This conference is a milestone in our GSDI
journey. The huge size of the conference
program points to the relevance and level of
interest in the subject areas of the conference
partners. The conference has shown, once again,
the essential requirement for the Association
to partner in order to delivering credible
outcomes, with INSPIRE and Geonovum at
this event, as we did with FIG in GSDI 9.
The conference has presented material covering
a multitude of topics: Societal challenges;
Convergence and collaboration (GEO/
GEOSS, GEOSS/OGC/GSDI, the UNSDI,
and, government, business and the scientifi c
community); SDI development (national,
regional, continental -INSPIRE, and in the
marine environment);SDI applications;
Technical issues (data interoperability
and harmonisation, …); Research and
development; Policy and governance
(SDI assessment, data sharing, return on
investments; business models); and Capacity
building (GSDI knowledge network,
regional newsletters, future spatial skills,
International Geospatial Society, Rotterdam
Geo Youth Capital 2009; Master Classes).
Our activities are dedicated to international
cooperation and collaboration in spatial data
infrastructure development to address the social,
economic, and environmental issues confronting
the world. We regularly offer conferences
such as this one to enhance communications
among practitioners as well as among the
leadership of other geospatial organizations. We
purposefully take our conferences to different
parts of the globe in order to serve all parts
of the planet.We publish monthly newsletters
within and for various regions of the globe
in multiple languages in order to keep all
geospatial specialists aware of opportunities
to become engaged and participate in their
own regions.We offer a regular small grants
program in furtherance of SDI development in
developing nations. We are expanding support
of our working committees that are actively
addressing technical, legal and socioeconomic,
social impact, and communication issues.
An important priority for us is to enhance
our inclusivity so that we better respond to
the individual needs of members, are open
and accommodating to the ideas of others,
and draw people from different backgrounds
into our Association. The creation of an
International Geospatial Society which is an
individual Arm for our Association and this
is an excellent example of this strategy.
I believe the essence of what we do
in the Association is help to create an
enabling environment that enhances
outcomes in societies, economies and
the global environment. The betterment
of societies through spatial enablement
is one of my goals as President.
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