[OSGeo-Discuss] ICA Working Group on Open Source Geospatial Technologies

[Suchith Anand]

Hi All,

The International Cartographic Association's Executive Committee
http://cartography.tuwien.ac.at/ica/  has approved the establishment of
Working Group on Open Source Geospatial Technologies at its meeting last
week in Chile. 

The Open Source Geospatial Technologies Working Group aims to promote
multi-national holistic research in open source geospatial technologies
in order to make accessible the latest developments in open source tools
to the wider cartographic community. The WG attempts to enhance the
usage of open source geospatial tools among the cartographic community
worldwide, especially for education. Finally, the working group will
promote the usage of professional and technical standards (ISO TC 211,
OGC) for the development of open source geospatial software.  Working
group membership is open to all interested parties and we aim for
representation by as many countries. Promotional strategies of the
working group include regular e-mails to members, meetings, conferences,
workshops, promotion of geospatial standards and publications.

Terms of Reference - Working Group on Open Source Geospatial
Technologies

1. To promote the widespread use of open source geospatial software 
2. To provide support for the use of open source geospatial software in
education through relevant publications 
3. To organise conferences, workshops and training sessions for open
source geospatial technologies 
4. To organise special lectures and demonstrations on open source
geospatial technologies 
5. To make open source geospatial software more accessible to end users 
6. To serve as a network for ICA members interested in open source
geospatial technologies by the use of mailing lists, wiki etc 
7. Through collaboration with other ICA commissions and working groups
promote coordination with different open source geospatial organisations
(eg. Open Source Geospatial Foundation) and developer communities.
8. Develop and keep updated the working group's website to disseminate
the working group activities.
9. Produce annual reports of the working group activities.

ICA have adopted a policy of approving WGs on a one year approval period
and within this period it is essential to prove sufficient activity and
the First Open Source GIS UK Conference to be jointly organised with
OSGeo UK Chapter and Open Knowledge Foundation on 22nd June 2009 at CGS,
University of Nottingham will be one of the key events planned as part
of the WG activities. We are inviting expressions of interest from
interested people to become members of the Working Group and to help
steer its activities. If interested to join the WG please email
Suchith.Anand at nottingham.ac.uk

The Working Group's website and mailing lists will be activated in
January 2009. Please contact me for any information needed.

Best wishes,

Suchith

Dr Suchith Anand
Centre for Geospatial Science
Sir Clive Granger Building
University of Nottingham
Tel: (0)115 846 8408
url: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cgs/cgs_suchith_anand.html


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