!!! a big THANK YOU to those who provided input to the standards survey. We have a long way to go, but your interest and commitment is very much appreciated. We received 29 responses. Several other people indicated that they would respond soon (and hopefully they will live up to their word). -- A special best wishes to Thomas Yolain from the Liberian Cartographic Service who expressed dismay at not being able to advance standards/SDI as much as he would like, given the current security situation in the country. (I still appreciate that you shared your thoughts and your kind words about the newsletter).~ktl -------------------------------------------------------------------- SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE AFRICA UPDATE VOL 2, NO. 8 - 07 JULY 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 (go to GSDI newsletters) 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 Shifun Hailu, Ethiopian Mapping Authority (Ethiopia); Rene Verduijn, FIVIMS (South Africa); Emma Noongo, Directorate of Environmental Affairs (Namibia); Sophie Kerambrun, L'Association du Réseau des Systèmes d'Information Environnementale (ARSIE) (Madagascar); Enias Chinjekure, Department of Surveyor General (Zimbabwe); Wilber Ottichilo, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (Kenya) for their contributions to this issue of the newsletter. -------------------------------------------------------------------- SDI NEWS, LINKS, PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS - HAVE YOU READ? -------------------------------------------------------------------- - SDI update from Ethiopia http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/Ethiopia_workshop_summary_May_2003.doc The Ethiopian Mapping Authority (EMA) in collaboration with UNECA organized a one-day Stakeholders' Workshop on the establishment of the Ethiopian Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) at the venue of UNCC with the event of CODI III, on May 16, 2003. This workshop was held in accordance with the resolution of the first sensitization workshop on NSDI, which mandated the Ethiopian Mapping Authority to take the responsibility of facilitating the development of NSDI at the national level. To this effect, the 2nd workshop included as many stakeholders as possible on the workshop, raise awareness on the advantages of the establishment of NSDI and to coordinate the stakeholders for a joint undertaking. On the workshop, fundamental issues of how NSDI can be successful in Ethiopia were discussed, and the participants reached a consensus. This workshop layed the ground work for the establishment of NSDI in Ethiopia -- for nominating a leading institution to pilot the NSDI establishment process and identifying key organizations who will members of the "National Steering Committee." - SDI update from Madagascar http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/ARSIEbrochure2003.doc L'Association du Réseau des Systèmes d'Information Environnementale (ARSIE) Brochure 2003 [provides a description of the association] http://www.pnae.mg/arsie/bul/fehy.htm http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/Fehy3.doc ARSIE newsletter (in French) [note from Kate: an excellent communication mechanism for informing members about ARSIE activities and providing a outlet for ideas]. (summary in English): In April 2003, ARSIE organized a meeting within the national mapping agency's (FTM) facilities to present data and tools of ARSIE members in order to allow each to have a better knowledge of what exists. It was a great success, with the room filled to capacity! ARSIE highlighted its activities during one of the monthly seminars organized by Office National pour l'Environnement. The seminar was attended by 45 representatives from ministries, national and international agenices, academia, and media; the importance of metadata and the value added to information was discussed. In May, PACT-Madagascar engaged a consultant for two months to help with metadata development. Thus far, she had provided support to 13 institutions and approximately 800 metadata records have been completed. (en francais) FEHY No. 3, 2eme trimestre 2003: Est un bulletin trimestriel de liaison publié par : l'Association du Réseau des Systèmes d'Information Environnementale (A.R.S.I.E.) avec la vocation d'informer les membres sur les activités de l'ARSIE et ce bulletin est également un moyen d'expression pour chacun des membres. - L'ARSIE a organisé une séance de présentation de différentes base de données qui existent auprès de ces membres afin de permettre à chacun d'avoir une meilleure connaissance des outils qui existent et des types de données accessibles. Cette séance de présentation a eu lieu dans la salle de réunion du FTM le 18 avril 2003. Elle a rencontré un large succès, puisque la salle de réunion était à peine assez grande pour recevoir tous les participants! - Aussi en avril 2003, a l'occasion des conférences organisées mensuellement par l'ONE, l'ARSIE a présenté, le 24 avril 2003, ses objectifs et ses activités. 45 personnes d'horizons divers (ministères, associations nationales et internationales, étudiants, journalistes) ont participé à cette conférence. Les débats ont permis de clarifier notamment les conditions d'adhésion à l'ARSIE. La définition des métadonnées et leur importance pour une bonne gestion et valorisation de l'information sur l'environnement disponible à Madagascar ont également été précisées. - PACT Madagascar a engagé une consultante pour l'aide à la saisie des métadonnées début mai. Elle a un contrat de deux mois. Elle fait actuellement le tour des institutions pour les aider et les former à la saisie des métadonnées et les appuyer dans la structuration de celles-ci. Actuellement environ 800 métadonnées ont été saisies et 13 institutions ont été appuyées. - SDI update from Namibia [Note from Kate: Namibia is up there in the lead for 'progress in a short period of time'!] http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/status1.doc The Orientation of Data Access and Accessibility in Namibia This paper provides an overview of the projects undertaken to computerize and modernize production systems and the acquisition of spatial data. Special attention is given to issues such as standards, metadata, information distribution and sharing. Capacity strengthening through institutional cooperation in these activities, including participation in global initiatives is also addressed. The paper is also part of coordinated activities to "raise" awareness on the importance of data openness in societal development, access and use in the decision-making process, both nationally and locally. Emphasis is therefore placed on the whole structure of data orientation, acquisition, management and use, and not only on the technology. http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/ToR_for_Namibia_NSDI_Committee.doc Terms of Reference for the Namibia NSDI Committee and details of the Committee's membership. The inter-ministerial NSDI committee was formed in Namibia in March 2003. The Committee is made up of 10 persons from six data collecting agencies. The Committee meets every second week. Since March 2003, the Committee has been engaged in investigating and formulating issues regarding to data production, standardization, access and exchange. The Committee members drafted and reviewed a national data policy, which is now available for comments: http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/namibia_draft_data_policy_july_2003.doc http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/foreign_researchers_data_guideline.doc Foreign researchers Data Guideline (Namibia) In order to ensure that Namibia retains data collected by foreign researchers working in Namibia, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has established guidelines which serve as a contract that requires foreign researchers to share their data and provide copies to the appropriate government custodians. In June 2003, the Namibian NSDI Committee met to discuss a strategy for seeking Cabinet approval. A summary of this meeting is provided in the briefing to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism: http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/june_2003_briefing_on_Namibia_SDI_development .doc On August 14- 15, 2003, Namibia will hold its 3rd Environmental Monitoring Information Network workshop (EMIN III). The two main objectives of this workshop are to: a. communicate and receive feedback on the draft spatial data sharing policy. b. communicate and receive feedback on the draft integrated state of environment report based on core set of national indicators. - SDI update from Sudan / Sudan Committee on Geographical Names http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/Training_Course_in_Toponymy_Sudan_Feb_2003.do c Excerpt from the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names - Informatiion Bulletin, No. 26, March 2003 Working Group on Training Courses in Toponymy Report on the first UN toponymy course for East Africa, Khartoum, January 29 - February 7, 2003. [Note: the 22nd Session of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) will be held in New York in April 2004]. - SDI update from Zimbabwe [Note from Kate: for those of you who are in the process of establishing or implementing data standards, please note this document; it could be a starting point for your own efforts]. http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/zimbabwe_digital%20geographic%20info_standard s.doc Digital Geographic Information: Zimbabwe National Standard (1996), prepared by S.Banda, E Chinjekure, K.Heggen, S.Hoseggen, Y.Jairosi The DSG was implementing data standards projects with support from the Swedish and Norwegian governments. DSG had embarked on a project to implement various databases, such as include the topographic, cadastral, geodetic and photogrammetric databases. However, the project suffered a setback when bilateral financial support was suspended in 2000. The DSG is currently making efforts to continue the project with minimal support from the central overnment. DSG has acquired hardware and software to automate the production system, which up until how has been analog. The technical infrastructure is in place and work plans are being tailored along project specific areas. Efforts to address institutional aspects are also underway. Still, it is a challenging process. - SDI update from Mali http://www.undp.org/dpa/frontpagearchive/2003/june/25june03/index.html In Mali, to make the Internet and other digital tools available to all sectors of society, the Government is formulating and implementing a national ICT strategy. Japan is providing US$90,000 for the initiative and UNDP is assisting the Ministry of Communication and New Information Technologies in carrying it out. - update from RCMRD The following activities have been undertaken or are planned to be undertaken during the months of July, August and September 2003 at the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development in Nairobi. 1. One Day Seminar on the use of high resolution (60cm) QuickBird images in Urban Planning: The Case for Nairobi City. This seminar was held at RCMRD's premises on 30th June 2003. It was attended by over thirty participants from different sectors of the economy, for example local government, city authorities, education, planning, police, telecommunication, defence etc. More details can be provided. Contact Wilber Ottichilo, wottichilo@rcmrd.org 2. Global Mapping Seminar, 25-28 August 2003 The objective of the seminar is to discuss policy and technical dimensions of Global Map Development and application of Global Map data. Technical Staff of African National Mapping Organizations that have participated in the Global Mapping Project and have an intention to develop Global Map Data will participate. The seminar is being organizered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan, International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM), and RCMRD. Additional supporting organizations include the Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping (KISM), Survey of Kenya (SOK), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This workshop will be held at the Centre and the participants will come from African countries that are participating in Global Mapping Initiative. The workshop is supported by JICA and is being convened by Japan ministry of Infrastructure Development and Mapping, Survey of Kenya and RCMRD. 3. ESRI ARCGIS Training The above training will be held at the Centre from 1-20 Sept. 2003. The training will be conducted by ESRI and Oaker Services. The participants are being drawn from diferrent countries of Africa. -------------------------------------------------------------------- GIS TOOLS, SOFTWARE, DATA -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/index.htm UNOSAT goal is to provide the international community with updated and accurate geographic information and to universalize access to satellite imagery. The UNOSAT concept was first proposed in October 1999 by UNOPS to Spot Image as a joint-project of the partnership agreement they signed in July 1999. Together with UNITAR they identify a core group of partners mastering capabilities and expertise needed in this undertaking. To know more about UNOSAT and access the range of UNOSAT products & services available, join the UNOSAT community and become a "Registered User" or part of an "Active Member Organization" contact: UNOSAT, c/o CERN, Div IT/DI/UN, Director's email: Alain.Retiere@cern.ch, Manager's email: Olivier.Senegas@cern.ch and Einar.Bjorgo@cern.ch http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/watresafrica/index.stm The Land and Water Development Division of FAO is developing a global information system of water and agriculture with the objective to provide users with comprehensive information on the state of agricultural water management across the world. Such a system should help in assessing the role of irrigation in global food production and the relation between irrigation and water scarcity. Apart from the classical country-based statistics on all aspects of agricultural water management (water resources and use, irrigation, drainage, etc.), a geographical modelling tool has been developed to provide users with GIS-based databases, maps and model simulations. Africa is the first continent for which the information system has been completed. The information collected and processed consists of a set of tables and maps on water resources and irrigation at continental level and by river basin (major basins and sub-basins) resulting from simulations on the water balance model. This information has been published earlier as part of the CD-ROM: FAO Land and Water Digital Media Series no. 13 - Atlas of Water Resources and Irrigation (Price: US$40.00). http://www.fao.org/catalog/book_review/giii/y0379-e.htm Contact: aquastat@fao.org The programme was partly financed by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation. http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/gis/index2.stm This section contains downloadable spatial datasets related to the field of water resources and irrigation in Africa. The datasets were prepared as part of the Atlas of Water Resources and Irrigation in Africa. (metadata, including link for download) Hydrological basins in Africa http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?id=296&currTab=summary Rivers of Africa http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?id=12&currTab=summary Database of African dams http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?id=280&currTab=summary Inland water bodies in Africa http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?id=281&currTab=summary Irrigation cropping pattern zones in Africa http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?id=283&currTab=summary http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/damsafrica/index.stm Geo-referenced database on African dams In the framework of the development of a GIS-based information system on water resources for the African continent, a geo-referenced data base of large African dams was set up. The purpose of the database is to allow a better assessment of the regulation capability of the different rivers of the continent, which is of prime importance for regional assessment of available water resources. http://192.100.189.157/MaizeInfo/default.html Maize-Finder Tool from CIMMYT Contact: Dave Hodson, d.hodson@cgiar.org - feedback is welcome. At present the prototype application is directed towards searching for the best Maize varieties in Sub Saharan Africa and only contains a limited amount of data. Examples of situations where MaizeFinder can be of use are: - Extension organization searches for commercial maize variety that matches local conditions - Assess performance of a maize variety under different circumstances - Breeder searches maize germplasm with specific characteristics for breeding. The current tools are mainly directed towards breeders, but if CIMMYT can find the resources, they would like to expand the portal to also accommodate information and tools for extension organizations searching for improved maize varieties to be planted in a given area. The MaizeFinder prototype is an example of what CIMMYT hopes will turn into a geospatial decision support system for maize production and maize research. As maize is the principal stable for many poor people in Sub Saharan Africa, it is hoped that improved access to information on maize germplasm ultimately may contribute to achieving food security in the region. CIMMYT is also thinking about ways in which they can implement something similar for wheat, and also significantly expand the capacity for maize. The vision is that such applications may provide an open gateway into the vast data holdings of CG centers like CIMMYT, so those data can benefit the wider global community. -------------------------------------------------------------------- GEOSPATIAL RESEARCH / APPLICATIONS / REFERNECE MATERIAL -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://povertymap.net/brussels.cfm Report on the UNEP/GRID-Arendal organized workshop on the "Impacts of Poverty Maps: Past Experiences and New Applications", Brussels, May 21, 2003. Presentations include: http://www.povertymap.net/brussels/ArnaudComolet_UNDP.ppt Poverty & Environment Mapping in Rwanda http://www.povertymap.net/brussels/DavidHealy_Stone.ppt Niger Poverty Atlas & Poverty Information Needs Assessment in Mali http://www.fig.net/figtree/pub/fig_2003/TS_26/TS26_3_vandenBergr.pdf Development of a IT / GIS Model Designed to Help Local Municipalities in South Africa to Manage Water and Sanitation Services and for the Benefit of Poor and Rural Communities (2003). The national Dept of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in South Africa has developed a strategy, in line with government policy, to devolve the responsibility to supply water and sanitation services, to local municipalities (LMs). This paper presents an IT / GIS / Facilities Management Model that will effectively empower LMs to manage and expand their water and sanitation services. The model combines IT and GIS technology with GPS technology, data management technology, innovative database design, local skills empowerment and the re-engineering of local government business processes. http://www.cse.sn/carbone/at2003.htm Sequestration of Carbon in Soil Organic Matter (SOCSOM) in Senegal: Review and Synthesis Meeting at CSE in March 2003. http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/Livelihoods_Information_and_Mapping_in_Kenya. doc Excerpt from FIVIMS News, May 2003, Vol. 5, No. 2. Newsletter of the Inter-Agency Working Group on FIVIMS (Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information Mapping Systems) The study aims at capturing the spatial relationships between rural communities and accessibility to five types of livelihood assets (physical, natural, social, financial and human) as they may largely determine the livelihood options faced by poor and food insecure households. One of the main objectives of this project is to map relevant livelihood assets, and, through working closely with community members, determine which of the spatial indicators identified are the most important at predicting poverty/livelihood options. http://www.fao.org/waicent/FAOINFO/economic/ess/watf.asp The WATF is an interactive map that displays the trade flows between countries/territories and provide basic trade data. It has been designed to provide the user with quick, graphically-oriented information regardingtrading partners, volume and value as well as bilateral percentage shares. Click on the "Menu" button below on the map and select "Query" to start. Once you click on a country, product, import/export, and year you must push the select button on each one so it shows in the text underneath, then press go or arrows. It makes a connectivity map and colors the countries with their market share of an import/export. A neat application. http://www.iaea.or.at/programmes/nafa/d3/public/d3_pbl_4.html Programme Against African Trypanosomosis http://www.iaea.or.at/programmes/nafa/d3/public/final-phase1.pdf (1,951 KB) Trypanosomosis has long been regarded as one of the complex of constraints that is preventing most of sub-Saharan Africa from realising its full agricultural potential. This study explores one of the current strands of thinking in relation to addressing the problems caused by trypanosomosis, namely the eradication of its vector, the tsetse fly, on a large scale in west Africa. http://www.iaea.or.at/programmes/nafa/d3/public/annex6-practical-gis.pdf (533 KB) Practical Application of GIS: Data driven rationale for selecting priority areas for tsetse fly eradication in West Africa (2001) -------------------------------------------------------------------- FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES / AWARDS / SUPPORT -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.iee.org/OnComms/PN/sustainability/nsc2003.cfm New Spirit Challenge 2003 Engineering for a Sustainable Future is the organizer for the New Spirit Challenge 2003, an international competition that will provide practical support for winning projects aimed at making an innovative contribution to sustainability. The Challenge is open to individuals and small teams (both engineers and non-engineers) from across the globe. Projects may be located anywhere in the world, and the support will take the form proposed by the applicant. Application forms for the Challenge are due by September 19, 2003. http://www.start.org/links/announce_oppo/africa_call.pdf http://www.start.org/links/announce_oppo/africa_call.doc DEADLINE EXTENDED START/PACOM Call for Proposals 2003 A Call for Research Proposals related to Environmental Change tendered to the African Global Change Research Community. START, through funding from the United States Global Change Research Program, is able to offer this Call for Proposals. The objectives of this call are: 1) to directly contribute to global change science in Africa; 2) to enhance the understanding of the impacts and consequences of global changes in Africa, 3) to create long-term, collaborative research partnerships between African scientists and those in developed countries, and 4) to foster the integration of African researchers into the international global change research programmes of DIVERSITAS, IHDP, IGBP, and WCRP. Deadline for submissions is 18 July 2003 http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?Id=1621_2920_782_6788_65 Australian Development Scholarships Information Kit for 2004 http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/ads_general.pdf Each year, the Australian Government sponsors people from developing countries, mainly in the Asia/Pacific region (but it is open to African students) to study in Australia through Australian Development Scholarships (ADS). After completing their studies, students return home and use their skills and knowledge to assist with the development of their country. http://www.start.org/links/announce_oppo/icsu_twas_unesco_vsp.pdf ICSU-TWAS-UNESCO Visiting Scientist Programme The objective of the programme is to provide institutions and research groups in developing countries, especially those with limited outside contacts, with the opportunity to establish long-term links with world leaders in science and therefore develop capacity-building in their country. The deadline for applications is 1 October 2003 IDRC's Acacia Initiative ICT R&D Grants Programme http://network.idrc.ca/ev.php?URL_ID=29347&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201& reload=1054618546 The Acacia initiative has announced its first ICT R&D Grants for 2003-2004. Interested organisations from the developing regions of Africa can apply for the grant now. The main objective of the Grants Programme is to promote an active ICT research environment in Africa for issues related to ICT based development applications, policy research and their impacts. The Grants Programme expects to build research capacities, and accelerate the use of ICT for development in the region. It is also directed at encouraging original and innovative solutions to specific development problems. Finally the programme aims to build a body of knowledge on the impact of ICTs on the development of African communities. Small grants of a maximum of $30,000 CAD each will be awarded on a competitive basis to successful institutions from the African region. The deadline for submission of detailed proposals is the 1st of September 2003. A Committee will review all proposals and the results will be announced by December 2003. Criteria for eligibility and more details about this grant programme can be found at the IRDC website, http://www.idrc.ca/acacia under R&D Small Grants Programme. For further details, contact mladikpo@idrc.ca. http://www.african.cam.ac.uk/applicationpackage/applicationpackage.html African Studies Visiting Research Fellowships Scheme Applications are invited for five Visiting Research Fellowships to take effect from October 2004 for a maximum period of six months. The Fellowships for October 2004 will be centred on the theme of resource rights, gender and development. Research which examines the gendered dimension of access to resources, the importance of this for livelihoods, and the constraints and opportunities of intervening in tenure regimes of different kinds is encouraged. It is expected that applicants would be intending to come to Cambridge to work on a project building on existing research for which a period of residence in Cambridge is demonstrably appropriate, although the initiation of a new piece of work will not be ruled out where there is a realistic expectation that it could be substantially advanced by the end of the tenure of the Fellowship. Deadline October 1, 2003. -------------------------------------------------------------------- TRAVEL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.wwf-efn.org/professional.html EFN Professional Development Grants support training-related costs for mid-career conservation professionals to attend short-courses, workshops, and conferences. Costs covered include registration fees and tuition, meals and accommodations, books and materials, international travel, and local transportation. Training may take place anywhere in the world. Typical grants range in amount from $1,500 to $5,000. You may complete the EFN Professional Development Grant application online after answering a few simple questions to determine your eligibility. -------------------------------------------------------------------- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/vacant_positions.doc Applications are invited for the following positions at the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Nairobi: - Senior Remote Sensing Officer - GIS Officer - Digital Mapping Surveyor Applicants for these positions must be nationals of the Centre's member States only. The closing date for receiving applications will be 15th July 2003. Database Expert, Senegal http://www.unops.org/web_forms/vacancy_view.asp?pmode=3&VacancyNo=283 Mettre en place une banque pertinente de donnees pour un suivi correct de l’evolution de la biodiversite, des changements climatiques et des conditions de vie des populations dans les quatre (04) sites du projet; Mettre en place d’un Systeme d’Information Geographique (SIG) performant et actualise regulierement pour une bonne gestion de l’information au niveau du projet; Constituer un systeme de reference pour la connaissance de la biodiversite des ecosystemes au Senegal avec la creation d’un site Web pour le partage des informations obtenues. Duration: 2 weeks Closing date: 13 Aug 2003 Qualifications : PROFIL : L’etude sera realisee par un(e) consultant(e) international(e) avec une expertise et une experience averee en mise en place de banques de donnees informatisees assiste(e) par une equipe pluridisciplinaire de consultants nationaux ayant une bonne connaissance en informatique et en gestion des réseaux. Le/La consultant(e) international(e) aura les profils suivants: - Avoir une formation universitaire de haut niveau dans la gestion des ressources naturelles avec une expertise avérée en Système d’Information Géographique (SIG); - Avoir une expérience dans le domaine de la conception et de gestion de banques de données et d’élaboration d’atlas sur la conservation de la biodiversité. Research Fellow, IFPRI, Kampala, Uganda http://www.ifpri.org/careers/dsgrf112.htm The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) wishes to recruit a Research Fellow in its Development Strategy and Governance Division (DSGD), supporting the design and implementation of agriculture-based rural growth strategies in East Africa. The two- year, fixed term, renewable appointment position is based in Kampala, Uganda. The successful candidate will work in support of a) the Government of Uganda's poverty eradication and agricultural modernization programs, and b) IFPRI's work in the East Africa region helping to develop information and decision support systems to underpin regional trade, marketing and science and technology policies and investments. Required qualifications: Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics or closely related discipline; proven analytical skills, preferably based on empirical research in Africa. Ability to plan, implement, and document policy-related research with local partners and stakeholders, and to effectively communicate research findings to policymakers and fora within the region. Research interests may encompass natural resource management, agricultural productivity, or market development. But accelerating rural growth through improved integration of these factors will be the key research goal. Interest in pursuing this research goal within a team seeking to advance the relevance and utility of spatially-explicit (GIS-based) approaches is essential. Deadline for applicationsL July 31, 2003. Contact: IFPRI-HRINTL@cgiar.org, IFPRI HRS, Ref# 03-112 Executive Director, National Forestry Authority of Uganda The Executive Director will be responsible for the overall direction and management of the organization - strategic planning, finance, commercial and operating policy, corporate communications and various service divisions. Candidates will demonstrate a post-graduate degree in business management and/or natural resources; at least 10 years experience at senior managerial level in a large to medium size organization; proven ability to initiate and manage change; commitment and motivation; and fluency in English. Applications are invited by August 8, 2003 (an earlier expression of interest would be helpful). CV, names and addresses of 3 people, and details of availability should be sent to gershomo@ugandaforests.org, with a copy to ps@mwle.go.ug. For more information, contact gasterk@ugandaforests.org or +256 41 340684. Senior Environmentalist, African Development Bank Group, Tunisia http://www.afdb.org/about_adb/vacancies/vn_adb03_27e.htm Ensure the environmental sustainability of projects and programs in the North, East and South Region. Closing date for application: 31 July 2003. GIS Specialist, Madagascar http://www.devtechsys.com/Recruitment/body_recruitment.html#Madagascar DevTech Systems is currently seeking to fill a GIS Specialist position for an upcoming project in Madagascar. Assist and train local personnel in the organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic and descriptive data, personnel knowledge, and procedures designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, report, etc. Submit cover letters and CVs to lmullaney@devtechsys.com with the 'GIS Specialist' as the subject line. Position requires French fluency, at least 10 years of experience, and an advanced degree. -------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.waterforfood.org/text/Limpopo_Workshop_Report.doc The minutes of the Limpopo benchmark basin start-up workshop held in March are also available online. This is part of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. New CD-ROM - "Environmental Conventions and Observation from Space" (16 June 2003). Outcomes from the TESEO projects and other activities carried out by ESA to support Environmental Conventions are gathered within a multimedia CD-ROM. To get a copy, send a request to: eohelp@esa.int. You can a also download an "Environmental Conventions and Observation from Space" screensaver (10Mb), http://styx.esrin.esa.it:5000/TESEO/ScreenSaverSetup.zip. http://augafrica.com/index.html AutoCAD Users Group Africa The aim of this group, is to provide a central forum for AutoCAD users within the African sub-continent where they can discuss and share ideas, new products, employment opportunities, customisation and programming, to name a few. http://fdncenter.org/learn/shortcourse/prop1.html Proposal Writing Short Course (on-line) This short course in proposal writing was excerpted from The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing, 3rd ed. (New York: The Foundation Center, 2001), by Jane C. Geever, -------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFERENCES - YOU'RE INVITED! -------------------------------------------------------------------- July 7-11, 2003, San Diego, CA, USA http://www.esri.com/events/uc/index.html ESRI International User Conference 2003 July 9-11, 2003, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ssdbm03/ SSDBM2003, 15th International Conference on Scientific and Statistical Database Management July 12-14, 2003, Okinawa, Japan http://www.iscgm.org/html4/index_c1_s1.html#doc2_org.iscgm.schedule.gmf03 Global Mapping Forum 2003 in Okinawa (GMF03), sponsored by the International Steering Committee for Global Mapping. The objective of the Forum is to exchange ideas, experiences and information among data users and data providers concerning global or regional scale geographic information. July 13-17, 2003, Darwin, Australia http://www.iale.ntu.edu.au International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE) World Congress. A special session on Africa is being planned for 2003. The proposed theme for this session is, "The Changing Landscapes Of Africa". The session is also intended to be a starting point for an Africa-Chapter of IALE. All those with interest in landscape analysis, resource data and projects in Africa are encouraged to be part of this process. If you are interested in the special session and Africa-IALE, contact: Henry N.N. Bulley, CALMIT, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Tel: 402-472-4973; Email: hbulley@calmit.unl.edu July 14 - 18, 2003, Yaoundé, Cameroon http://www.iiasiisa.be/iias/aicamer/aicamer.htm http://www.iiasiisa.be/iias/aicamer/cameroon%20invitation.pdf http://www.iiasiisa.be/iias/aicamer/aicamerpress.pdf Shared Governance: combatting poverty and exclusion (Regional International Conference). Sub-Themes: 1. Roles, Strategies and Instruments for Governments and Public Bodies 2. Roles and Responsibilities of Citizens, Social Agents and Groups 3. Roles, Responsibilities and Strategies for International and Supranational Organisations 4. Roles and Responsibilities of Local and Sub-National Administrations and Communities July 20-24, 2003, Maputo, Mozambique http://www.pitt.edu/~icpm/icpm.html The Fourth International Conference on Public Management, Policy, and Development (The President of Mozambique is a confirmed speaker at the conference) http://www.pitt.edu/~icpm/pressreleasefrench.html (francais) Conférence Internationale sur la Gestion Publique, les Politiques et le Développement. The Mozambique conference is sponsored by the International Consortium on Public Management, Policy and Development. Its mission is to strengthen and promote public sector involvement in sustainable community development. This mission is achieved via a forum to facilitate institutional linkages, research, dialogue, and cooperative activities among professionals in government, academia, business, and nonprofit groups. http://www.pitt.edu/~icpm/tracks.html Track 4: Natural Resources and Food Security Reviewing policy innovations in forests and water management, policy and effect of international trade in achieving food security. Track 5: Infrastructure and Public/Private Partnerships Integrating physical and social infrastructure needs and priorities, leveraging resources, investing, privatization, and joint ventures. Track 6: Technology and Development Utilizing science and computers, evolving skills and training person to achieve societal sustainable development. July 20-22, 2003, Portland, Oregon, USA http://www.urisa.org/PPGIS/ppgis.html 2nd Annual Public Participation GIS Conference (PPGIS) Portland State University July 20-25, 2003, Cambridge, U.K. (by invitation only) http://www.cambridgeconference2003.com/index.htm National Mapping - Shaping the future. A newsletter, giving more details about the conference, has been sent out to potential delegates. Ordnance Survey hosted the first two conferences (1995, 1999), which by design aims to get together the senior people in national mapping to discuss, in a relatively informal setting, the challenges facing national mapping around the world. In recent years, the conference has also, not surprisingly, focused on SDI's, training, public private relationships etc. for senior representatives of national mapping organisations of the world. Each time, about 200 delegates from 70 to 80 countries were represented at the conference July 21 - August 1, 2003, Durban, South Africa http://www.ru.ac.za/institutes/rgi/irc2003/IRC2003.htm International Rangeland Congress August 4 - 11, 2003, Bloemfontein, South Africa Water Conservation Technologies for Sustainable Dryland Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (WCT). This event is organized jointly by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Water Research Commission of South Africa (WRC), South Africa's National Department of Agriculture (NDA) and the ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ISCW). This event was initiated by ISCW and the Optimizing Soil Water Use (OSWU) Consortium which is part of the Systemwide Soil, Water and Nutrient Management (SWNM) Programme of CGIAR. Call for papers: abstracts should be submitted by July 30, 2003. Urban-Rural Interrelationship for Sustainable Development Monde urbain et rural pour un environment durable (see below: December 2- 5, 2003, Marrakech, Morocco) http://www.fig.net/figtree/morocco/ August 4 - 6, 2003, Gaborone, Botswana http://www.gsdi.org/SDIA/IGCP_489_Gaborone_1st_circular_03.doc IGCP 482/489: Dynamic Evolution, Resource Potential and Environmental Impact of the East African Rift Systems (the inaugural meeting). August 8-10, 2003 IC WG II/IV, Durban, South Africa http://geo.haifa.ac.il/~icaupdt/meetings/durban/durban.htm 4th Joint ICA/ISPRS/EuroGeographics Workshop on "Incremental Updating and Versioning of Spatial Data Bases" Dr. Ammatzia Peled(Co-chair IC WG II/IV): peled@geo.haifa.ac.il CC: rjb@rjb-3d.com. Antony Cooper(Co-chair ICA WG on IU&V): accoper@csir.co.za August 10-16, 2003, Durban, South Africa http://www.icc2003.gov.za/ 21st International Cartographic Conference & 12th General Assembly of the International Cartographic Association ICA and the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association will offer spatial data infrastructure workshops in conjunction with the International Cartographic Conference August 12-16, 2003, Nairobi, Kenya http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/other/ce2003/default.htm International Civil Engineering Conference on Sustainable Development in the 21st Century. Organized by: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT) August 13-16, 2003, Kemer/Antalya, Turkey http://www.ins.itu.edu.tr/rslucoast1/ International Colloquium Series on Land Use/Cover Change Science and Applications - Studying Land Use Effects in Coastal Zones with Remote Sensing and GIS. This is the first conference of a new colloquium series devoted to the issues of changes in coastal zones as related to land use. Contact: Garik Gutman, Land Cover-Land Use Change Program, NASA HQ, ggutman@hq.nasa.gov, Tel: 1-202-358-0276, Fax: 1-202-358-2770 August 13-20, 2003. Berlin, Germany http://www.isi-2003.de International Statistical Institute, 54th Biennial Session (includes meetings of the Bernoulli Society, the International Association for Statistical Computing, the International Association of Survey Statisticians, the International Association for Official Statistics and the International Association for Statistical Education). Email: isi@cbs.nl August 17-22, 2003, Kruger National Park, South Africa http://safnet.umd.edu/implementation/events/meetings/indiv_mtg_pages/8_03_s afnt_an_mtg.asp Fourth Meeting of Southern Africa Fire Network (SAFNet) The theme of the workshop is "The Use of Remote Sensing to Support Fire Management in Southern Africa" (see draft agenda). Contact: Diane Davies, ddavies@hermes.geog.umd.edu August 25-29, 2003, Abuja, Nigeria http://www.aitecafrica.com/act2002/default.htm The Fifth Annual African Computing & Telecommunications Summit, Mobilising ICT Applications & Projects for effective Corporate, National and Regional Development September 8-17, 2003, Durban, South Africa http://wcpa.iucn.org/wpc/wpc.html Vth World Congress on Protected Areas Sept. 9-12, 2003, Delft, Netherlands http://www.irc.nl/news/wis6.html Sixth Water Information Summit 2003. The Summit's theme is "Breaking the barriers: Let water information flow!" Water and information have a lot in common. Both flow from a source to users. There can be too much of it, or too little, it can be clear or 'polluted'. This event is a joint effort of the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre and the Water Web Consortium, with assistance from the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education and International Institute for Communication and Development. September 14-20, 2003, Edinburgh, Scotland http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/bblza/sav2003/ International Conference on Tropical Savannas and Seasonally Dry Forests: Ecology, Environment and Development. The aim of this meeting is to bring together leading researchers in savanna and dry forest formations throughout the tropics. The conference will focus on five principal themes: Plant Biodiversity; Animal Biodiversity; Palaeo-ecology and Environmental Change; Environment and Environmental Processes; and Human Ecology and Development. The conference is linked to the June workshop in Nairobi (June 2-7) and the E-discussion (March 17 - April 25) September 17-18, 2003, Tehran, Iran http://www.igctmu.org/edefault.htm The Second International Congress of the Geographers of the Islamic World. Email: info@igctmu.org September 17-19, 2003, Quebec, Canada http://www.gfis.net/showannoun.php?id=24 Information Interoperability and Organization for National and Global Forest Information Systems. The goal of the conference is to bring together international scientists, practitioners, administrators, and information professionals to discuss and announce recent research and advances in the use and organization of information within national and global forest information systems. September 21 - 25, 2003, Brno, Czech Republic http://digitalearh03.geogr.muni.cz 3rd Symposium on Digital Earth September 21-16, 2003, University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/aetfat/prog_papers.html The theme of the Congress is "Biodiversity, Ecology, Taxonomy and Phytogeography of African Plants". A number of symposia relating to the theme, and a workshop on threatened plants are planned for the Congress. Original research papers (in English or French) on the conservation, floristics, taxonomy, vegetation and ecology, phytogeography, economic botany and forestry in Africa are invited for presentation and submission for the XVIIth AETFAT Congress. September 22-24, 2003, Biskra, Algeria http://larhyss.net/ http://www.aghtm.org/services/echanges/internationaux/fichiers/14_1.pdf Oasis, Water and Population Conference This conference will consider issues regarding water resources and population in the Oases, town and country planning, and water quality and treatment in arid zones. Contact: info@larhyss.net; Tel: 213-33-733-204; Fax: 213-33-733-204 Dans le cadre de l'année Internationale de l'Eau Douce, l'université de Biskra organise un colloque international: Oasis, Eau et Population September 22-26, 2003, Abuja, Nigeria http://www.lboro.ac.uk/wedc/conferences/29contents.htm 29th WEDC Conference: Towards the Millennium Development Goals - Actions for Water and Environmental Sanitation. Organized by the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) and National Water Resources Institute, this conference will consider the following topics: water supply; environmental sanitation; institutional issues; water resources; and cross cutting issues such as social exclusion, sustainability, urbanization, sustainable livelihoods, poverty and gender linkages, corruption. Contact: Dot Barnard, Conference Co-organizer, WEDC, wedc.conf@lboro.co.uk September 26-28, 2003, Bremen, Germany http://bremen.unsgac.org/ http://bremen.unsgac.org/apply/ The Space Generation Congress (SGC) is a meeting of approximately 200 international young delegates to articulate the vision of young people on the future utilization and exploration of space. Over the course of the three days of the SGC, delegates will work together on projects and initiatives on the theme of 'Building an active global community'. Students and young professionals between the ages of 18-35 who have an interest in space and space policy are encouraged to apply, particularly those from developing countries. September 29 - October 1, 2003, South Africa http://www.gims.com/7ShowsConferences/GIMSUserConferenceNews/Home/7ShowsCon ferences/GISinAfrica GIS in Africa: the 5th GIMS User Conference, South Africa's Contact: GIMS, Patrick McKivergan, pmckivergan@gims.com, This year there will be a new format and GIMS will be offering Pre- Conference Workshops on Monday 29 September ahead of the 2 day Conference (30 September and 1 October). http://www.gims.com September 29-October 1, 2003, Japan http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/africa/ticad3/concept.html The Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III). TICAD III is not a meeting for pledging but one for delivering philosophy for African development toward the 21st century. The backbone for TICAD III will be support for NEPAD, the manifestation of Africa's ownership. September 29 - October 3, 2003, Weimar, Germany: http://www.eumetsat.de/en/area2/conf_work/Weimar/1Ann_Draftrev-2.pdf The 2003 Eumetsat Meteorological Satellite Conference September 29 - October 3, 2003, Moscow, Russia http://wccc2003@mecom.ru World Climate Change Conference. Executive Secretariat (scientific issues): Yu.Izrael@g23.relcom.ru October 1-2, 2003, Paris, France http://www.esrifrance.fr/actu/SIG2003/accueil_sig2003.htm SIG 2003 de la Conférence Francophone ESRI PACI (Palais des Congrès d'Issy les Moulineaux) Email: sig2003@esrifrance.fr October 6-8, 2003, Sun City, South Africa http://www.saoug.co.za/conference/2003/index.asp Oracle User Group Conference October 13-14, 2003, Pretoria, South Africa http://www.nsif.org.za The National Spatial Information Framework will be hosting its 5th Anniversary. The first day will include a session on African Spatial Information perspectives, most likely including speakers from SADC countries. October 16-18, 2003: 2003. Montreal, Canada http://www.ihdp.uni-bonn.de/html/other/open%20_meeting_2003.htm http://www.ihdp.uni-bonn.de/word_docs/other/5thOpen%20Meeting.doc Open Meeting of the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Research Community. Updated information will be posted at the 2001 open meeting web site: http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/openmeeting/ October 16-18, 2003, Genova, Italy http://www.gisig.it/coastgis/home.htm Fifth International Symposium on GIS and Computer Cartography for Coastal Zone Management. CoastGIS is a collaborative initiative of the International Geographical Union's Commission on Coastal Systems and the International Cartographic Association's Commission on Marine Cartography. October 17-22, 2003, Cairo, Egypt http://www.isocarp.org The 39th International Planning Congress Organized by: International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP). Email: secretariat@isocarp.org October 19-31, 2003. Bonn, Germany 6th Conference of the Parties to the Convention to Combat Desertification. Contact: CCD Secretariat: Tel 49-228-815 2800; Fax 49-228-815 2898/99; secretariat@unccd.int; www.unccd.int October 27-29, 2003, Cape Town, South Africa http://www.nrf.ac.za/saeon/globalchange/saglobal.htm http://www.nrf.ac.za/saeon/globalchange/announcement.htm Global Change and Regional Sustainability in South Africa Symposium The South African Scientific Committee on Global Change (SASCGC) announces a national symposium on the implications of important drivers of global change for national and regional sustainability of human and ecological systems in South Africa. The SASCGC is a national committee of the International Science Union (ICSU), functioning under the auspices of the National Research Foundation. Complete the registration form in full and submit to e-mail before 29 August if you wish to attend. October 2003, Capetown, South Africa (tentative) Science Policy Conference on Global Change and the Vulnerability of Land and Water Resources in Africa. Contact: Eric Odada, eodada@uonbi.ac.ke Also tentativel: START Pan-Africa Regional Committee (PACOM) Meeting Contact: Eric Odada, eodada@uonbi.ac.ke November 4-8, 2003, Dakar, Senegal http://213.154.74.37/agis2003/default.htm (announcement in French) http://www.gsdi.org/docs/SDIA/First_announcement_def.pdf AfricaGIS '03. Check EIS-AFRICA website for more details as they become available. http://www.eis-africa.org. The main theme for AfricaGIS '03 is 'Meeting the Information Needs for the NEPAD'. Le thème principal retenu pour GIS Afrique ’03 est 'vers une satisfaction des besoins informationnels du NEPAD' November 4-7, 2003, Washington, DC, USA http://gsdi.org/SDIA/gdinfinal.pdf http://www.gdin.org GDIN2003, Sixth Annual Conference of the Global Disaster Information Network. For questions on gdin2003, send an email to gdin2003@hotmail.com. For questions on GDIN, send an email to gdin@hotmail.com [the GDIN Secretariat is pleased to announce that the Government of South Africa has offered to host GDIN2004]. November 10-14, 2003, Honolulu, HI, USA http://isrse.pdc.org/ 30th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment December 2003, Lebanon Symposium on Water Resources and Desertification As a follow up to the Rabat Symposium which covered this topic for the regions of North Africa and the Sahel in 2002, this Symposium will be held in Lebanon for Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Syria and, of course Lebanon. It will be co-organised with UNESCO and co-sponsored by the United Nation's Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN/OSSA). December 2- 5, 2003, Marrakech, Morocco http://www.fig.net/figtree/morocco/ Urban-Rural Interrelationship for Sustainable Development Monde urbain et rural pour un environment durable 2nd FIG Regional Conference for the Arab Countries and Francophone Africa, and 3rd National Surveying Day. Organised by FIG, Ordre National des Ingenieurs Geometres - Topographes ONIGT. Co-sponsored by FIG Commissions 2, 3 and 5. Contact: FIG Office, email: fig@fig.net Call for papers: abstracts should be submitted by July 30, 2003. December 8-12, 2003, Tunis, Tunisia http://www.uaps.org/cap2003/cap2003eng/indexcap2003en.htm http://www.uaps.org/cap2003/cap2003eng/appelcom.htm (call for presentations) The Fourth African Population Conference For more information: Mister Mbaye Diouf Ndiaye, cap2003@uaps.org Sub-themes (informal sessions) 1. Community Approaches And Implementing Population Policies(APAC) 2. NGO Partnership In Reproductive Health And Poverty(CEFA) 3. Methods Of Quality Data Collection And Analysis(CERPOD) 4. Governance, Civil Society And Poverty(UNDP) 5. Governance And HIV/AIDS(IDRC/RARS) 6. Geographic Information System From EDS Data(MACRO Internatinal) 7. Access And Use Of Data(MACRO International) December 10-12, 2003, Geneva, Switzerland http://www.itu.int/wsis/ World Summit on the Information Society, First Phase. early 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 Feb 2-6, 2004, Bangalore, India http://www.gsdi.org http://www.gsdi.org/GSDI7/Gsdi7FirstAnnouncementFinal.pdf 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 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 12-23, 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. See website for further details. 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 Phlippe Lagacherie, lagacherie@ensam.inra.fr. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 announcements, 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/