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| Africa and Canada collaborate in using space data for sustainable development |
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As part of a trade mission to Africa, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Natural resources Canada took part in the Africa GIS Conference in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, September 16 to 25, 2007.
Africa GIS is a forum for African and international geomatics information professionals to share knowledge, experience, and research. The theme of this year’s conference was, "Geo information and the fight against poverty in Africa."
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The Canadian pavilion theme: Geomatics to improve your quality of life. (Photo : CSA/NRCAN) |
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A pavilion was set up in the exhibit hall by the CSA and Natural Resources Canada to promote Canadian Earth observation expertise with participation by a number of organizations including the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, Cégep de Limoilou, DM Solutions Inc., GeoImage Solutions Inc., GéoQuébec, Groupe Alta, Tecsult, the World Conservation Union (IUCN), VIASAT GeoTechnologies, Golder and Associates, Algonquin College, and MDA Geospatial Services International.
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Hostesses Norah Traore and Diane Sare greet visitors at the Canadian Pavilion during the Africa GIS 2007 Conference. (Photo: CSA) |
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The CSA’s Hugues Gilbert, Director of Policy and External Relations, highlighted the importance of using space-based data in addressing critical environmental issues in his presentation.
He gave an overview of the Canadian Space Agency’s business model and decribed key projects in Africa. He presented the CSA' s objective of collaboration with African stakeholders, funding institutions, and other space agencies for increasing use of Earth observation data for water management.
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(Left to right) Tidiane Ouattara, Senior S&T; Policy Advisor, Natural Resources Canada, Hugues Gilbert, Director of Policy and External Relations, Canadian Space Agency, and Messrs.YODA Bédouma Alain (centre) and SÉDOGO Gouindé Laurent (extreme right), respectively Minister of State and Minister of Health and Minister of the Environment and and Minister of the Living Environment visit the Canadian pavilion during the Africa GIS 2007 conference. (Photo: CSA) |
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Steve Iris, CSA Project Officer for the Earth Observation Applications Development Program, outlined the range of projects supported by the Canada in the European Space Agency’s TIGER initiative for sustainable development in Africa. Some of these were described in more detail by the Canadian businesses that are taking part in TIGER, offering products and services for sustainable, integrated water-resource management.
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Steve Iris, Project Officer, left, for the Canadian Space Agency Earth Observation Applications Development Program, talks with André Bassole, member of the Africa GIS 2007 Organizing Committee. (Photo: CSA) |
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While presenting his department’s projects in Africa, Denis Haché, Deputy Director, Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada, demonstrated the importance of using geomatics to address issues such as water resources, sustainable development, and natural disaster response efforts.
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Denis Haché, Deputy Director, Earth Sciences Sector of Natural Resources Canada. (Photo: CSA) |
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After the Africa GIS 2007 Conference, representatives of Natural Resources Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and the Canadian Space Agency held meetings and seminars with the government of Senegal and other interested parties over three days in Dakar, Senegal.
For more information, please see:
www.africagis2007.org on AfricaGIS 200
www.space.gc.ca/tiger on the TIGER initiative
ess.nrcan.gc.ca/intl/intl_activities/index_e.php on Natural Resources Canada International.
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(Centre) Diane Sare, hostess, and Marie-Lynn Savoie, right, Natural Resources Canada, greet visitors at the Canadian pavilion. (Photo: CSA) |
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