1. EFGS 2015
European Forum for Geography and Statistics 2015 Conference
Vienna, Austria, 10 – 12 November 2015
Welcome speech
Janusz Dygaszewicz
EFGS President
Programming and Coordination of Statistical Surveys Department Director
Central Statistical Office of Poland

2. WHAT IS THE EFGS
Since1998 a network of experts – primarily working in European National Statistical Institutes (NSI).
Mainly GIS specialists but also statisticians, researchers and employees of mapping authorities.
Voluntary work done by devoted experts with visionary ideas.

3. EFGS ACTIVITIES
The main goal - to promote the integration of statistical and geospatial information in public sector information and the use of GIS in NSIs;
EFGS acts as a reference group for Eurostat and the project group for the GEOSTAT projects;
In October this year we received the status of official Observer Organisation to UN-GGIM: Europe;
Regularly produces strategy documents on various aspects regarding the integration of statistical and geospatial information;

4. EFGS WORK PROGRAM
Creation of a point-based spatial reference framework for official statistics as the base for desimination of statistical data on grid;
Partnership between NSI and NMCAs on equal terms;
Increased participation of NMCAs and geospatial experts in the activities of the EFGS, e.g. in the EFGS conference;
A fully geocoded census 2021;
A truly object oriented statistical-geospatial information system for sustainable development ranging from local to global;

5. EFGS WORK PROGRAM the program is implemented through:
works within projects:
GEOSTAT 1 and 2
„Merging statistics and geospatial information in Member States”
active participation in UN-GGIM and UN-GGIM: Europe sessions
final version of the GEOSTAT 2011 population grid on the Eurostat website:
The grid contains the total residential population on the date of the census
With national data from 29 EU/ EFTA member states plus data from Kosovo and Albania, the GEOSTAT 1 project has by far exceeded all expectations

7. Copyright© 1997-2015. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.

8. EFGS AS A FORUM FOR KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
The lack of regular contacts and working relationships between NSIs and NMCAs is often a major obstacle for better understanding, cooperation and data sharing;
The strength of the EFGS is willingness for networking and knowledge sharing (annual conferences, projects and website);
UN-GGIM and NMCAs should take advantage of the professional network established by the EFGS in this important area of geospatial information management;

9. Initiator and co-founder of EFGS
In memory of
Lars Henrik Backer
passed away on13th May 2015
Initiator and co-founder of EFGS
EFGS executive director for many years
Main target:
the development of ‘Spaceship Earth’
Favourite motto:
“Vision without action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare”

10. Thank you for your attention
Janusz Dygaszewicz
EFGS President
Programming and Coordination of Statistical Surveys Department Director
Central Statistical Office of Poland