World Bank and Google to Hold “Mapathon” to Support Development in South Sudan
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following the historic referendum in South Sudan, volunteers from the South Sudanese Diaspora, technology, and development worlds will get the opportunity to contribute in near real time to the development of the soon-to-be independent nation by mapping roads, hospitals, schools, and other social infrastructure at a Mapathon co-hosted by Google and the World Bank.
South Sudan is currently under-mapped, and without geospatial information on basic social infrastructure, it is challenging for the government, civil society, and development partners to evaluate risks and current needs, target their efforts, and mobilize proper resources. Tapping into the tacit knowledge that South Sudanese Diaspora have on the region, this exercise will enable them to contribute to the development process even from afar. Such maps will be a valuable resource for citizens, governments, NGOs, academics and entrepreneurs alike, who can visualize plans, see existing infrastructure, and target areas where they want to work and develop projects. Having good maps of roads, settlements, buildings and other services, with both local and official names, will support the development process.
DATE: Thursday, April 28, 2011
TIME: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (comprised of two separate sessions)
PLACE: The World Bank, Preston Auditorium
1818 H Street, NW, Washington DC
SESSION #1: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Panel discussion
Obiageli Ezekwesili, Africa Region Vice President, World Bank Group
Alfred Spector, Vice President of Research and Special Initiatives, Google
Other speakers include: Francesco Pisano, Head of UNOSAT; Fareed Zein, Manager of the Sudan Vote Monitor / Ushahidi; and France Lamy, Program Manager, Google.org
SESSION #2: 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM – MAPATHON
Workshop & working groups
Stories by mapping advocates
Technical demonstration of collaborative mapping tool
Group discussion of mapping strategy
RSVP: Journalists should RSVP with Alexis O’Brien (AObrien@worldbank.org). Broadcast media and still photographers should RSVP with Mehreen Sheikh (MSheikh1@worldbank.org). For further information, please contact the World Bank’s press office at: (202) 473-7660.
Contact at Google: Kate Hurowitz khurowitz@google.com
More information: http://sites.google.com/site/mapsudan
SOURCE
The World Bank
