Concluded action points - Next steps

Group-work presentations

Organizations with GIS application online today - response from conference

Conference Declaration

1. Director Qader agreed to present the final version of the Conference Declaration to the Supreme Council of Lands and Water where MRRD is a member.
2. The conference findings would be further deliverated and followed up in the next conference held at the GISDAY, 18th of November 2015 with support of UNEP.
3. A GIS user forum will be established and a supporting web page for information sharing is needed, but a desision for how best to accomodate these facilities will be discussed and hopefully agreed on during the GISDAY conferce next week.

Each group address the following issues:

1. List Why should we use GIS in development work?
2. What main constraints today
3. How can we use GIS more effectively in Afghanistan tomorrow?
   What can we do?
   What should we ask government to assist us to do?
   
4. What recommendations would you sent to Government with advice for steps for positive change for effective use of GIS tools in development?

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Of all the the 16 organizations attending the conference, only 3 had presentations online These were:

FINAL
Conference Declaration

Finalised: 23rd November 2015.

The National GIS Conference held at MRRD 10th and 11th of November 2015 was much wanted and needed.  Afghanistan needs to improve national development by making better use of modern IT technology and GIS tools.

The Conference identified many GIS users in Afghanistan and many training activities. Many organizations have started using GIS in an exciting and informative manner. GIS is clearly a tool to be used in Afghanistan.

The conference identified that there were many constraints hampering effective use of the good GIS tools.  In order to find good action points for a way forward we need to appreciate some of the constraints:

• Data may be available but not shared. 
• No standard formats for sharing information nor quality standards for data exist
• No forum for sharing information, expertise, software use and national experiences
• Restriction in release / sharing of information
• GIS activities often linked to projects, and sustainable updating lacking.
• Lacking general encouragement to present information for civil society, public and private uses online
• Very few organizations share their information online today.
• Barriers in implementation of MIS/GIS systems.
• Limited financial resources for licensed software(s).
• Lack of awareness programs on usage of modern IT and GIS.

Key recommendation for action

The conference proposed that a technical forum for GIS users should be established.

One government agency with adequate resources should take the lead and facilitate for chairing an action committee to draft an action plan for use of GIS tools in Afghanistan for enhanced national development.

An action plan should be prepared and presented to the SCoLW for better action, effective coordination, communication and information sharing with agencies in Afghanistan.

Establishment of Online MIS/GIS knowledge-based system by forum to share information about technological activities, overview of Afghan online systems, list of resources, standards, used tools, training programs, events, workshops  and etc.

AGCHO to organize, support/ facilitate development of GIS tools and applications in Afghanistan by supporting training sessions, workshops and conferences. 

Government should support funding for procurement of licenses for needed software to avoid use of crack software.

An effective national coordination with all GIS users and stakeholders must be established.

Conducting professional capacity building/awareness programs for better implementation and maintenance of information systems

Government should promote use of GIS in all relevant projects and for reporting development achievements to be shared freely and transparently to all Afghans.

A stronger link and corporation must be established between government programs and training institutions such as Universities to allow students to prepare for active engagement in development once qualified by having updated knowledge of how to use GIS tools effectively.

All existing key projects applying the modern information technologies and GIS tools should be listed for general information and unified systems should be improved in all sectors to prevent duplications and incomplete information.