Management Change at UNOSAT

According to Alain Retiere, Director of UNOSAT, the programme has reached the required maturity to become independent from the administrative management of UNOPS and become fully part of the new United Nations Institute for Training and Research that the Secretary-General has entrusted ASG Dr. Carlos Lopes to lead together with the United Nations Staff College, in full coordination with the United Nations University. This process will bring to UNOSAT further training activities, which will increasingly be carried out by the United Nations under a unified management. UNOSAT will enjoy the additional opportunity of developing applied research on satellite solutions, and consolidate the UN training offer on satellite applications for key issues ranging from emergency response to sustainable recovery.

In parallel, UNDP has decided to mainstream satellite applications throughout its network of 166 country offices supported by its 40 regional technical centers to help face the main development challenges. A new trend is emerging within the “territorial approach to development”, where a more local and decentralized way of supporting development efforts in most vulnerable countries is being applied. Although all dimensions of the UNDP development agenda will benefit from mainstreamed satellite applications, environment and energy is the area that has been selected as key entry point, considering the urgent need to help local communities to face climate change challenges with the most appropriate tools including satellite and GIS applications.

Information and Communication Technology and Peacebuilding: Summary of a Workshop

Those who would use information and communication technology (ICT) in the cause of peace need to be cognizant of the risks as well as the benefits. ICT can facilitate positive dialogue but also hate speech. It can be used to fight corruption but also facilitate it. Simply giving people more information does not necessarily lead to predictable or positive results. As people become more informed, they may become more motivated to change their circumstances and to do so violently.

On December 14, 2007, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) convened a group of experts in diverse fields to consider the role of ICT in promoting peace and conflict resolution. The one-day workshop was designed to consider current and emerging technologies and strategies for employing them in conflict management and diplomacy. Giacomo Rambaldi presented a case study on "GIS and Participatory 3-D Modeling in Land-Use Negotiation" . The workshop also aimed to explore how organizations with a role in promoting peace, like the U.S. Institute of Peace, can most effectively leverage technology in carrying out their missions.

"Information and Communication Technology and Peacebuilding: Summary of a Workshop" reviews the group's discussions on number of key issues, illuminates certain practitioner needs, and suggests possible next steps.

The proceedings can be downloaded for free via this link.

African Indigenous Peoples’ Workshop on effective use of GITs and ICTs in advocacy

I have just come back from Namibia where I attended the "African Indigenous Peoples’ Workshop on effective use of GITs and ICTs in advocacy" (Windhoek, 25-28 August 2008)

The workshop has been organised by the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) with technical and financial assistance provided by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), ERMIS-Africa, Cybertracker Conservation, Shalin Ry and the Rainforest Foundation UK.

Indigenous African leaders and technology intermediaries have shared experiences on how geo-spatial information technologies (GIT) are used by indigenous peoples to express their traditional ecological knowledge to decisions makers for the purposes of securing recognition and rights. Key case studies presented included participatory mapping by ToCADI and San groups in Botswana, Participatory 3 Dimensional Modelling (P3DM) by hunter-gatherer peoples in Kenya, GPS-based mapping experiences from Cameroon, DR Congo, Namibia and South Africa.

The workshop included also capacity building sessions on the use of Cybertracker and online mapping (Google Earth and Google Maps) and web 2.0 (web2fordev) applications like blogging, online video sharing, and use of electronic discussion groups including [ppgis]).

Web 2.0 applications have been presented and adopted as adds-on to GIT in support to networking, communication, alliance building and remote collaboration for advocacy.

African Indigenous Peoples’ Workshop on effective use of ICTs in environmental advocacy

Starting on August 26, 2008 IPACC is holding a 3 day workshop outside of Windhoek Namibia for 40 indigenous African leaders to review case studies of how geo-spatial information technologies can be used by indigenous peoples to express their traditional ecological knowledge to decisions makers for the purposes of securing recognition and rights. The workshop will also look at the role of the internet (Web 2.0) in helping promote good advocacy and communication. The event is co-hosted and presented by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), the Rainforest Foundation UK, ERMIS Africa, Cybertracker Conservation and Shalin Ry.

Rebecca Moore from Google Earth Outreach, Geneva layer showcase

Rebecca Moore, Head of Google Earth Outreach, demos 2 partner layers at the launch of Google Earth Outreach in Geneva: UNHCR's refugee layer and the Elders' "Every Human Has Rights" layer.

PPGIS.net on LinkedIn to foster community development among pgis/ppgis practitioners

Since DGroups, the platform hosting [ppgis] offers limited opportunities for members to learn about each other and to e.g. get together on a country basis. Considering this limitations and the opportunities offered by emerging web 2.0 applications, I have created a parallel peer2peer space on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social- networking site used by professionals.
Joining this new space will allow you to easily identify and establish contact with other [ppgis] members.

The goal of this new space is to help [ppgis] members:

To easily identify members of the [ppgis] network, learn more about them and eventually establish personal contact;
Accelerate careers/business through referrals from [ppgis] Group members;Put a face and a professional curriculum behind a name or an e-mail address

Here’s the link to join the new platform: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/131362/56BA201FA389

Below is a short vide explaining how LinkedIn works:

Ethics and Anthropological Research and Practice

In this concise introduction to anthropological ethics, Whiteford and Trotter provide current and prospective researchers and practitioners with a solid foundation of ethical concepts and issues, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. They take into account both national and international discussions and practice of ethics. Together with equipping readers with essentials about ethics, the authors explore ethical problems common among anthropologists. Ethical challenges often arise from the unanticipated consequences of a research design, from conflicts among stakeholders, or from the clash of two positive ethical principles--when adherence to one of the principles may violate another. Functioning both as a capstone and a learning tool, the last chapter presents a real-life ethical dilemma and introduces readers to a detailed problem-solving guide. Other pedagogical aids include end-of-chapter questions that inspire deeper thinking about ethical principles, issues, and considerations, and five brief ethical dilemma cases for further enrichment and study. In this concise introduction to anthropological ethics, Whiteford and Trotter provide current and prospective researchers and practitioners with a solid foundation of ethical concepts and issues, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. They take into account both national and international discussions and practice of ethics. Together with equipping readers with essentials about ethics, the authors explore ethical problems common among anthropologists. Ethical challenges often arise from the unanticipated consequences of a research design, from conflicts among stakeholders, or from the clash of two positive ethical principles--when adherence to one of the principles may violate another. Functioning both as a capstone and a learning tool, the last chapter presents a real-life ethical dilemma and introduces readers to a detailed problem-solving guide. Other pedagogical aids include end-of-chapter questions that inspire deeper thinking about ethical principles, issues, and considerations, and five brief ethical dilemma cases for further enrichment and study.

African Indigenous Peoples’ Workshop on effective use of GIT/ICTs in environmental advocacy

CTA is supporting an and IPACC-organised pan-African workshop of indigenous peoples' organisations / leadership to review case studies of participatory mapping and other geospatial information technology (GIT) applications by indigenous peoples related to their intangible / oral traditional ecological knowledge, and how this can be effectively used in advocacy, both directly on environmental / natural resource issues, but also on human and civil rights associated with lands, territories and cultural sustainability.

IPACC partner organisations will give feed back on P3DM application in three mountain forest communities. Southern Africa will relay experiences of using Cybertracker. Cameroon will give a presentation on forest mapping by communities and Botswana and Namibia will present their experience of mapping land use and natural resources.

There will be a report emanating from the meeting which will be made acailable on IPACC and CTA web sites. The workshop will take place from 26 to 28 August in Namibia. Indigenous delegates will be coming from Morocco, Algeria, Niger, Kenya, Tanzania, Gabon, Cameroon, Burundi, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

PGIS Curriculum Development Workshop

On 21 and 22 April 2008, CTA hosted a “Curriculum Development Workshop” as part of the project known as “Support the spread of good practice in generating, managing, analysing and communication spatial information”. The event brought together 35 people from different continents (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Northern America and Europe), all sharing a solid experience in participatory mapping and communication. The aim of the workshop was to kick-start the process which would lead to the production of a multilingual, multimedia and modular training kit on ‘Participatory Spatial Information Management and Communication”.

The output of the initiative is intended to increase the capacity of indigenous and other marginalised peoples to engage in effective policy dialogue and advocacy on issues related to the territory. Skills acquired through the deployment of the kit would ensure that indigenous and other marginalised communities are more effective in documenting, representing and communicating their spatial knowledge, while taking a high degree of control over the processes. The initiative is co-funded by CTA and IFAD. Development partners which committed additional resources to the project include the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC); International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), the University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBC), UNOSAT and the Ford Foundation Brazil.

The direct beneficiaries of the project are technology intermediaries working in multidisciplinary teams and operating within institutions or organisations already committed to practicing participatory mapping and who are or would be required to deliver training on the practice, or facilitate the process in the field. Ultimate beneficiaries will be adopters from community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, research institutions, academia, multilateral and bilateral development agencies and other development actors.

The English version of the kit is expected to be available in 2009 followed by versions in other languages.

Participatory Ethics - Special Thematic Issue of ACME

Vol 6 (3) of ACME (an International E-Journal for Critical Geographies) is dedicated to Participatory ethics. The 10 papers making up the issue are of interest to PGIS/PPGIS practitioners and researchers.

Launch of the Participatory Mapping Training Kit announced

Participatory mapping and development practitioners, activists and researchers identified the lack of training materials as a major constraint in the spread of good participatory mapping / PGIS practice. An initiative launched by CTA and other development partners will lead to the production of a modular, multimedia and multilingual training kit for trainers. The kit will ensure that participatory mapping and communication practices evolve and spread in an ethically conscious manner, ensuring that indigenous and other marginalised communities are effective in documenting, representing, and communicating their spatial knowledge, while taking a high degree of control over the process. It is understood that good practice would add value and authority to local knowledge, facilitate inter-generational knowledge exchange, contribute to building and supporting a cohesive community identity, and support sustainable planning through collaborative decision-making.

Participatory 3D Modelling among Ogiek Indigenous Peoples in Kenya

In their article "Through the Eyes of Hunter-gatherers: Participatory 3D Modelling among Ogiek Indigenous Peoples in Kenya" publlished on Information Development and now freely available for download, Giacomo Rambaldi and his colleagues describe a participatory process by which Ogiek Indigenous Peoples in the Mau Forest Complex in Kenya rendered their spatial memories through the making of a georeferenced three dimensional model covering part of their ancestral territory. The paper focuses on the course of action and related human dynamics which led to the production of the map legend via deep reflections and intense negotiations among elders of different clans. The 3D mapmaking process proved to be a catalyst in stimulating memory, articulating tacit knowledge and creating visible and tangible representations of the physical, biological and cultural landscapes of the area in the 1920s. Elaborating and negotiating agreement on the elements of the map legend allowed the participants to gain greater clarity on meanings and relationships between natural and cultural features. Once completed, the model selectively displayed both the tangible and the intangible heritage of the Ogiek people. The composition of the legend and the making of the model stimulated collegial learning and community cohesion. The process has been perceived as a milestone for Ogiek clans in terms of working together towards a common goal, and in realizing the value and potential authority of their spatial knowledge once it was collated, georeferenced, documented and visualized.

Google Maps and San Diego wildfires

When wildfires broke out in San Diego, broadcast station KPBS used the My Maps feature in Google Maps to easily create and share a map that provided real-time updates on the location of the fires and the status of evacuation shelters. The map received millions of views in just a few days.

Giving Voice to the Unspoken: Video on Participatory 3D Modelling (P3DM)

"Giving Voice to the Unspoken" is a 20-minute video production showing the hands-on aspects of Participatory 3D Modelling (P3DM). P3DM is a PGIS/PPGIS method. The video supports all practical aspects of P3DM described in the resource book "Participatory 3-Dimensional Modelling: Guiding Principles and Applications" and documents in detail an exercise conducted within the Pu Mat National Park, a protected area in Vietnam.

Small Grants Program - Anthropology & Environment

The goal of the Anthropology & Environment Section's Small Grants Program is to foster collaboration among practicing and academic anthropologists, grassroots activists, and/or organizations and inspire innovative solutions to environmental issues.
For more information have a look at Funding opportunities for NGOs and researchers

2008 Call for grant applications from indigenous peoples’ organizations and their communities

The Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility invites applications from indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities, as well as organizations that work with them, for grants to fund projects, innovative approaches and partnerships that promote the development of indigenous peoples and help them fulfil their aspirations.
Grants range from US$10,000 to US$30,000. Applicants must meet specific requirements and their proposals should respond to the needs of indigenous peoples in any of IFAD’s Member States.
E-mail and mail your applications to IFAD. The closing date for applications is 30 June 2008. IFAD will not accept applications after that date.
A panel made up primarily of indigenous members will work closely with IFAD staff to review proposals and make final recommendations on grant awards. The panel will review grant proposals on the basis of project relevance, feasibility and institutional capacity and make final recommendations on awards.
Activities likely to be considered for funding will build on indigenous culture, identity, knowledge, natural resources, intellectual property and human rights. Projects should improve indigenous peoples’ access to decision-making processes, empower indigenous peoples to find solutions to the challenges they face and promote collaboration in the public and private sectors.
Over the years IFAD has learned that entrusting direct management of resources and funds to indigenous communities and their institutions is an effective way to build capacity, self-determined development and ownership of programmes and projects.
To apply for a grant, read the call for proposal, the guideline for completing the application form and complete the application form.

A Primer of GIS: Fundamental Geographic and Cartographic Concepts By Francis Harvey

This pragmatic book introduces key concepts and skills to prepare students to understand and use geographic information systems (GIS). The text thoroughly explains what geographic information is, how it is represented and analyzed, and what it communicates about human and environmental activities and events that take place on our planet. Basic principles of map making and map reading are integrated with discussions of relevant information technologies and applications. Written in an accessible style, the text is organized into four parts that can be used in any sequence in entry-level and more specialized GIS courses. User-friendly features include practical examples and exercises, engaging vignettes, and helpful Internet resources.

Aboriginal Communities in Google Earth

Aboriginal Communities in Google Earth is a virtual globe program that is made freely available from the Google Corporation. The program maps the earth by superimposing images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS over a 3D globe. In an effort to better acquaint people with the Aboriginal communities of Canada, Google Earth has created a placemark file that, when used in conjunction with the Google Earth, allows users to virtually visit these communities.

Through the Eyes of Hunter-Gatherers: Participatory 3D Modelling among Ogiek Indigenous Peoples in Kenya

This PowerPoint, presented by Giacomo Rambaldi of CTA at the SfAA 2008 in Memphis, USA on 28 March 2008 describes a participatory process by which Ogiek indigenous people in the Mau Forest Complex in Kenya rendered their spatial memories through the making of a georeferenced three dimensional model covering part of their ancestral territory. Once completed, the model selectively displayed both the tangible and the intangible heritage of the Ogiek people. The composition of the legend and the making of the model stimulated collegial learning and community cohesion. The process has been perceived as a milestone for Ogiek clans in terms of working together towards a common goal, and in realizing the value and potential authority of their spatial knowledge once it was collated, georeferenced, documented and visualized.

Mapping is Power

Set in the Altai Republic of Russia in southern Siberia, Mapping is Power follows cultural specialist Maya Erlenbaeva and shaman Maria Amanchina as they visit sacred sites near Kosh Agach. Indigenous people are mapping their sacred sites to protect them. This scene is a preview of Losing Sacred Ground, a 12-part series produced by the Sacred Land Film Project, which will profile sacred land struggles around the world.