Background to Maps 2.0
Since its founding in 2002, HumaniNet has helped over 250 humanitarian and mission organizations in over 50 countries to select and utilize technology tools that enable Internet access, email, and voice communications. All of the major humanitarian organizations in the Northwest have benefited from our free advisory service.
HumaniNet has assisted relief teams responding to the tsunami disaster in South Asia, the Darfur crisis, Hurricane Katrina in the United States, and major earthquakes in Pakistan, Iran, and Indonesia. We have also helped development teams deployed throughout Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific region.
Since 2005, HumaniNet has pioneered the use of technology in field training simulations in Portland, Silicon Valley, Indonesia, and Nepal. In the Nepal simulation in 2007, we introduced the use of Web-based maps by field teams, a success that forms the basis of this proposal. For articles and photographs, please see http://www.humaninet.org/nepalexercise.html.
Field testing in November 2008
This year, we are moving forward in partnership with a coalition of NGO field managers and GIS technology experts to explore the possibilities of geo-spatial information management using Web-accessible mapping tools. The project is taking shape in April and May 2008, with the objective of utilizing the most effective operational tools in a field simulation planned for November in Thailand with partners ADRA Asia and Caritas Australia.
We have formed an advisory group of 16 committed technology experts and field practitioners, including NGO managers with current responsibilities for field programs in Africa, Asia, and the Northwest United States. Advisory group members have agreed to share their experience and perspectives on our online forum, participate in conference calls and Webcasts, and attend meetings when possible.
The advisory group currently includes experienced managers from Mercy Corps, World Vision, Medical Teams International, ADRA, Caritas, MapAction (U.K.), and USAID/Afghanistan. In addition, a number of highly qualified GIS experts have agreed to assist with the project. Volunteer technology experts from Google, Microsoft, and other business partners have agreed to assist. Two other partners, ESRI and IDV Solutions, assisted the HumaniNet team with the Nepal GIS project.
An online collaborative workspace has been set up for sharing information, findings, and ideas among the core team and advisory group. HumaniNet receives valuable in-kind and volunteer assistance with Web development and Web site maintenance, research, help desk and Community Center operations, and conferencing, all of which will support Maps 2.0 in important ways.
Please bookmark this page and check back frequently for new posts. Also please watch www.humaninet.org and contact us at info (at) humaninet.org if you would like more information, or if you have GIS skills and experience and would like to know more about participating as a volunteer.
