Space Technology for Sustainable Development

12 September 2008, 12:08pm

24 – 27 November 2008; Tunis, Tunisia

Inter Islamic Network on Space Sciences & Technology (ISNET) and North African Centre for Remote Sensing (CRTEAN), in collaboration with Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and with the co-sponsorship of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) are jointly organising a Seminar on Space Technology and Applications for Sustainable Development. CRTEAN will collaborate with the National Centre for Remote Sensing of Tunisia (CNT) and Tunisian Association of Communication and Space Sciences (ATUCOM) to host this Seminar in Tunis.

The 4-day Seminar will provide a forum where representatives of OIC countries with diverse ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds will share their development experiences and the crucial role of space technology in sustainable development. Practical examples of projects undertaken in one country will benefit other OIC countries with possible chances of joint projects for sustainable development in fields like natural resources management, environment, tele-education, tele-medicine, agriculture, forestry and costal resources.

The spectacular developments and achievements in space technology and its applications, during the last three decades, have changed the world. These have contributed significantly to socio-economic development. The vast and unlimited potential benefits of space technology have already extended to communication, TV broadcast, education, agriculture, industrial growth, resource management, environmental pollution, disaster mitigation, food and health. Satellite-based TV and radio broadcasting, which are most ideally suited to provide basic education as well as continuing education particularly in the vast, inaccessible and sparsely distributed population in the developing countries. Another potent application of communication satellites for sustainable development is Telemedicine, providing health solutions to a wider population in the most cost effective manner.

With the exception of a few, most OIC countries are facing development related issues. Increased industrial activities, growing populations and a host of societal problems all point towards the need for a comprehensive sustainable development approach. Space technology offers a wide range of innovative and cost effective solutions for sustainable development.

The objective of this Seminar is to provide practical examples of applications of space technology in solving long standing developmental problems. In the context of Africa, sustainable development is most pertinent. The potentials of space technology applications to provide most comprehensive, cost effective and creative solutions to the long standing problems of developing countries need to be explored, realized and applied.

It is expected that the Seminar will develop, amongst the participants and decision makers, a thorough understanding of the effectiveness of space technology applications in planning and developing projects and provide scientists and technologists attending the Seminar a better knowledge of potential applications of space technology for solving various problems.

The Seminar would comprise presentations by participants as well as lectures by experts. While the former would encompass scientific research projects undertaken in different OIC countries, the latter would focus on applications of space technology in specialized fields like water resources management, oil and gas exploration, GIS, landuse mapping and environmental management.

The focus of the Seminar will be on themes like:

• Natural Resources Management
• Coastal Resources Management
• Environment
• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Tele-education
• Tele-medicine

The Seminar will be held from 24 to 27 November 2008 at Diplomat Hotel, Tunis, Tunisia.

Scientists, engineers and professionals from international, regional, national and local institutions, private organizations, academic institutions, development agencies, non-governmental organizations and others from OIC countries will participate.

Delegates and heads of space agencies will present country reports on applications of space technology in various areas of national development.

Attendance of the Seminar is open to professionals from relevant fields and decision makers in OIC countries. The Seminar will also be open (free of registration fees) to all relevant scientists, professionals of OIC countries.

The working language of the Seminar will be English.

For registration contact CRTEAN:

Mr Neji Fekih
Director General, CRTEAN
55, Av Mouaouia ibn abi sofiane
El Menzah 6 – 1004 Tunis
Tunisia
Tel : 216 71 236575 – 71
Fax: 216 71 238 882
Email: dg.crtean@crtean.intl.tn

Geo: International