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Dear All,<br>
<br>
On behalf of GeoForAll and The Open Source Geospatial Foundation, let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families Happy New Year 2018 and a successful year ahead. <br>
<br>
It is my great pleasure to honour Julia Wagemann as our GeoAmbassador. Julia is working at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF) as Technical Data Analyst. She explores new ways of making ECMWF´s open datasets easier accessible for
users with the help of geospatial web services and OGC standards. Previous to her current work, she worked at the European Space Agency in Frascati and explored ways to better predict Malaria Risk with the help of Machine Learning methods. She has a strong
interest in open data and free and open-source software. She is especially interested in a better exploitation of geospatial data for humanitarian purposes to improve emergency response and disaster preparedness. Julia was one of the main initiators and organisers
of ECMWF´s Open Data Week in March 2017, which aimed to promote open data from ECMWF and Copernicus. The highlight of the week was a hackathon that brought together around 70 developers and data enthusiasts during a weekend to build applications based on
weather and climate data. ( <a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/en/newsletter/151/news/open-data-spotlight-during-week-events" class="OWAAutoLink" id="LPlnk703776">https://www.ecmwf.int/en/newsletter/151/news/open-data-spotlight-during-week-events</a> ).<br>
<br>
Julia also co-organised a hackathon in order to improve the Global Flood <br>
Awareness System (GloFAS) in January 2016 (<a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/en/newsletter/147/news/hackathon-aims-improve-global-flood-awareness-system" class="OWAAutoLink" id="LPlnk930722">https://www.ecmwf.int/en/newsletter/147/news/hackathon-aims-improve-global-flood-awareness-system</a> ).
I had the opportunity to participate in this hackathon, and i would like to thank Julia and all our ECMWF colleagues for hosting this excellent event and all volunteers who gave their time and expertise for helping improve the Global Flood Awareness System.<br>
<br>
During summer 2017, Julia co-mentored a project to develop a R plugin for QGIS as part of OSGeo for Google´s Summer of Weather Code. She also gives courses on R, Python (Jupyter Notebooks) and general Data Sciences at universities. She supports and leads the
GeoForAll with social media outreach. I am sure Julia will expand these ideas for the future. We are proud to honour Julia as our GeoAmbassador and we are extremely grateful for her contributions to GeoForAll.<br>
<br>
GeoForAll is a simple idea powered by a global community who are all working for a selfless aim on providing Open Education opportunities for all. As it is an idea it just keeps expanding and spreads through minds…Openness is fundamental in harnessing the true
potential of Geospatial Science and expanding digital economy opportunities for all. Open innovation is key in driving Digital Economy opportunities and to make sure that everyone benefits. <br>
<br>
I am very grateful to all colleagues globally who are volunteering and providing selfless work for Open Principles in Science and Education. <br>
<br>
Happy New Year 2018 everyone…<br>
<br>
Best wishes,<br>
<br>
Suchith <br>
<br>
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