Connections and relevance: Reconstr

[nin@xxxxxx]

Subject: Connections and relevance: Reconstruction and Burmese engineers

Dear Burmanet readers,

Global Knowledge Development online forum posted the following.
I think, it is relevant to Burma subject-wise especially when we
read the moderator's note. 

It is again relevant for us as indigenous-Burmese engineers and
architects. All of us can do a lot in reconstruction of Burma by 
utilizing our expertise as the following posting described. 

The only question left here at this stage is 'how'.
Because we all can agree upon 'what' - the definition of 
reconstruction and its process, 'why' we should do and 'where', 
but 'how'. 

Shall we brain storm? Please e-mail me.

With metta and respect,
Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein
WRTC
http://wrtcburma.org
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Reply-To: gkd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: gkd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [GKD] The GIS Edge in Post-Conflict Rebuilding

[***Moderator's note: Geographic information systems have been used
during the past decade or so to support a range of development
activities -- from helping villages communicate the ways in which they
believe land should be used, to helping government decision-makers
understand differential impacts of budget allocations, by geographic
district. For example, one application depicts that different levels of
education achievement, education investment, and income level by
geographic district to bring home the point that wealthier districts
receive more money for education and have higher educational
achievements. The use of GIS described below is another way in which the
software can support development - in this case of countries rebuilding
after armed conflict.***]


The GIS Edge in Post-Conflict Rebuilding:
Case Studies in the Application of Geographic Information Systems

Wednesday, November 17, 1999, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
United States Institute of Peace
1200 17th Street NW, First Floor Conference Room, Washington, D.C. 20036

Lower costs and improvements in computer-based components are expanding
research and application of geographical information systems (GIS) in
rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in war ravaged nations. 
GIS provides policymakers, peacekeepers, international aid managers and
local authorities with the power to create maps, integrate and
manipulate information, visualize scenarios and solve complex problems. 
By facilitating the spatial analysis of economic, social and political
data, geographic information systems can reveal hidden patterns,
relationships and trends that are not readily apparent otherwise. 
Relating a variety of data to a geographic location, GIS offers these
practitioners the opportunity to share a common base of information for
post-conflict rebuilding activities.

"The GIS Edge in Post-Conflict Rebuilding" will address actual and
potential applications of geographic information systems (GIS) in
post-conflict rebuilding, focusing on data sources, organizational
capabilities, products, challenges and lessons learned in the use of
GIS.  Speakers will describe case studies relevant to the resettlement
of refugees and displaced persons, elections, land distribution, and
resources management in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and El Salvador.

Moderator:  Carmelle J. Cote, International Relations/GIS Consultant,
Environmental System Research Institute (ESRI) Inc.

Presenters:

* "Bosnia Forest Assessment: Using Satellite Remote Sensing to Foster
Inter-Entity Cooperation in Resources Management"
Harry Bader, Professor of Natural Resources Management, University of
Alaska, Fairbanks, currently on leave at Yale University, School of
Forestry and Environmental Studies; and Andrew Balser, Remote Sensing
Specialist, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

* "GIS and Election Analysis in Post-Dayton Bosnia"
Lee R. Schwartz, Chief of the Division of Global Issues, Office of the
Geographer and Global Issues, Department of State

* "GIS and Related Technologies for a Land Distribution Program in El
Salvador"
Julio Segovia, GIS Specialist, Strategic Development Office, U.S. Agency
for International Development, U.S. Embassy, San Salvador

* "Cross-Border Crisis Intervention: The Use of GIS in Kosovo"
William B. Wood, Geographer and Director of the Office of the Geographer
and Global Issues, Department of State

Event will be filmed by ESRI Graphics Team

RSVP:  Please email Suzanne Wopperer at wopperer@xxxxxxxx or call
202.429.3832
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