The Shape of Things to Come

According to the UN Initiative on Global Geospatial Information Management - "The number of actors involved in generating, managing and providing geospatial information has increased significantly in the last ten years, and this proliferation will continue and indeed is likely to accelerate in the coming five to ten years.

The private sector and the public (my emphasis) will continue to play a significant role in providing the technologies and information required to maximise the opportunities available. They are likely to provide valuable, and in many cases unique, elements of geospatial information and the technologies and services required to maximise it, in addition to offering a growing understanding of the end‑user base for geospatial information". See more predictions for the future of the geospatial sector.

Open G8

Seven days ago the G8 signed a new Open Data Charter ... stating, 'We, the G8, agree that open data are an untapped resource with huge potential to encourage the building of stronger, more interconnected societies that better meet the needs of our citizens and allow innovation and prosperity to flourish.' 

Amongst other things, the world's eight largest economies, agree to 'orient [their] governments towards open data by default', and 'recognise that the term government data is meant in the widest sense possible' ... 'data owned by national, federal, local, or international government bodies, or by the wider public sector'. 'Geospatial [data, e.g.] Topography, postcodes, national maps, local maps' are recognised for their high value. Thanks GSDI.

GIS in Primary School

Belize held its 2nd Annual My Virtual City Competition on 19 June 2013. The competition challenged students – Standard 4 through 4th Form – to imagine, design, build and improve a city or town in Belize using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. This year, ten groups of primary and high school students participated in the competition. Well done by the organisers and Belize! Via GSDI.