GSDI-8 Cairo Egypt
17-21 April 2005
Resolution 1 Reaffirmation of Goals
Resolution 2 Support by Government
The participants in GSDI-8 urge governments of the world to (1) support the establishment of national spatial data infrastructures in all nations and (2) recognize the need for concentrated efforts to develop human resources, standards, and policies that advance spatial data infrastructures.
Resolution 3 Support by the Commercial Sector
The participants in GSDI-8 recognize the critical role of the private commercial sector in creating and maintaining spatial data infrastructures as well as in advancing the tools, techniques and methods in support of spatial data infrastructures. We encourage commercial companies in all nations to continue to work toward common standards and methods to the benefit of all.
Resolution 4 Support by Academia and Non-Profit Sectors
The participants in GSDI-8 recognize the crucial role of scholarly research in advancing the scientific foundations of GSDI and education and training in making possible the implementation of GSDI concepts and methods. We further recognize the critical role of volunteerism and cooperative efforts in advancing spatial data infrastructure concepts and implementations. Those in the academic and non-profit sectors are urged to commit to the missions and goals of the GSDI Association and become fully engaged in working towards those ideals.
Resolution 5 Capacity Building for NSDI
The GSDI Association should give special attention to developing human and institutional resources with particular emphasis on sustained capacity building in developing nations. The organization should develop and pursue an overall strategy for human and institutional resource development.
Resolution 6 Technical Issues of Data Access and Interoperability
There is a recognized need to endorse standards-based data, spatial web services, metadata, catalogs, portals and registries for improving data access and visual integration of local, national, regional, and global data. The GSDI Association should continue to support such standards-based approaches for global to local access and use, encouraging the development of educational materials on these topics and collaborating on deployment of spatial web services.
Resolution 7 Legal and Economic Issues
There is a strong need to share approaches and experiences in addressing legal and economic impediments to the implementation of national spatial data infrastructures. Those knowledgeable about legal, economic and policy settings are urged to describe those settings in each nation and describe how impediments to spatial data infrastructure developments are or may be overcome. The participants in GSDI 8 urge the removal of barriers to the broad use of governments spatial data to the greatest extent possible in all nations.
Resolution 8 Peoples Participation
The participants in GSDI-8 recognize that SDIs can be an important tool for empowerment of communities at the grassroots enabling them to work towards the ideals of sustainable development. This requires a strong thrust towards designing and developing concepts, mechanisms, and tools that make SDIs usable and affordable at the local community level. The GSDI Association fully supports such approaches.
Resolution 9 Middle East Initiatives
Acknowledging opportunities to strengthen local, national and regional SDI groups to represent the interests of countries in the Middle East, the GSDI Association looks forward to continued and expanded spatial data infrastructure educational, research, project, and communication activities and initiatives with agencies, organizations, and individuals from throughout the region as part of or in cooperation with the GSDI Association.
Resolution 10 GSDI-9
Acknowledging opportunities to strengthen regional SDI groups to represent the interests of countries in South America and the Caribbean, and in support of working with other international organizations, the GSDI Association will conduct the GSDI-9 meeting in Santiago, Chile in conjunction with Instituto Geografico Militar (IGM) on 4-10 November 2006.
Resolution 11 Recognition and Thanks to the Organizers of GSDI-8
A special note of thanks in recognition that the success of GSDI-8 is directly related to the hard work, tireless efforts and financial support of:
Resolution 12 Recognition and Thanks to Our Outgoing GSDI President
For his leadership, organizational skills, humor and enthusiasm we express special gratitude to Mukund Rao.
GSDI-7 Bangalore
2-6 February 2004
Resolution 1 Reaffirmation of Goals
The participants in GSDI-7 reaffirm the importance of advancing the following
goals as specified in the bylaws of the GSDI Association:
Resolution 2 Support by Government
The participants in GSDI-7 urge the GSDI Association to find ways to work with
governments of the world to (1) support the establishment of national spatial
data infrastructures in all nations and (2) recognize the need for concentrated
efforts to develop human resources, standards, and policies that advance spatial
data infrastructures.
Resolution 3 Support by the Commercial Sector
The participants in GSDI-7 recognize the critical role of the private commercial
sector in creating and maintaining spatial data infrastructures as well as in
advancing the tools, techniques and methods in support of spatial data
infrastructures. We encourage commercial companies in all nations to continue to
work toward common standards and methods to the benefit of all.
Resolution 4 Support by Academia and Non-Profit Sectors
The participants in GSDI-7 recognize the crucial role of scholarly research in
advancing the scientific foundations of GSDI and education and training in
making possible the implementation of GSDI concepts and methods. We further
recognize the critical role of volunteerism and cooperative efforts in advancing
spatial data infrastructure concepts and implementations. Those in the academic
and non-profit sectors are urged to commit to the missions and goals of the GSDI
Association and become fully engaged in working towards those ideals.
Resolution 5 Capacity Building for NSDI
The GSDI Association should give special attention to developing human and
institutional resources including research capacity with particular emphasis on
sustained capacity building in developing nations. The organization should
develop and pursue an overall strategy for human and institutional resource
development prior to the next meeting.
Resolution 6 Technical Issues of Data Access and Interoperability
There is a recognized need to endorse standards-based catalogs, map services and
portals for improving data access and visual integration of national, regional,
and global data. The GSDI Association should continue to support such catalogs,
data services and portals for global to local access and use, encouraging the
development of educational materials on these topics and collaborating on
deployment of spatial web services.
Resolution 7 Legal and Economic Issues
There is a strong need to share approaches and experiences in addressing legal,
economic, policy and institutional impediments to the implementation of national
spatial data infrastructures. Those knowledgeable about legal, economic and
policy settings are urged to describe those settings in each nation and describe
how impediments to spatial data infrastructure developments are being overcome.
The participants in GSDI-7 urge the removal of barriers to the broad use of
governments spatial data to the greatest extent possible in all nations.
Resolution 8 Peoples Participation
The participants in GSDI-7 recognize that SDIs can be an important tool for
empowerment of communities at the grassroots enabling them to work towards the
ideals of sustainable development. This requires a strong thrust towards
designing and developing concepts, mechanisms, and tools that make SDIs usable
and affordable at the local community level as well as supporting control over
any developed assets at the community level. The participants urge the GSDI
Association to fully incorporate such a thrust in their strategy and action
plan.
Resolution 9 Initiation of the GSDI Association
The participants in GSDI-7 support the newly formed Council and elected Board of
Directors and encourage them to pursue long-term sustainability for the
organization. Initial priorities should include growing the membership and
responding to the needs of the membership with practical visible outputs and
benefits. To further that aim, the GSDI Association should prepare a detailed
member survey in order to assess the priorities of the members and act on them
within the constraints of the budget. The survey should incorporate suggested
activities from the strategic plan.
Resolution 10 Pursuing a Secretariat in India
The participants in GSDI-7 greatly appreciate the offer for hosting a
Secretariat in Bangalore India. The conference attendees strongly endorse
pursuing establishment of a Secretariat in India and urges the Board to work out
the modalities in this regard.
Resolution 11 World Summit on the Information Society
The participants in GSDI-7 recognize the importance of spatial data and services
in the evolving information society and encourage the GSDI Association to seek
substantive participation in the Summit in Tunis in 2005.
Resolution 12 GSDI-8
Acknowledging opportunities to strengthen regional SDI groups to represent the
interests of countries in Africa and the Middle East, and in support of working
with other international organizations, the GSDI Association will conduct the
GSDI-8 meeting in Cairo, Egypt in conjunction with FIG on 16-21 April 2005. By
acclamation, the participants in GSDI-7 accept and endorse this action.
Resolution 13 GSDI-9
Acknowledging opportunities to strengthen regional SDI groups within the
Americas, the GSDI Association is encouraged to explore opportunities to conduct
the GSDI-9 meeting in Chile.
Resolution 14 Recognition and Thanks to the U.S. Federal Geographic Data
Committee
The participants in GSDI-7 recognize the invaluable support of the U.S. Federal
Geographic Data Committee in initiating and fully supporting organized
approaches and efforts in advancing SDI concepts on a global basis. While it has
encouraged the establishment of a global non-profit association in order to
expand the influence and implementation of SDI concepts globally, the
participants of this meeting gratefully thank the FGDC for its past support,
encourage continued full engagement by FGDC, and look forward to its continued
strong support as the new organization expands its influence on a world stage.
Resolution 15 Recognition and Thanks to the Founding Visionaries
On the occasion of the first meeting of the GSDI Association Council and the
election of its first Board of Directors, the participants in GSDI-7 recognize
and acknowledge the founding visionaries, and in particular Klaus Barwinski,
Michael Brand, and Fritz Petersohn who recognized that spatial data
infrastructure concepts might advance the well being of citizens in all nations
of the world and organized the first meetings of the GSDI community.
Resolution 16 Recognition and Thanks to the Organizers of GSDI-7
A special note of thanks in recognition of the success of GSDI-7 is directly
related to the hard work and tireless efforts of:
Resolution 17 Recognition and Thanks to Our Outgoing President
For his leadership, organizational skills, humor and wit we express special
gratitude to Ian Masser.
GSDI-6 Budapest
15-19 September 2002
Resolution 1 Transition to GSDI Association
The participants in GSDI-6 support the existing Board of Directors and the need
to expand the membership to strengthen the capacity and share the work of the
transition of the GSDI organization to a permanent and sustainable status. To
further that aim, the following actions will be taken:
Resolution 2 Reaffirmation of Goals
The GSDI Association reaffirms the importance of working to the following goals:
Resolution 3 Awareness
The GSDI council and members will promote the engagement of local, state,
national, and regional providers of all forms of spatial information, such as
social and economic information, so that the geographic dimensions of this
information are fully accommodated in the implementation of the Spatial Data
Infrastructures.
Resolution 4 Capacity Building for NSDI
The GSDI Association will give special attention to develop capacity building
efforts with particular reference to obtaining resources for sustained capacity
building in developing nations.
Resolution 5 Regional SDI Groups
The GSDI Association recognises the important role played by regional SDI
groups, and particularly groups such as ECA/CODI in developing regions, and
resolves to support these groups in their efforts in capacity building and
training, raising funds, increasing levels of participation, policy
implementation in member states, and improving technology infrastructures.
Resolution 6 Collaboration
The GSDI realizes the criticality of collaboration with other global
organisations and will continue its efforts to find ways to develop combined
initiatives in the areas of :
Awareness and outreach
Joint meetings, conferences, workshops
Capacity building
Implementing SDI policies in developing nations.
Resolution 7 WSSD
The GSDI Association notes that the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World
Summit on Sustainable Development included actions related to global spatial
data. The GSDI Association recognises the efforts of ISCGM in achieving this
outcome. The GSDI will takes steps to become a type II organization under the
WSSD and comply with the Plan of Implementation.
Resolution 8 Information Dissemination
The GSDI should encourage national and regional SDI entities to make concerted
efforts to disseminate the information to the regional SDI and the GSDI
respectively, on upcoming events as well as the results of past forums
(conferences, workshops, training etc).
Resolution 9 Data Access and Interoperability
There is a recognized need to further demonstrate the utility of catalogs and
map services for improving data access and integration of national, regional,
and global data. The GSDI Association will support operationalising Global Map
and Global Land Cover by promoting and sustaining interoperable catalog, map,
and data services for global to local access and use.
Resolution 10 Stakeholder Participation
The continued involvement of representatives from the public, private, and
academic sectors is critical to advance a Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI).
It is important for the interests of all sectors to be adequately represented in
both the planning and execution of future programs under the GSDI.
The GSDI Association will encourage broad but balanced participation among all
sectors in the GSDI planning process and programs that follow.
Resolution 11 SDI Best Practices
To accelerate the development and sharing of best practices in SDI
implementation, increased participation is required on the Legal and Economic
and Technical Working Groups to create and collate common information resources
and guidance for global reference and adoption.
Resolution 12 GSDI-7
India will host the GSDI-7 meeting in Bangalore in late January 2004. The Indian
delegation has nominated Dr. Mukund Rao as the President-elect of the GSDI
Association. By acclamation, the GSDI accepts these actions.
Resolution 13 GSDI-8
Acknowledging the opportunities to strengthen regional SDI groups to represent
the interests of countries in Africa and the Middle East, and in support of
working with other international organisations, the GSDI Secretariat will
continue to explore opportunities with FIG and ECA/CODI for conducting the
GSDI-8 meeting in Cairo, Egypt in conjunction with the FIG working week meeting
in May 2005.
Resolution 14 Thanks to Intergraph
The GSDI Board acknowledges the establishment of the Intergraph Open
Interoperability Grant Program and thanks Preetha Pulusani, President of
Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions.
Resolution 15 Thanks to John Moeller
The GSDI recognizes the contributions by John Moeller as staff director of the
US FGDC who had the vision and the willingness to contribute his time and the
resources of the FGDC into GSDI. On the occasion of his recent retirement, we
are sad to lose his personal participation, contributions, and positive
personality, and wish him well in his future.
Resolution 16 Recognition
A special vote of thanks in recognition of the success of GSDI-6 is directly
related to the hard work and tireless efforts of:
HUNAGI, Gabor Remet ey-Fulopp, and the local organizing committee here in
Budapest
EUROGI, Karen Levoleger, Anton Wolfkamp, Bino Marchesini, and Ian Masser
The GSDI Secretariat, John Moeller and Alan Stevens
Submitted: Santiago Borrero
Final Revised Version - July13, 2001
5th GSDI CONFERENCE
May 21-24, 2001, CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Conference resolved that:
Resolution 1 Definition of the GSDI
The GSDI Steering Committee (Steering Committee) agrees to an expansion of the
definition for the GSDI as follows: The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure
supports ready global access to geographic information. This is achieved through
the coordinated actions of nations and organizations that promote awareness and
implementation of complimentary policies, common standards and effective
mechanisms for the development and availability of interoperable digital
geographic data and technologies to support decision making at all scales for
multiple purposes. These actions encompass the policies, organizational remits,
data, technologies, standards, delivery mechanisms, and financial and human
resources necessary to ensure that those working at the global and regional
scale are not impeded in meeting their objectives
Resolution 2. GSDI Organization
The Steering Committee resolves to form a not-for-profit corporation to replace
the Steering Committee and to oversight the implementation of the GSDI in the
future. The Steering Committee hereby establishes a Task Group to make
recommendations to the Steering Committee and then to implement decisions of the
Steering Committee in relation to the creation of a not-for-profit corporation.
The Task Group consists of Santiago Borrero (Convenor), John Moeller, Anton
Wolfkamp, Yoshihisa Hoshino, Harlan Onsrud and Doug Nebert.
The following tasks are assigned to the Group for completion on behalf of the
Steering Committee:
During the intervening period the GSDI will continue to be guided by the Steering Committee which is recognized as the guiding authority in accord with its Leadership Roles and Responsibilities.
Resolution 3 . Relationship between the GSDI and other relevant global
initiatives
The Steering Committee recognizes that there are a number of global and other
relevant initiatives, for example, the Digital Earth initiative, the Global
Disaster Information Network (GDIN), the International Steering Committee for
Global Mapping (ISCGM), the International Geosphere-Biosphere Project (IGBP),
that seek to improve the use of geographic information. These initiatives often
seek to focus on certain categories of data, decision requirements or regions of
the world. Substantial benefit can potentially be derived for GSDI and these
initiatives by better understanding of the aims of each initiative and by
alignment of actions to minimize duplication if any exists and to adopt common
practices and principles.
Resolution 3 a. United Nations Geographic Data Base
The Chair of the Steering Committee and a small Task Group will prepare a
statement supporting collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Geographic Data
Base Initiative. With the assistance of the UN Cartographic Section and other UN
Agencies, the Task Group will also investigate the preparation of materials that
will aid in communicating the message of the GSDI and also address collaborative
opportunities with the UN Geographic Information Working Group.
Resolution 3 b. Digital Earth
The Digital Earth vision and Global Spatial Data Infrastructure development and
implementation are both devoted to providing nations, communities and citizens
with greater ability to use data in new and varied ways to improve economic,
social and environmental sustainability. The Steering Committee, recognizing the
potential benefits of close coordination and collaboration between these
globally significant initiatives, invites the Steering Committee for the
International Symposium for Digital Earth (ISDE) to jointly explore
opportunities to align the work of the two Committees to ensure mutually
beneficial results that will serve our global community.
The Steering Committee conducts Conferences in a different region of the world on an annual basis. The ISDE is holding its second symposium and is anticipated to discuss a 3 rd such session at the upcoming meeting in Fredericton New Brunswick. The Steering Committee believes that the collaboration between GSDI and Digital Earth activities will be greatly enhanced if in the near future a common Conference location is selected and the two initiatives conduct at least one day of joint meetings. The Steering Committee has selected Budapest, Hungary as the site for GSDI 6 in September 2002. The Steering Committee would be pleased to welcome the 3 rd ISDE meeting to be held in conjunction with GSDI 6. If this is impractical, the Steering Committee wishes to express its willingness to conduct a joint meeting as soon as practical thereafter.
Resolution 3 c. GDIN
The Steering Committee believes that the GSDI and its nested network of regional
and national spatial data infrastructures (SDI) are beginning to provide a
worldwide resource of more accessible and useable spatial data for many decision
applications. GDIN is an initiative that will benefit immensely from a fully
developed GSDI that has the ability to provide ready access to current and
accurate spatial data for local to global application and use.
The Steering Committee believes that there are many opportunities for GDIN and GSDI to engage in mutually beneficial activities. The Steering Committee wishes to express its willingness to the GDIN Executive Committee to seek ways in which the two activities can build upon and support the work of the other.
Resolution 4. The World Summit on Sustainable Development
The World Summit on Sustainable Development will take place in Johannesburg,
South Africa in September 2002. It examines the accomplishments of the world
with respect to Agenda 21 which was adopted at the first United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which took place in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. Given that the real value of the GSDI is in the good it
can do for the people of the world with regards to sustainable development, the
Steering Committee resolves that the Chair set up a Task Force to prepare a
statement on GSDI and Sustainable Development to be sent to the organizers for
presentation at the Conference, and urging that SDI topics be incorporated into
the Summit program.
The Steering Committee further resolves to encourage national governments and non-government organizations involved in the Summit to: (1) expand the use of spatial data in decision making, (2) make use of the principles and concepts of the GSDI in activities that use spatial data for presentation of decision making, and (3) support the development and use of appropriate decision support systems.
Resolution 5. GSDI Implementation Guide
The rapid pace of development in technology creates a complex landscape of
standards and policies that, independently, are difficult to assimilate into a
consistent infrastructure. The Steering Committee resolves that the
Implementation Guide (Cookbook) is a useful, dynamic resource providing guidance
and context for the adoption of such practices. The Steering Committee
gratefully accepts and receives the translations of the Cookbook Version 1.1 in
Spanish by the Mercator organization in Spain, and the Chinese version by the
State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of China. Be it resolved that member
organizations commit to contributing materials, engaging in discussion, and
providing maintenance and updates for the Implementation Guide in multiple
languages for periodic re-distribution as technologies and practices evolve.
Resolution 6. Common Implementation Practices
To promote encourage adoption of common practices and standards for GSDI around
the globe, the Steering Committee supports the practice of encouraging strategic
letters of commitment from GSDI members for the adoption and implementation of
mature standards and practices. Member institutions and vendors will be
encouraged to make a formal, written commitment to the adoption of recommended
practices that will help establish an interoperable GSDI framework. The wording
of each strategic letter of commitment would be carefully chosen so as to
promote maximum consistency of adoption and interpretation. This action would
enhance the stature of and commitment to ISO/TC 211, OGC, and other relevant
standards by multiple participant sectors. The Steering Committee resolves that
the Technical Working Group and the Permanent Secretariat will take the
necessary actions to implement this resolution.
Resolution 7. Decision Making and the GSDI
The purpose of the GSDI is to improve the availability, accessibility, and
applicability of spatial information for decision-making. With this in mind the
Steering Committee resolves to establish a Task Group chaired by John Kelmelis
from the USA to conduct a study on the relationship of the GSDI to decision
making and to prepare a presentation for the GSDI 6 conference.
Resolution 8. Dissemination of Proven Practices
Participants recognized that knowledge about the non-technical aspects of
implementing SDI at different levels (sub-national, national and regional) is
emerging from case studies, surveys and other types of research. There was
consensus that efforts should be devoted to organizing and disseminating this
wealth of knowledge in a much more effective fashion. The conference resolved
that this should be done initially by providing concerted access to existing
material via a dedicated page on the GSDI website, followed by regular updates
to reflect further developments in this area. The GSDI Steering Committee
resolves to establish a Task Group facilitated by Uta Wenn de Montalvo, to work
with the Permanent Secretariat to accomplish this task.
Resolution 9. Acknowledgement of Contributions of Professor John E. Estes
The Steering Committee, on behalf of all nations and peoples who are seeking
greater understanding and knowledge about the nature of the relationship of
humankind and its surroundings, wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the
late Professor John E. Estes to this quest. Professor Estes' lifelong
contributions to humanity will profoundly influence scholarly thought and
practical implementation of improvements in the way in which geography and
geographic information and technologies are used in everyday life.
Resolution 10. Global Map/ GSDI Grant Program
The Steering Committee acknowledges the establishment of the Global Map/GSDI
Grant Program by Jack Dangermond, President of ESRI in memory of the late
Professor John E. Estes. The Steering Committee resolves to collaborate with the
ISCGM and contribute in the definition and implementation of the Grant Program,
by providing criteria and assistance as needed to assure that the principles and
practices of GSDI are achieved as foreseen by Professor Estes.
Resolution 11. GSDI Conferences
The Steering Committee resolves to convene the GSDI 6 Conference in Budapest,
Hungary in the week beginning September 16, 2002 in order to take advantage of
the results of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
The GSDI Steering Committee resolves to accept the offer by the PCGIAP to
determine a host for GSDI 7 to be held in the Asia/Pacific region in late 2003
or early 2004.
Resolution 12. Vote of Thanks
The GSDI Steering Committee thanks the Government of Colombia; Juan Mayr,
Minister of the Environment of Colombia; Mr. Santiago Borrero, Director of
Agustin Codazzi Geographic Institute (IGAC); IGAC Staff, PC IDEA and the
Conference Organizing Committee for all of their hard work and excellent
delivery of this Conference. We appreciate their efforts in making this
Conference a success.
3rd Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Conference
Canberra, A.C.T., Australia
17-19 November 1998
The GSDI Conference Participants Resolved That:
Resolution 1
The conference resolved that a global umbrella organisation, which brings
together regional committees, national committees, and other relevant
international institutions be established. As an interim measure, the GSDI
Steering Committee should be restructured modestly and continue to serve as the
guiding body for the GSDI as a step toward a permanent umbrella organisation.
Resolution 2
The conference resolved that the GSDI Steering Committee support and advocate
for transitional initiatives, in particular, Permanent Committees for GIS
Infrastructure for the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.
Resolution 3
The conference resolved to request the Statistics Division of the United Nations
to submit the following statement to an appropriate United Nations body for
consideration:
"Recognising that implementation of the objectives of Agenda 21 requires
transnational understanding and analysis of environmental data the ECOSOC urges
countries, to the extent possible and consistent with national priorities, to
develop national spatial data information systems and cooperate to develop
international spatial data standards."
Resolution 4
The conference resolved that the GSDI Steering Committee commission a major
study into the business case for SDI development. The study will identify the
economic, social, environmental and disaster management benefits that can be
achieved through development of national and regional SDI's and the global SDI.
Resolution 5
Participants at this conference endorsed the need for a future meeting to
continue activities of the GSDI begun in Konigswinter, Germany and carried
forward at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA and at Canberra, A.C.T., Australia.
There was consensus to accept the invitation of South Africa that the next
meeting is early in the year 2000 in South Africa. Further, there was consensus
to accept the invitation of South America to hold the following meeting in 2001
and Colombia was requested to accept responsibility to develop the conference
site. Finally, there was consensus that the conference should rotate after 2001
to other regions of the world.
Finally, The GSDI Conference Participants Agreed That:
Agreement 1
The meeting recognizes and appreciates the efforts provided by the GSDI Steering
Committee, the Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the
Pacific and, especially, the Australian Surveying and Land Information Group in
support of this conference and its constituency as a whole by their example.
Agreement 2
These resolutions should be disseminated as widely as possible at the local,
national, regional and international levels.
Global Spatial Data Infrastructure
Conference Findings and Resolutions
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
21 October 1997
The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Conference Participants Found That:
Finding 1
The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure -- which encompasses policies,
organizational remits, data, technologies, standards, delivery mechanisms, and
financial and human resources -- is critical to the attainment of substantial
and sustainable development in both the developed and developing countries of
the world.
Finding 2
The GSDI is of vital importance to implementation of Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit
and to the multi-national environmental conventions, and should be placed as
central support for decision making before the meeting of the UN Commission on
Sustainable Development in 2001.
Finding 3
It is necessary to seek involvement and support of decision-makers at the
highest levels of business, government, and academia in establishing the GSDI;
and to generate support at the local, national, regional and international
levels. In particular, it is important to involve the G7 countries, the UN
Institutions, and the World Bank in the creation and use of the GSDI.
Finding 4
Numerous international activities are seeking to forward aspects of the GSDI
e.g., the International Steering Committee for Global Mapping oversees an effort
to develop global spatial databases. It is important that all international
groups working toward the development of the GSDI participate in future
processes of its evolution and that they communicate, coordinate, and
collaborate to the fullest extent practicable. These groups include (but are not
limited to) Federation Internationale des Geometres, International Cartographic
Association, International Hydrographic Organization, International Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, International Standards Organization,
International Steering Committee for Global Mapping, Open GIS Consortium, and
NATO's Digital Geographic Information Working Group.
Finding 5
There is a need to foster education and research activities that go beyond
treatment of geospatial data in solely a technical fashion. It is important that
such activities include the creation of suitable tools in universities,
government and the private sector to foster the use, demonstration, spread of
good practice, and thoughtful application of results of this research.
The GSDI Conference Participants Resolved That:
Resolution 1
There is a need for an organizational nucleus to encourage the creation,
development and linkage of local, national, regional and global geospatial data
infrastructures. This informal inter-organizational effort, to be chaired by
Jane Smith Patterson, Science and Technology Advisor to the Governor of the
State of North Carolina, is charged with proposing the following:
a governing body and mode of operation;
methods of funding and support; and
an initial strategy for implementing the resolutions approved by this
conference.
Resolution 2
Permanent regional committees for geographic information e.g., the Permanent
Committee on Geographic Information for Asia and the Pacific and the European
Umbrella Organisation for Geographical Information, are important to the success
of the GSDI. There is a need to encourage development of these permanent
committees during 1998 in regions where currently they do not exist, such as the
Americas, Africa, and the Middle East.
Resolution 3
It is essential to have a family of standards as the foundation for technical
implementation of the GSDI, and all standards created or utilized for the GSDI
should be international standards. ISO/TC 211 should serve as the tool for
developing specific standards related to the GSDI and the GI community should
participate and influence standards through the liaison mechanism of ISO.
However GSDI should include more than just ISO/TC 211 and embrace underlying
standards, such as the information technology standards, which tie the
development of GSDI to the Global Information Infrastructure.
Resolution 4
There is a need to explore the extent to which local, national and regional data
sets can be translated into international ones, and how data definitions can be
harmonized without losing their primary relevance or compromising the political
and legal diversity amongst nations. As such the meeting delegates agreed with
the need to:
Resolution 5
The problem solving capabilities and social and economic benefits of the GSDI
should be advanced and clearly demonstrated. The meeting agreed to foster and
encourage:
Resolution 6
Participants at this conference endorsed the need for a future meeting to
continue activities leading to the development of the GSDI begun in Bonn and
carried forward at Chapel Hill. There was consensus that the next meeting should
be in the Asia/Pacific rim and delegates from that area agreed to discuss at the
next meeting of the Permanent Committee on Geographic Information for Asia and
the Pacific. The meeting should be open to as broad a community of participants
as possible.
Finally, the GSDI Conference Participants Proposed That:
The definition of GSDI should be further discussed and resolved. It should generally encompass "the policies, organizational remits, data, technologies, standards, delivery mechanisms, and financial and human resources necessary to ensure that those working at the global and regional scale are not impeded in meeting their objectives. "
The concept of GSDI periodically needs to be redefined. The paper "Applied and Academic Geomatics into the 21st Century," which was produced by the Atlantic Institute as a result of a series of think tank conferences, should be accepted as a discussion document for government, academic, and private sector initiatives to enhance research, education, and training at the local, national, regional and global levels.
The meeting recognizes and appreciates the efforts provided by the state of North Carolina and, especially, the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis in support of this conference and its constituency as a whole by their example.
These resolutions should be disseminated as widely as possible at the local, national, regional and international levels.
The first GSDI meeting arrived at no formal resolutions. Working groups spent much of the meeting raising and exploring unanswered questions. The meeting report contains the following language within the conclusion:
A consensus was clearly reached that NOW is the right time to start thinking about the GSDI concept, major issues affecting GSDI, and a possible "implementation plan", although what was to be "implemented" was still a very grey area! It was proposed that this GSDI Forum should be extended to all sectors in the Spatial Data/Geographical Information communities, worldwide, and should meet again in a period of 7 to 9 months to continue the dialogue, after informal (volunteer!) working groups had investigated the problems likely to surface in regards to more global use of GI.