004, Tours, France http://www.maptrade.org/index.cfm?sectn=events&men=13&id=Forthcoming%5Fevents%2Ecfm&event=25 International Map Trade Association, imta@maptrade.org IMTA Global Conference and Trade Show Facing the Future - A Mapping Challenge For more information, please contact Mike Cranidge, Executive Director IMTA (EAME) (imtaeurope@btinternet.com) February 29, 2004 - Deadline for Abstracts for the 13th International Congress of the Names Society of Southern Africa, September 27-30, 2004 (see details below) March 1-4, 2004, Berne, Switzerland IGS Symposium & Technical Workshop 2004 Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International GPS Service The Symposium will recognize the unique history of the IGS as well as looking towards the future and what is on the horizon for an international GNSS services in the next decade. The Technical Workshop Series will focus in detail on many critical issues, analysis results, network/communication aspects, data systems, and the various applications addressed by the Projects, Working Groups, and Coordinators of the IGS. March 4-5, 2004, Accra International Conference Center, Ghana http://www.cddc.vt.edu/knownet/accra-it-conference.html The 3rd International Conference on Information Technology and Economic Development. The three-day conference will explore how information and communications technologies may be employed to promote economic development. The 4 tracks will be Harnessing ICT for Development, National Strategies for ICT Policy Development, Africa and ICT Market Development and ICT for National, Regional and International Networking for Development. March 16-19, 2004, Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi http://www.aitecafrica.com The Kenya National ICT Convention incorporating The African e-Commerce Forum (regional) and ea.telecom: The East African Telecommunications & Broadcasting Exhibition & Conference (regional) Organised by AITEC under the auspices of the ICT Board of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance The Kenya National ICT Convention will be the culmination of a series of national sector-focused ICT conferences convened by the National ICT Board to drive forward effective ICT applications and solutions to underpin Kenya's economic transformation into an electronically empowered economy competing effectively in the world economy and providing increased employment opportunities for its citizens. March 17- 20, 2004 in Alexandria, Egypt http://www.millenniumassessment.org/2/about.meetings.bridging.aspx Bridging Scales and Epistemologies Conference: Linking Local Knowledge and Global Science in Multi-Scale Assessments March 26-29, 2004, Washington, DC http://gsdi.org/SDIA/gdinfinal.pdf http://www.gdin.org GDIN2004. Sixth Conference of the Global Disaster Information Network. Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN) is an organization that is dedicated to improving the flow of information before and during natural disasters. Conference themes include: emergency telecommunications, disaster manager needs, the UN International Strategy on Disaster Reduction, information management (including homeland security), urban search and rescue, and many more. Contact: gdin2003@hotmail.com [the GDIN Secretariat is pleased to announce that the Government of South Africa has offered to host the 7th GDIN Conference]. March 18-22, 2004, Dakar, Senegal http://www.wsscc.org/load.cfm?edit_id=332 First Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Forum The objectives of this forum are: to draw lessons on how successful water, sanitation and hygiene programs, sector reforms and development partnerships are leading to the eradication of poverty; and to strengthen regional and national partnership initiatives aimed at attaining the goals of the WSSD. April 1-3, 2004, Kampala, Uganda http://www.ifpri.org/2020AfricaConference/index.htm Assuring Food and Nutrition Security in Africa by 2020 Organized by 2020 Vision Initiative of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC. Contact Rajul Pandya-Lorch, Head, 2020 Vision Initiative, r.pandya-lorch@cgiar.org. April 4-8, 2004, Khartoum, Sudan http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/SAP/rs/index.html United Nations/European Space Agency/Government of Sudan Regional Workshop on the Use of Space Technology for Natural Resources Management, Environmental Monitoring and Disaster Management. Organized jointly by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Remote Sensing Authority, National Center for Research - Sudan, co-organized together with the European Space Agency. April 20-29, 2004, New York, NY, USA http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/ungegn.htm http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/englishUNGEGN.pdf http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/frenchUNGEGN.pdf (francais) The Twenty-second Session of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) April 29-May 1, 2004, Heraklion, Crete, Greece http://agile2004.iacm.forth.gr 7th AGILE Conference on GI Science May/June 2004, Cape Town, South Africa (dates to be determined) http://www.afrea.org/content/index.cfm?navID=18&itemID=206 Third African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) Conference The theme of the conference is proposed to be Evaluation for Effective Development in Africa May 10-12, 2004,Johor, Malaysia http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/gisdeco7_Malaysia_May2004.doc http://www.fab.utm.my/gisdeco2004 7th Conference on GIS and Developing Countries: GISDECO 2004, on GIS Capacity Building and Infrastructure. Proposals for papers and posters dealing with the following topics should be sent to the GISDECO Secretariat by November 30, 2003. GISDECO Secretariat: Email :b-haris@utm.my. General information on GISDECO or details of past events please see: http://www.itc.nl/gisdeco/ or email Richard Sliuzas, GISDECO Int'l coordinator at GISDECO@itc.nl. May 12-14, 2003, Miami Beach, Florida http://www.geospatialworld.com/ Geospatial World 2004 Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions and the Intergraph GeoSpatial Users Community are organizing the fourth annual GeoSpatial World, themed, "Open. Solutions. Exchange." The program for GeoSpatial World will address open technology and standards, demonstrate proven industry solutions, and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and expertise with users from around the world. June 2004, Rabat, Morocco http://www.eurisy.asso.fr/ Conference on Tele-Health and Satellites Based on the French project RED GEMS (Re-Emergent Diseases Global Environment Monitoring form Space) it will be an in-depth concentration on tele-medicine and tele-epidiomology. June 2-7, 2004, Orleans, France http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/1st_Circular-CAG20.doc http://cag20.brgm.fr 20th Colloquium of Africa Geology - First circular 20eme Colloque de Geologie Afrique - Cirulaire premiere Symposia topics include: Geodynamics of Africa; Earth Resources and Sustainable Development of Africa; Geohazards, Environmental management, Paleoclimatology and Human Evolution in Africa; and Geoscience Education in Africa. There will also be workshops: 1) The future role of African Geological and Mining Surveys, 2) Earth resources, sustainable development and poverty alleviation in Africa, 3) Geoscientific Maps of Africa including Tectonic map of Africa (CGMW), and 4) Initiative for integrated research projects in Africa (CNRS-INSU, Univ., IRD, IFREMER, BRGM, etc.). June 7-9, 2004, Gavle, Sweden http://www.hig.se/geoinformatics/ Geoinformatics 2004: Geospatial Information Research: Bridging the Pacific and Atlantic, 12th International Conference on Geomatics. Deadline for Abstracts: 01 December 2003. July 12-16, 2004, Johannesburg, South Africa http://www.wits.ac.za/geoscienceafrica/ GEOSCIENCE AFRICA 2004 The conference will embrace several parallel symposia catering for different areas of specialization, including economic geology, palaeontology, tectonics, geophysics, sedimentology, geohydrology, geological education and geomorphology, together forming the Geoscientific Forum. University of the Witwatersrand July 12-23, 2004, Istanbul, Turkey http://www.isprs2004-istanbul.com Geo-Imagery: Bridging Continents International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing oaltan@srv.ins.itu.edu.tr The organizing committee is providing a limited number of grants and fellowships to deserving attendees from developing countries. August 9-13, 2004, San Diego, California, USA http://www.esri.com/events/uc/index.html http://www.esri.com/events/uc/dates.html ESRI International User Conference September 15-17, 2004, Agro-Montpellier, France http://www.itc.nl/personal/hengl/PM/WEB/DSM_Workshop_2004.htm Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping The Workshop (GW-DSM) aims to discuss and further develop new rapid and economic methods for digitally mapping soil classes and attributes (and their uncertainties) particularly at resolutions of 20 metres to 500 metres. The Workshop should be of interest to all those concerned in the future of soil resource assessment. For expressions of interest, and more details, please contact Philippe Lagacherie, lagacherie@ensam.inra.fr. September 27-30, 2004, Maputo, Mozambique http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/13th_Int_Congress_NamesSA.doc 13th International Congress of the Names Society of Southern Africa Contact: dinageca@teledata.mz http://www.dinageca.gov.mz October 18-21, 2004, Nairobi, Kenya http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/The5thAARSEConference-1stAnnouncement1.1.doc 5th African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE) Conference. Jointly hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), Ministries of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife and of Lands and Settlement in Kenya, and UNESCO/UNEP Office, Nairobi. The theme of the 5th AARSE Conference is "The Role of Geo-Information Technologies (GIT) in the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)". Contact: rcmrd@rcmrd.org or ottichilo@rcmrd.org October 20-24, 2004, Udine, Italy http://www.dpvta.uniud.it/~agroenv http://www.dpvta.uniud.it/~agroenv/docs/brochdraft1.ppt Agro Environ 2004: Role of Multi-purpose Agriculture in Sustaining Global Environment The Symposium covers a wide range of topics addressing key environmental and agricultural issues through applying new technologies that aim at sustaining agricultural systems, monitoring environment and conserving natural resources. Participants are invited to submit papers, coherent with the above said objectives and topics, that will be published in the proceedings. Submit a 250-word summary (no figures or references) by November 30, 2003 to the e-mail address: agroenv@uniud.it. October 21-23, 2004, Geneva, Switzerland http://www.sieng.ch/enviroinfo2004/ EnviroInfo 2004 - 18th International Conference on Informatics for Environmental Protection The 2004 symposium will focus on 'sharing': sharing information technologies, sharing data and knowledge. Organized by the CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Deadline for submission of abstracts: Feb. 2004 November 8-10, 2004, Berlin, Germany http://www.codata.org/04conf/index.html 19th CODATA International Conference (Committee on Data for Science and Technology) -------------------------------------------------------------------- You are welcome to forward this message onto colleagues who may find the information useful. If you do so, please include the newsletter contact information at the bottom of this message so that others will know about the newsletter and subscribe themselves. If you have news or information related to GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data infrastructure (e.g., workshop anouncements, publications, reports, websites of interest) kindly send me the materials so that I can include it in the newsletter. This newsletter depends upon your continued interest and input. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Kate Lance EROS Data Center/International Program Address: Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Secretariat USGS 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 590 Reston, VA 20192 Email: klance@usgs.gov Tel: 703-648-4564 Fax. 703-648-5755 Website: http://edcintl.cr.usgs.gov/ http://www.gsdi.org/