The 70th International Astronautical Congress – IAC 2019, to take place from 21 – 25 October in Washington D.C., United States will feature on Thursday, 24 October 2019, from 14:45-16:15, a special session on “Using Open Space Data in Developing Countries”.

According to organisers, the special session will focus on how “Earth Observation data is applied in developing countries from those working on the ground to address development and sustainability issues.”

The session is organized by a team comprising of Jeanne Holm Distinguished Instructor, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); Katherine Townsend, Chief Executive Officer, Open Data Collaboratives; Rhiannan Price Manager, Digital Globe, and Ian Shuler, Manager, Development Seed.

The speaker line-up includes Yeama Thompson, Commissioner, Right to Access Information Commission, Government of Sierra Leone, and Geoffrey Kateragga, Country Level Manager, Open Street Maps, Uganda.

Participants at the session will explore different use cases, emerging technologies, and current programmes on space data in developing countries. The session is designed to facilitate new connections and identify actions toward making data more accessible and impactful.

Participants in this highly interactive session will get toolkits, new ideas, and new partners. If you want to make a real impact with your data — this is the session for you.

About the IAC

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the world’s largest gathering of space professionals. It is that one time of the year when all space actors come together from around the world. Global, multidisciplinary and covering all space sectors and topics, it offers everyone accesses to the latest space information and developments, but more importantly, it provides an opportunity for networking and potential partnerships. Each year, the IAC changes its host country, theme and local organiser, enabling all to learn more about, and be a part of, the world space scene. This year, the IAC will hold in Washington D.C, U.S.A from October 21-25, 2019.