The Road Ahead

The ISPRS is a non-governmental international organisation, devoted to the development of international co-operation for the advancement of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. The ISPRS works to advance these fields for the well-being of humanity and the sustainability of the environment.

In my opinion, the ISPRS should give environmental monitoring and sustainable development, disaster management and food security high priority in its activities. I believe that our sciences and technologies can contribute greatly to the environmental issues confronting the globe. We should be involved in the actions discussed in the report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Powering a Sustainable Future: Policies and Measures to Make it Happen. We should be one of the international scientific societies contributing to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. I hope that we will serve society not only with Earth observation, but also with our other sciences and technology. The spatial information sciences can offer a solution to many of the different problems of people living on this planet, such as preservation of cultural heritage, improving human health and easing the stresses of daily life. This brings me to another point that I believe should rank highly in ISPRS activities: ISPRS Outreach. Publicising our science and technology to the general population is vital. We must be prepared not only with scientific papers, but also with documents that describe in plain language the scientific achievements of the ISPRS. These documents can also help us to collaborate with, and elicit feedback from, other NGOs. We should take every opportunity (for example, the centenary celebrations) to publicise our sciences.

Orhan Altan

ISPRS President (2008-2012)