The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) recently joined the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations, focused on the growing potential of earth observation. The University of Twente ITC Faculty enjoys a solid reputation in the field of capacity building and earth observation, which is why it was given the honour of joining the GEO. Participating in GEO gives ITC the opportunity to be a part of the decision process of what is going to be on the international agenda with regard to capacity building and earth observation.
GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. Dean Tom Veldkamp is the representative on behalf of the ITC Faculty, his second being Freek van der Meer. GEO coordinates efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). This system can be used to improve how we deal with disasters, the environment, energy resources, the climate, water, the weather, agriculture, ecosystems and biodiversity. International collaboration in these aspects is essential for exploiting the growing potential of earth observation. GEO offers a framework within which partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments. GEO consists of 90 governments (members) and 77 participating organizations with an international mandate such as ESA, FAO, EUMETSAT, UN organizations and the European Commission. ITC is one of these 77 participating organizations.
During the plenary meeting in Geneva, the ITC Faculty received support for its proposal to become a member of the GEO executive committee. Tom Veldkamp: "Being a GEO participating organization helps us improve and expand University of Twente's international network and gives us the opportunity to help shape the international agenda for earth observation." GEO now works on its second 10-year implementation plan, which will run until 2025. The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) is secretary of the Netherlands within GEO.
