1. Current status and global trends in Capacity Development in EO & Geo-information Freek van der Meer (ITC) GEO side event ‘Capacity Development for Stimulating Innovation in Global Monitoring of Agriculture: from research to operations’ GEO-XIII Plenary 7-10 November 2016, St Petersburg, Russian Federation

2. About ITC
Established: Appeal by UN in framework of official development assistance – Official Development Assistance
Aim: Build capacity for economic development in developing world
Main instrument: Postgraduate education and training, research, project services
Main field of science: earth observation, geoinformation science applied to problem-solving in earth sciences, natural and water resources and urban studies
Achievements alumni (predominantly) mid-career professionals

3. Definition UNDP: UNDP defines capacity development as the process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives over time.
This is a long term process. ‘One off’ approaches do not work.
It implies sticking with the process also under difficult circumstances.
Embed in national systems, do not see it as a stand-alone project, do not see it as a project with a fixed lifetime
Source: UNDP

4. Source: UNDP

5. Data archiving system training data
GIS/RS training course, Geological Survey Cyprus, 1994.

6. Human resource development, the process of equipping individuals with the understanding, skills and access to information, knowledge and training that enables them to perform effectively.
Organizational development, the elaboration of management structures, processes and procedures, not only within organizations but also the management of relationships between the different organizations and sectors (public, private and community).
Institutional and legal framework development, making legal and regulatory changes to enable organizations, institutions and agencies at all levels

7. NEW Dimensions to Capacity Development
The government to government or country to country dimension considering that in a globalizing world countries cannot maintain to operate as stand-alone entities->government is essential in initiation phase
The cross cutting dimension of the government and academic sector against the private sector->’entrepreneurs’ -> private sector is key for growth
South South->trilateral collaboration
22/11/2018

8. Diversify delivery modes Pursue partnership with client sector
Implications
Diversify delivery modes
Pursue partnership with client sector
Participate in networks
Address (financial, institutional) sustainability requirements
Shifting skill sets from technologists to negotiators, communicators, managers
22/11/2018

9. Earth Observation Is connected to society and other Geo technologies
Rapid acceptation and use
of geospatial data applications
and technologies
robo-fly, developed at Harvard, weight < 1g
Source: Tom Veldkamp

10. Human Capacity Building
Observation 2
Society is changing
We communicate many hours each day with
‘new’ social media in E-environment
We are getting used to instant access to information
and support
We have become more entrepreneurial
Source: Tom Veldkamp

11. Pre-requisite For CD in EO Open and free data
OPEN DATA POLICY is the starting point for any capacity to be developed!
Free data would be great. Money is often an issue.
Timely data is required for many applications.
Data continuity is critical for sustainable use of EO products
22/11/2018

12. Capacity Development for EO: status 2016
The good news:
If plenary agrees CB/CD is a foundational task
Capacity development is integral part of all GEO flagships, initiatives, community activities
GEO has the potential of offering the longterm commitment to make capacity development in EO work
The bad news:
Capacity development is more needed than ever (e.g., de SGD’s)
There is not enough coordination in capacity building in GEO so likely there is overlap, gaps, missed synergies and lack of sharing of best practices
The focus in GEO is too much on data and individuals
Recipients of CD often not represented in GEO boards
We find it hard to measure impact of what we are doing or lack a framework for monitoring impact
Source: personal view: you may agree or agree to disagree

13. A small detour

14. Capacity Development for EO: status 2016 - What do we need to know?
Resourcing: how much resources are needed? Q
Activities: what is being done? Q
Output: what are the deliverables? Q
Outcomes: what is the net effect of activity+output? nQ
Impact: what is the long term effect? nQ
Sustainability: is this impact sustainable? nQ
(….and for 3 dimensions: people, institute, legal framework)
Q=quantifiable
nQ=not (easily) quantifiable
Are we doing things right, are we doing the right things?
What difference does it make?

15. Capacity Development for EO: status 2016 - What do we need to know
Capacity Development for EO: status What do we need to know? This requires a framework and a monitoring system!
Source:

17. Capacity Development for EO: status 2016
monitoring an organization's clarity of mission – this involves evaluating an organization's goals and how well those goals are understood throughout the organization.
monitoring an organization's leadership – this involves evaluating how empowered the organization's leadership is-how well the leadership encourages experimentation, self-reflection, changes in team structures and approaches
monitoring an organization's learning – this involves evaluating how often an organization participates in effective self-reflection, and self-assessment.
monitoring an organization's monitoring processes – this involves evaluating how well an organization participates in self-monitoring.
Source: Ubels, Jan; Acquaye-Baddoo, Naa-Aku; Fowler, Alan (2010). "18". Capacity Development in Practice. Capacity.

18. Netherlands Initiative for Capacity development in Higher Education - NICHE

19. Final statements:
What are the future needs in building up capacity in earth observation in the thematic areas that we have expertise in (and ones we need to develop!)?
What modus operandii fit with these needs?
How to travel ‘last mile’ in order to embed Earth Observation firmly in society?
What success stories in capacity development can we tell?
Capacity is not built in meeting rooms like this one!

20. Current status and global trends in Capacity Development in EO & Geo-information
Thank you!

22. Panel discussion: what works where (WWW) in capacity development
Session lead: Freek van der Meer
Session panel: Andiswa Mlisa
Nancy Searby
Chris Mannaerts
Form: group discussion
plenary reporting

23. Panel discussion: what works where (WWW) in capacity development
Part 1: 30 minute discussion in three groups
Group 1: What is the role of MOOC’s, WIKI’s, new ICT support tools, social media in capacity development in earth observation in the context of GEO? - Chris Mannaerts rapporteur
Group 2: What instruments are available or needed to measure and monitor the outcomes (the net effect of an activity+output) and the impact (the long term effect) of capacity development efforts in GEO? – Andiswa Mlisa rapporteur
Group 3: How can we improve coordination of regional capacity development initiatives in GEO to foster best practices and create synergies avoiding overlap? – Nancy Searby rapporteur
Part 2: 10 minute reporting per group to set the ‘way forward agenda’ for capacity development