[OSGeo-Discuss] Seasons Greetings from GeoForAll

Wed Dec 20 01:46:31 PST 2017

Dear Dirk,

Thank you for your email.  I agree that we need to work more on the  GeoForAll website and I am in contact with Jody and others to update our website  to make the available educational resources that we have more visible in the new OSGeo website.

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…

One of the important things i learnt during  my lectures and meetings with students worldwide (from USA to Europe  to Africa to India), is that the digital natives are very smart and can see through any vendor marketing agendas . They have a very global outlook and are keen to contribute to building a better world for everyone [1]. I remember talking to a student and asking her what GIS software she uses and her reply was "We use all different platforms to learn GIS but noone can trick us to  pay to buy GIS software when there is lot of free and open software now available" . This empowerment of students is exactly what we want.

"Geo for All" aims to create openness in Geo Education for developing creative and open minds in students which is critical for building open innovation and contributes to building up Open Knowledge for the benefit of the whole society and for our future generations.

The biggest Christmas gift for the GeoforAll community came from a Grade 10 student from the USA [2] who by serendipity came across GeoForAll and emailed us volunteering to help us.

Have happy holidays and come back refreshed in 2018 and keep spreading the GeoForAll ideas :-)

Best wishes,

Suchith

[1] https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/discuss/2016-August/016456.html
[2] http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2017-December/004438.html

From: Discuss <discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org> on behalf of Dirk Frigne <dirk.frigne at geosparc.com>
Sent: 20 December 2017 07:57
To: discuss at lists.osgeo.org
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Seasons Greetings from GeoForAll

Dear Suchith,

Thank you for your wishes and I wish we can continue with the GeoForAll
initiative and create even more impact next year than we did this year.

I just received a newsletter from eurogeography.eu and they are happy to
promote the ESRI Schools pledge [1] as their first news item.

Maybe an action point for next year to provide at least an alternative
with GeoForAll. If OSGeo Europe could do anything to accomplish this, we
would be glad to support. A good start could be to have a section on the
website how schools could obtain free OSGeo GIS software and where to
find training material.

May the FOSS4G be with you!
Happy holidays and a happy New Year,

Dirk

[1] http://www.esri.com/school-program-europe

Esri GIS School Program-Europe
www.esri.com

In addition to powerful software, educational services have been arranged by Esri offices and partners in participating European Union (EU) countries. These services include teacher training courses, classroom exercises, field trips, and local geodata such as satellite imagery or digital maps.

Like its European counterpart, Esri has led a similar program in the USA over the past four years. In the process, thousands of schools and even more students have experienced the benefits of GIS in the classroom. Browse the program's web page for an idea of the prominent lessons and curricula featured." style="display: block; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-weight: normal; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; max-height: 100px; overflow: hidden;">Esri has pledged no cost GIS software and resources to European primary and secondary schools, as well as vocational institutions. Learn how to get your school connected.

On 19-12-17 12:38, Suchith Anand wrote:
> Dear colleagues and friends,
>
> As 2016 is nearly over, I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support and contributions for Open Principles in Science and Education. Our thanks to all of you for your  selfless contributions that helped us achieve a  wonderful 2017.
>
> The aim of GeoForAll is to empower all academics and students worldwide forever. GeoForAll is committed to work towards the vision of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for building a better world for everyone. Open Education is the  simple and powerful idea that the world’s knowledge is a public good and that technology in general and the internet in particular provide an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to share, use, and reuse knowledge. Openness is key for true empowerment and  sustainability.  Access to quality education opportunities is everyone’s birthright. So let us all keep working together to enable open principles in education to help create a world that is more accessible, equitable and full of innovation and opportunities  for everyone.
>
> 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. Geographic Information  Science is Open for all and for our future generations. Let us all work to make sure Geographic Information Science is Open for our future generations…
>
> On behalf of everyone at "GeoForAll" initiative, we wish you and your families very happy holidays and Happy New Year 2018.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Suchith
>
>
>
>

>
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--
Yours sincerely,

ir. Dirk Frigne
CEO @geosparc

Geosparc n.v.
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Tel: +32 9 236 60 18
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@DFrigne
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