Enhancing the general understanding of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) staff on Geospatial Information System (GIS) and its functions was at the core of a two-day internal staff training hosted by the Secretariat’s Environmental Monitoring and Governance (EMG) programme.
GIS is a computer system capable of holding and using data describing places on the Earth’s surface. It performs five main data-related functions – data acquisition, data input, data manipulation, data management, data analysis and data output.
GIS has important uses in different fields, such as a monitoring and decision-making supporting tool in Environmental Impact Analysis, disaster management, zoning of landslide hazards, determination of land cover and land use, management of natural resources and many more to ensure sustainable development.
The training provided the staff with a look at the basic functions and components of GIS, demonstrated the applications of GIS software using datasets, and guided staff on how to access and share data available on data portals. It was conducted by Ms Vani Koroisamanunu, Environmental GIS Specialist for the Inform Project, and Ms Kasaqa Tora, Spatial Analyst Specialist.
At the end of the training, the participants were equipped with the skill and know-how to develop their own GIS project relevant to their work as well as enabling them to make better informed decisions based on Geospatial data and information.
The EMG team demonstrated a hands-on approach to making geospatial maps and how these can be applied to making informed decision making. Case studies and applications were also provided to better understand how GIS can support in implementing and executing project and workplans.
Director of EMG, Mr Jope Davetanivalu, said, “The training was well received by SPREP staff who were able to join both in person and virtually. They were grateful for the opportunity to upskill their knowledge, and have also expressed their interest in having more GIS training specific to the project and workplan they are involved in.”
For more information, please contact Ms Vani Koroisamanunu at [email protected], Ms Kasaqa Tora at [email protected] or Mr Paul Anderson at [email protected].