South African Earth observations specialists and practitioners converge at the University of Fort Hare for three days in September 2013. The topic of the 2nd SA-GEO Symposium which takes place from 10 to 12 September 2013 is 'Using Earth Observations for Informed Decision-Making in South Africa'.

This is the second symposium on Earth Observations, which has been organised by the National Earth Observations and Space Secretariat (NEOSS). The secretariat is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), hosted by the CSIR.

Terry Newby, Manager: NEOSS, comments, This symposium has been organised to highlight and share Earth observations applications that are under development or are operational in South Africa at the current time and that contribute to realising societal benefit. We are expecting approximately 100 participants at this event, representing government, industry, academia, NGOs and the media. We are pleased that both experienced Earth observations specialists and practitioners, and students from various local universities will be at the event.

Newby continues, The format of the event has been structured to accommodate both presented papers both scientific and technical and poster papers. Discussion sessions have also been included in the programme. The programme follows parallel sessions based on the sub-themes. A poster session and exhibition has also been included.

The objectives of the event have been listed as follow:

To promote the use and application of Earth observations in daily activities.
To promote networking within the South African Earth observation communities.
To share scientific and applications knowledge on the uses of Earth observations.
To provide a forum for researchers, academics, public officials (local, provincial national and parastatal), industry, data suppliers, consultants, NGOs and other professionals interested in Earth Observations to interact.

Snapshot of the programme
The symposium's sub-themes give an indication of the range of topics covered on the programme:

• EO SAT and (other) Earth observations: A boost to development. EO-SAT is South Africa’s new proposed Earth Observations satellite. 
• Integrating Earth observations to benefit society.
• Using Earth observations in policy, planning and decision-making.
• Potential and operational applications of Earth observations.
• Many happy returns: Earth observations for monitoring, measuring and managing.

Dr Philemon Mjwara, Director-General of the DST, is scheduled to do the opening presentation. 'AfriGEOSS observing a continent' is the topic of the address by Humbulani Mudau, DST Chief Director: Space Science and Technology. AfriGEOSS has as its vision to integrate Africa's Earth observations activities and systems into the Global Earth Observations System of Systems (GEOSS).

The first session on 10 September focuses on user needs and whether these are being addressed by available Earth Observations in South Africa. The keynote speaker in this session is Annaliza Collette of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Day 2 encourages participants to come to grips with the relevance of Earth observations for water management in addressing issues such as aquatic ecology, the impact of mine waste, eutrophication detection, water quality monitoring and snow cover mapping.

Parallel sessions on day 2 look at urban development, specifically monitoring of urban and informal settlements, as well as capacity development in Earth observations.

Additional sessions on day 2 explore Earth observations and agriculture, particularly identifying of stress factors in crops, crop identification, irrigation management, improved water use, and the use of Earth observations as a tool for effective agricultural strategic planning.

Day 3 considers Earth observations and ecology, Earth observations and soils, as well as the more technical aspects of Earth observations and data infrastructure.

Newby concludes, Our intention is that this event will contribute to building a vibrant, collaborative and active Earth observations community with access to timely, comprehensive and appropriate Earth observations that are operationally used in planning tools, decision support models and information and monitoring systems. This community, it is hoped, will contribute significantly to and impact positively on the development of South Africa's people and its economy; it will also help to ensure the sustainable use of its natural resources.

Technical enquiries:
Terence Newby
tnewby@csir.co.za Tel 012 841 2266; Cell no 082 954 891