Global Map/GSDI Grant Program Conference Call

December 13, 2002

 

Minutes

 

 

Attendees

 

Alan Stevens

Fraser Taylor

Karen Kline

Bill Shepherd

Jeanne Foust

Claudia Ruiz

 

Topics

 

The order of the topics was switched, as follows:

 

5. Operating Procedures

 

·          Welcome to Dr. Taylor.

 

·          ESRI will keep on fully supporting the Global Map & GSDI initiatives.  In this coming stage of implementation we will like these organizations to take the lead in the capacity building and funding activities.

 

·          The group would talk once a month the next conference call to be scheduled in the last week of January.

 

·          We would like to find mechanisms to disseminate information and seek a more active collaboration from other regions in the world through PCIDEA, PCGIAP, and other regional committees. Alan will propose ideas.

 

2. Capacity Building

 

·          Updated training schedule

 

·          Capacity Building funds: Fraser will talk to Peter Holland and JICA about funding sources and opportunities.  He also mentioned several funding sources through the Japanese government and Mexican trust funds.  Will explore into these options.

 

·          Update on World Bank InfoDev’s short-listing of our training proposal.  Alan will keep us up date on developments.  Concept paper sent by Alan Stevens to the group.

 

I am copying Fraser’s email to Alan, which summarizes the approach proposed:

“The idea of a value added component to a number of international initiatives on the application of geographic information processing to the problems of development makes a great deal of sense and is fully deserving of support.  Capacity building is key and we can certainly build on what we are currently doing with the ESRI scholarship funds much more effectively than we have done in the past.  Your initiative in this respect is a very welcome one.  There will be little argument over the value of the proposal.  The key issue will be how to implement it effectively.  As with any development project the key is to ensure that we are responding to perceived and recognized needs of the governments and peoples of the nations concerned and that we are driven by demand rather than supply.  The record, as the recent National Academies report shows, suggests that this has not always been the case.  Much of the existing supply of geographic information for development in Africa, for example, exists outside of the continent and is largely a top-down process driven by external agencies.  Most decision makers in Africa at the government level, despite some rhetoric to the contrary, do not yet realize the significance and importance of GSDI and Global Map.  In addition to giving capacity training to individuals at the working level we need to find ways to make geographic information processing more central to national needs.  Some progress has clearly been made but much remains to be done.  As we discussed in our teleconference, building on Johannesburg in a very specific way is one approach, which is worthy of further exploration.  Governments are committed to the Type 1 resolutions coming out of Johannesburg.  Type 2 organizations such as ISCGM provide a means of delivery on the resolutions, which nations have agreed to support and hopefully implement.  If we couch our capacity building efforts in these specific terms then they are more likely to get high-level support.  We also need to ensure that we are fully aware of the variety of national and international initiatives, which have emerged as a result of Johannesburg.  A number of these are not in the geospatial field but might benefit substantially from using a geospatial approach.  Perhaps we can make ourselves much more central to the key decision making processes and the instruments being used to deliver on Johannesburg than is currently the case.  Your concept paper is an interesting and important step which I fully support but perhaps we also need a higher level strategic approach.”

 

3. Coming Meetings

 

·          ESRI UC

It was agreed that a “SDI  Executive seminar” separate from the traditional one would be a better option.  Attendees could benefit from European experiences and participation.  Claudia will work on a separate agenda.

 

·          Include WSSD resolutions and have a common SDI and sustainable development track.

 

We should:

Unify the objectives under a central theme 

·          Include policy issues and Sustainable development

·          The flow should be Policy, applications, and technology.

·          Panel on the Use of GI for Sustainable development

·          How to implement experiences user stories forum

 

·          GM Forum in Okinawa: The program is being finalized for July 14th –18th.  ESRI is willing to participate.  Fraser will talk to Hiroshi about the possibilities.

 

 

4. Global Map/GSDI Grant Program Resource Web Page

 

It will be developed by ESRI linked to/from the GM/GSDI web pages.

Claudia will request technical information from Minuro.

 

1. Increase participation

 

Fraser expressed that this is the most important issue to be concerned about.  Actions towards inviting and motivating the rest of Global Map participants to apply for the grant will be taken.  Joint communications will be sent after the holiday season.  Claudia will work on a draft.