ISPRS
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(which impacts developing countries most severely). The
establishment of an assessment equivalent to 1096 of the
registration fees for the ISPRS Congress and Symposia is
estimated as almost sufficient to offset these potential
costs. Several other measures may be taken to share the
administrative load with positive fiscal implications. These
include the fact that postage costs will diminish as more
Members become linked to the Internet, and aggressive
efforts to pursue additional Sustaining Members. Clearly,
the Society leadership is charged with continually seeking
new and innovative ways and means to run the Society
and to shape and frame the future.
Initiatives for Value Enhancement
Value enhancement of Society activities can be measured
by its outreach activities, be they publications, communi-
cations or joint activities with other groups on the interdis-
ciplinary boundaries. The “ISPRS Journal of Photogram-
metry and Remote Sensing” and the continuing series of
ISPRS Archive Volumes provide a permanent history of the
S&T and other activities of the Society throughout its 90
year history. The Society’s Bulletin “ISPRS Highlights” and
Home Page on the Internet are now providing Members
with timely news and Society information hitherto arcane
to most working in the profession. These activities are
healthy and should continue, although their form may
change with advancements in communications technol-
ogy. Similarly, ISPRS has good relations with its sister
societies of ICA, IAG, IHO and FIG. However, as the
boundaries ever increasingly blur between these and other
related associations, it is imperative that joint activities
become more common. It is time to seek partners who are
willing to promote joint meetings, workshops, summer
schools, cosponsor events of common interest, and to
eventually create joint WGs for S&T activities which over-
lap the disciplines. This type of joint collaboration should
not be limited to just sister societies but also should be
sought with intergovernmental organizations (UN, World
Bank, ICSU, CEOS, etc.) whenever it is in mutual interest
and economically feasible.
A very important initiative is for the Society to formally
establish an 'ISPRS Foundation’ for the promotion of
deserving activities. To pursue the aforementioned goals
and activities effectively requires the involvement of scien-
tists and experts from all geographic regions of the world to
be enlisted. The Society should create and enhance links
with the developing world. Grants made available through
the Society should be channelled for the pursuit of scientific
and technological activities which benefit the whole
P&RS&SIS community and its user constituencies. The
need for education and training in our disciplines is very
high, especially in developing regions. An ISPRS Founda-
tion would facilitate outreach support for, and development
of, distance learning opportunities, tutorials, workshops and
related activities. Likewise, this ISPRS Foundation could
Serve as a source of support for deserving scientists and
engineers from developing countries to participate more
fully in the educational and scientific activities of the Society.
A committee needs to be established to create an ISPRS
Foundation and to solicit patrons and sponsors.
Providing an orderly development and implementation of
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this vision for the future of ISPRS requires awareness of
the S&T relationships of ISPRS with other organizations. It
is important to identify with whom and where overlaps of
common interests are located. Performing this 'integration
for value enhancement' task is necessary to determine pri-
orities for enhancing interdisciplinary relationships, for
developing and/or reinforcing joint activities with other
organizations and for identifying gaps in relevant activities.
To achieve this, two matrices have been initiated to show
activity overlaps of ISPRS Commissions with: (a) ISPRS
Regional Member Associations, and (b) activities of Other
International Organizations and Societies. It is Council's
intent to place these matrices on the ISPRS Home Page
www.isprs.com Copies of these matrices can also be
obtained from Council. To keep ISPRS relevant in this
dynamic world will require continual maintenance of these
matrices and periodic assessments of their content, for the
Society to set proper priorities and relationships.
The public image of ISPRS is high within its sciences and
engineering fields but quite transparent or mysterious to
the general public. The acronym ISPRS, let alone
P&RS&SIS, does not do justice for promoting the benefits
our disciplines bring to the general public. It is now the
21st Century and it is time we improve our identity. Some
moves in this direction include the promotion of a subtitle
or tag-line for the Society which describes who we are and
what we do. The most encompassing and descriptive title
for ISPRS is "Information from Imagery." To accompany
this bold move from tradition is the creation of a modern
logo befitting of the Society. A marketing manager, hired
on commission basis, could support other promotional
efforts for enhancing public awareness of the Society and
the disciplines and professions it represents. Such a posi-
tion can solicit Sustaining Members, sponsors for events,
gather materials for ISPRS exhibits, draft press releases
and provide related publicity services. The revenue gener-
ated from this activity should be used to avoid need for
Member subscription increases.
Concluding Remarks
The ISPRS is an excellent blend of specialists from acade-
mia, industry and government. As a Society formed to fos-
ter international co-operation it provides a public forum for
advancement and promotion of S&T achievements and
challenges to be shared, debated and documented. At the
same time, the Society provides a social opportunity for
cultural differences to be shared and synergies to develop
which cultivate lasting relationships for the benefit of all.
The vision of ISPRS is to be 'the' international focal point
for excellence in the photogrammetric, remote sensing and
spatial information sciences. Its mission and activities all
have altruistic roots and it flourishes on the voluntary efforts
of its Members. It works on open democratic principles and
it subscribes to an internationally accepted non-discrimina-
tory doctrine. This summary vision of the future for ISPRS
in the 21st Century is the result of a consensus of opinion
by the ISPRS Council that began from its strategic planning
meeting. The opportunity to enhance the Society is great
and the resources are available. The ISPRS has a long and
glorious history which we revere and wish to preserve,
enhance and perpetuate. Its success is now contingent on
the collective efforts and dedication of its Members.
International Archives of Photogrammerty and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part A. Amsterdam 2000.
