[OSGeo Africa] [Fwd: Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003 - Committee on Spatial Information (CSI)]

[Gavin]

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.
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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).

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.

BACKGROUND

Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003  - Committee on Spatial
Information (CSI)

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.

The Act establishes the following:
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.
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
3)	Provide for the capturing of metadata in an electronic metadata
catalogue that will help eliminate duplication in the capture of spatial
information

>From the act

The CSI will do the following:
-	advise the Minister/DG/organ of state on issues related to the capture
and use of spatial information
-	facilitate an environment for the efficient collection of spatial
information 
-	monitor and manage the SASDI
-	evaluate findings provided by the Technical, Policy and Liaison sub
committees and make recommendations based on the results of these
findings
-	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.

We would like you to comment on possible roles and responsibilities of
the Committee on Spatial Information (CSI).  

What do you see as their roles and responsibilities?

Can you please provide your commends before 12 August 2010!

For more information see:

http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/committee-for-spatial-information
http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/spatial-data-infrastructure
http://www.gissa.org.za/activities/government/sdi-act

-- 
Gavin Fleming
t: 0218620670
c: 0845965680
f: 0866164820
Paarl
South Africa
18°59'18.8"E 33°44'40.2"S
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