RIC2018 To Be Held in Nairobi Casts a Focus on Big Four Agenda

Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) has announced the call for Abstracts and participation for RIC2018 under the theme “Space Science for Sustainable Development”.

The three-day conference which will be held from 15th to 17th August 2018 in Nairobi, aims at spurring exchange of ideas on fast-tracking application of earth observation and geospatial technologies in development decision making.

According to RCMRD, the key question is how can we use earth observation data and information to effectively address everyday problems that impact livelihoods in Africa and beyond?

The International conference will also entail discussions on Agriculture and food security which is a component of President Uhuru’s Big Four Agenda.

RIC2017 sparked the conversation that continues in RIC2018 bringing on board more industries, government, researchers, academia and community players with the focus of discussing the relevant and use of earth observation in promoting sustainable development as stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Why the conference?

To focus on linking space science to sustainable development.

RCMRD quotes that everyone wants a better place to live, a better economy, a better social environment, healthy work force and therefore a completely/whole-new mind-set and worldview has emerged based on systems approach and system analysis focusing on sustainable use of resources for development.

For instance, fertilizer application by individual farmers and city expands as a result of urbanization can change the entire ecosystem of a River and lake downstream leading to changes in water quality (SDG GOAL 6), or changes in individual behaviour can affect the whole economy of a country or respond to changes in government policy. Increase in food production can lead to reduced poverty and attainment of ZERO Hunger (SDG goal 1 and 2 respectively).

Deforestation and consumption of oil and other fossil fuels results to changes in climate (SDG goal 13), converting mangrove into farm or any other land use makes coastal villages more vulnerable to storm surges and tsunamis.

New shops are unlikely to be opened where crime rates are high, affecting the economic growth of that certain area which contributes to declined regional economic growth.

The connection of these systems components cannot be ignored and will be tackled during the conference.

Note that RCMRD will cater for transport, flight, and accommodation for authors whose abstracts and posters have been accepted.

For more details visit RIC2018