SAEON Summit Update

Summit  objective  :  To provide a forum for stakeholders to contribute to a core Earth observation science plan for SAEON. Insightful discussions during the Summit will assist in crystallising key issues, strategies and implementation plans to serve as a baseline for SAEON’s core function of environmental observation.

The Summit will also address the other two major challenges facing SAEON: 
- a comprehensive information management system, and 
- an education outreach programme.

Following the Summit, a core observation plan will be drafted by the SAEON Observation Science Specialist and a team of authors who may have to conduct discipline-based workshops with expert groups in areas where monitoring standards are still elusive.

A  Summit  with a difference  :  In essence the SAEON Summit will differ from other scientific conferences in that it will be focused on  observation science, rather than research. 

Summit  papers:  A process has been initiated to invite papers from experts in various related disciplines from across South Africa in:

• environmental observation (invited papers will deal with monitoring systems),
• information management systems, and
• environmental science education.

Summit posters :  All delegates are invited to submit abstracts for posters. Poster papers should deal with both monitoring systems and findings based on those systems. Poster abstracts must be submitted to  marina@southernscience.co.za. The deadline for poster abstracts is 15 February 2006.

Summit programme :  The first day of the SAEON Summit will be devoted to a context-setting series of invited plenary papers on a broad range of topics aimed at reviewing the status of local Earth observation and environmental monitoring systems, information management systems and environmental science education. These papers will be supported by a one-hour poster session where authors will interact with delegates.

The morning of the  second day  will be devoted to parallel workshops on the above three topics that represent SAEON’s core areas of activity. This will be followed by a plenary report-back session. 

Summit output :  The main output from the Summit will be the publication of refereed invited papers in a bound volume of proceedings along with transcripts of the report-back session and the poster abstracts. This document should serve as a baseline for the SAEON science plan for many years to come. 

The full programme will be published in the January issue of SAEON e-News, and on the SAEONSUMMIT  webpage on  www.saeon.ac.za.

How YOU can participate in the Summit

Register to attend

This is an invitation to  YOU  to participate in the Summit .  YOUR  input will inform the mandate, way forward and ultimate success of South Africa ’s Earth observation programme which, due to its strong link to GEOSS, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, will contribute significantly to global Earth observation and will inform global policies aimed at protecting and preserving life on our planet.

The registration form will be available in the January issue of SAEON e-News, and on the SAEONSUMMIT  webpage on  www.saeon.ac.za.

Submit a poster

The poster session is open to all researchers and graduate students. All delegates are invited to submit abstracts for posters. Poster papers should deal with both monitoring systems and findings based on those systems. Poster abstracts must be submitted tomarina@southernscience.co.za. The deadline for poster abstracts is 15 February 2006.

Enter the SAEON Summit students’ poster competition

A poster competition just for students will form part of the poster session. Full-time, registered students qualify for participation in the competition. For further information, contact Marina Joubert, Email  marina@southernscience.co.za.

Exhibit at the Summit

SAEON partners will have the opportunity to exhibit literature and models/ equipment for promotional purposes, and footage for audio-visual displays.  Contact Mitzi du Plessis on 083 258 8945.