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Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: FGDC Statement." National Research Council. 2002. Down to Earth: Geographic Information for Sustainable Development in Africa. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10455.
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C
FGDC Statement

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: FGDC Statement." National Research Council. 2002. Down to Earth: Geographic Information for Sustainable Development in Africa. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10455.
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Federal Geographic Committee Policy Statement Support for International Infrastructure Activities

The Federal Geographic Committee (FGDC) includes as its core, a vision for a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) that supports local to global interests:

“Current and accurate geospatial data will be readily available to contribute locally, nationally, and globally to economic growth, environmental quality and stability, and social progress” (National Spatial Data Infrastructure Vision, FGDC 1997).

Acceleration of global SDI initiatives is a high priority of the FGDC. Therefore, the FGDC commits its resources wherever possible to share experiences and work with other countries in the development of national Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI), and to provide additional momentum for the establishment of Regional and Global Spatial Data Infrastructures. Furthermore, the FGDC is committed to maintaining an International Activities Coordination staff position to assure continued focus and US leadership presence in global SDI initiatives.

The NSDI, regional SDI’s, and the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure have common goals to promote information sharing, greater interoperability, and to enable sound decision-making at all levels. The FGDC will assist other nations where possible by sharing our experiences and resources, and will establish partnerships for the betterment of SDI efforts internationally. FGDC support will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Outreach and Education - the FGDC will provide material, expertise, and other support as appropriate to promote best practices and principles for a SDI, and to identify the benefits of sharing data.

  • Spatial Data Clearinghouse - the FGDC will share materials, expertise, tools, and funding to help others implement spatial data clearinghouses in their countries.

  • Framework, Standards, and Metadata - the FGDC will provide assistance in form of materials, training, and technical expertise to help inform, educate, and implement the framework concept, spatial data standards, and metadata standards that are essential to the promotion of data sharing and exchange.

  • Building and extending relationships - the FGDC will work to link its industry, academic, and governmental membership with other nations as opportunities arise for collaboration

Recognizing the success of SDI implementation around the globe, the FGDC seeks to collaborate with other nations to understand best practices and technology initiatives of value to US government, private, and academic interests, and to identify opportunities for transnational development and prototype partnerships.

The FGDC will seek to enhance nation-to-nation collaboration in appropriate activities.

Dr. Mark Schaefer

for Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Chair

Federal Geographic Data Committee

Mr. John Moeller

Staff Director,

Federal Geographic Data Committee

Prepublication Version: Subject to Further Editorial Changes

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: FGDC Statement." National Research Council. 2002. Down to Earth: Geographic Information for Sustainable Development in Africa. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10455.
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Page 146
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: FGDC Statement." National Research Council. 2002. Down to Earth: Geographic Information for Sustainable Development in Africa. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10455.
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Page 147
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In 1992, world leaders adopted Agenda 21, the work program of the 1992 U.N. Conference on Environment and Development. This landmark event provided a political foundation and action items to facilitate the global transition toward sustainable development. The international community marked the tenth anniversary of this conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2002. Down to Earth, a component of the U.S. State Department's "Geographic Information for Sustainable Development" project for the World Summit, focuses on sub-Saharan Africa with examples drawn from case-study regions where the U.S. Agency for International Development and other agencies have broad experience. Although African countries are the geographic focus of the study, the report has broader applicability. Down to Earth summarizes the importance and applicability of geographic data for sustainable development and draws on experiences in African countries to examine how future sources and applications of geographic data could provide reliable support to decision-makers as they work towards sustainable development. The committee emphasizes the potential of new technologies, such as satellite remote-sensing systems and geographic information systems, that have revolutionized data collection and analysis over the last decade.

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