With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the call by UN Secretary General for a “revolution” in the use of data for sustainable development, geospatial technologies have tremendous potential to effectively and efficiently monitor SDG progress. Since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the amount of data available, as well as data collection and processing methods have changed substantially.
Geospatial technologies and remote sensing offer a crucial location element to the monitoring of SDGs and their corresponding targets and indicators. The unprecedented “power of where” allows for unbiased observation and analysis across borders, administrative boundaries, and nations.
Yet there is still a gap between the technology world and the world of environmental decision- and policy-makers. Despite the tremendous potential geospatial technologies offer, there are still traditional fears among practitioners that prevent their uptake. Furthermore, these technologies are constantly changing and improving, making it even more difficult for practitioners to track the updates about the potential use and application of technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing.
This course is part of a series of ISEPEI’s “Bridging ICTs and the Environment” workshops that aim to address that gap through providing in-service education and professional training for environmental decision-makers and practitioners. The goal is to equip them with knowledge and skills of using digital technologies to better shape management strategies and to make more informed, data-driven decisions.
This annual workshop series provides an opportunity for non-specialists to get updated on the latest advances in geospatial technologies and remote sensing and to learn how these technologies can be applied in monitoring various SDGs. The series have been successfully conducted at CEU since 2014 in cooperation with various UN agencies (UNEP, UNDP, UNOOSA, UNFPA, UNECE, UN FAO, etc.) and global key stakeholders in digital technologies (EU JRC, Airbus, Esri, Google, MAXAR, etc).
Geospatial technologies can be employed in achieving and monitoring most of, if not all, SDGs, particularly: no poverty (Goal 1); zero hunger (Goal 2), clean water and sanitation (Goal 6); sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11); climate action (Goal 13).
This year’s course is organized in cooperation with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), so the primary focus in presentations and case studies will be given to demography, as well as health and poverty issues. A large number of the SDG indicators are linked to population and demographic data, or could be derived from census data, what justifies a focus on demography for this course.
The workshop will cover a number of technologies including remote sensing, geospatial technologies, data collection, and decision-support systems, among others. In particular, the role of satellite-based earth monitoring and remote sensing in achieving SDGs will be discussed, highlighting their potential and limitations. The course will contribute to disseminating recent research results and raising awareness about potential ICT benefits. The workshop provides a timely opportunity to get updated on the latest advances in geospatial technologies and remote sensing, and their application to monitoring SDGs.
Theoretical presentations and best use practices in geospatial technologies will be accompanied by practical sessions on their application (e.g. satellite imagery analysis, use of mobile technologies, mapping, SDG indicators mapping).
About ISEPEI
The Introduction to Geospatial Technologies for Achieving SDGs – Demographic Considerations workshop continues the series of joint UN-CEU training events under the ISEPEI Project “Bridging ICTs and the Environment”. The ISEPEI Project aims to address the gap between geospatial industry and practitioners by providing in-service education and professional training for environmental decision-makers and practitioners, who are in a position to greatly benefit from this data revolution to better shape management strategies and to make more informed, data-driven decisions.
Target group
The target group for this course includes academia, both students and faculty, junior professionals from national governmental or affiliated agencies and international organizations, academia and relevant NGO representatives. Within academia the priority will be given to graduate students in public policy and environmental management from OSUN and CIVICA partner institutions. The mixture of professional and student groups should facilitate students / youth / future leaders' engagement at the high-level professional event and stimulate interest in the topic.
We also invite applications from advanced undergraduate students who have adequate prior study or experience on the subject and make a compelling case in their application/statement of interest.
Pre-requisites
- Proven professional and/or academic focus on demography related topic (census, poverty, inequality, etc) or geospatial technologies;
- Intermediate computer user skills;
Language requirement
The language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. Some of the shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a telephone interview.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://summeruniversity.ceu.edu/geospatial-technologies-2021/eligibility
