Working Group on Open Source Geospatial Technology

09 December 2008, 5:59pm

The International Cartographic Association's Executive Committee 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 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 nterest 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@nottingham.ac.uk

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

Dr Suchith Anand
Centre for Geospatial Science
Sir Clive Granger Building
University of Nottingham
Tel: (0)115 846 8408

International Cartographic Association's Executive Committee

Geo: International