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This is aimed at GISSA members but all GIS'ers in SA should be aware and can contribute. From an OSGeo perspective, our voice on open source, open data and open standards needs to be heard.<BR>
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GISSA HAS BEEN ASKED TO SUBMIT A POSITION PAPER ON THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPATIAL INFORMATION (CSI).<BR>
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We want your support to compile this paper. If we dont give our contribution, our needs will not be catered for in the carrying out of the committees activities.<BR>
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BACKGROUND<BR>
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Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003 - Committee on Spatial Information (CSI)<BR>
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The Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003 was passed by Parliament in December 2003. The President assented to the act in January 2004. The aim of the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003 (Act No.54 of 2003) is to provide for the establishment of the South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI) in order to regulate the collection, management, maintenance, integration, distribution and use of spatial/geographic information. The Act will promote the efficient and effective use of the State's spatial/geographic information resources by the sharing of the information. It will give effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by the State, as well as information held by other persons, if the information is required for the exercise or protection of rights.<BR>
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The Act establishes the following:<BR>
1) The South African Spatial data infrastructure (SASDI), which is the national (organs of state), technical (networks, computers, hard disks, web servers, etc.) and policy (pricing policy for organs of state, custodianship policy and information flow policy) framework, whose main objectives are to facilitate the capture and cooperation among organs of state, and the promotion of use and access to spatial information for development planning.<BR>
2) The Committee for Spatial information (CSI), who will oversee and make decisions based on issues regarding the use of spatial information, including the determination of standards and prescriptions on the use of spatial information<BR>
3) Provide for the capturing of metadata in an electronic metadata catalogue that will help eliminate duplication in the capture of spatial information<BR>
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>From the act<BR>
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The CSI will do the following:<BR>
- advise the Minister/DG/organ of state on issues related to the capture and use of spatial information<BR>
- facilitate an environment for the efficient collection of spatial information <BR>
- monitor and manage the SASDI<BR>
- evaluate findings provided by the Technical, Policy and Liaison sub committees and make recommendations based on the results of these findings<BR>
- promote awareness of its activities through the Liaison sub committee compile an annual report of its activities within 3 months after the end of the financial year.<BR>
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We would like you to comment on possible roles and responsibilities of the Committee on Spatial Information (CSI). <BR>
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What do you see as their roles and responsibilities?<BR>
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Can you please provide your commends before 12 August 2010!<BR>
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For more information see:<BR>
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<A HREF="http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/committee-for-spatial-information">http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/committee-for-spatial-information</A><BR>
<A HREF="http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/spatial-data-infrastructure">http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/spatial-data-infrastructure</A><BR>
<A HREF="http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/sdi-act">http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/sdi-act</A><BR>
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-- <BR>
Gavin Fleming<BR>
t: 0218620670<BR>
c: 0845965680<BR>
f: 0866164820<BR>
Paarl<BR>
South Africa<BR>
18°59'18.8"E 33°44'40.2"S
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