Consortium for Spatial Information (CSI)

Thinking Spatially, Acting Globally for a Sustainable Future

History

The Consortium for Spatial Information (CSI) was formed to establish the CSI as a premier platform for the global sharing and dissemination of spatial knowledge and information, specifically targeting the facilitation of sustainable development. Although all project activities were delivered, this project represents an on-going and continuing effort to strengthen the network of geospatial scientists within the CGIAR and to facilitate an active geospatial community of practice.

Since the launched of the CSI’s GeoPortal in 2004, the website has had more than 100,000 unique visitors. The GeoPortal was also called into service in the immediate aftermath of the Asia Tsunami in 2004 and provided a data dissemination platform for emergency response maps In addition, a CGIAR metadata inventory was initiated and is now active at all Centers, while the agreement reached with FAO and SDRN to join together the CGIAR metadata search with FAO, WHO, UNEP, OCHA, and WFP progressed, with the CGIAR-CSI as a full member of the GeoNetwork Steering Committee, and invited to join the UN Geographic Working Group (UNGIWG).

The GeoNetwork OpenSource metadata search capability is now installed at all Centers, and has been used to develop a unified metadata search portal that serves as the unified search engine for all Centers and initiatives. The Centers now have metadata records for geospatial data accessible from the CGIAR-CSI GeoNetwork node.

The most significant results of this project have been the strengthening for the CGIA-RCSI and the CGIAR geospatial community of practice; the development of a vibrant and active network for data sharing and collaboration; and the significant elevation of the CGIAR-CSI’s profile both within and outside the CGIAR.

Lead Administrative Center

International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Project Coordinator

Robert Zomer, Coordinator, Consortium for Spatial Information (IWMI)