Protecting our world, conquering new frontiers

FIG Working Week

2023, 28 May to 1

June 2023 Orlando (Florida), USA

A sustainable agenda for planet and people is a universal agenda. If we are to achieve economic, social and technological progress, it is imperative that this occurs in harmony with nature. As survey professionals from the land, the built and natural environment and the geospatial sectors, we have a key role around the world to lead and contribute to make this sustainable development agenda happen. ‘Protecting our World, Conquering New Frontiers’ is the overall theme of this year’s FIG Working Week which will be held in Orlando, Florida, for three conference days from 29-31 May. This theme is intended to inspire surveying and geospatial professionals in land management, land survey and land administration and to seek to expand our presence through technology, experience, collaboration and goodwill for a better tomorrow. As our world and climate changes around us, we aspire to leverage our knowledge base and tools for measuring, monitoring and forecasting how to improve the outlook for our future generations. The theme is strategically aligned with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Agenda as articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Three plenary sessions around planet, people and partnerships

The conference theme draws upon the FIG vision to serve people and planet and to work in partnership for societal benefit. This will be reflected in the three plenary sessions that will set the scene for each of the three conference days.

Drawing from ‘planet’, the first plenary session on Monday 29 May will focus on ‘Protecting our World’, in which especially the relationship between climate change and sustainable development will be on the agenda. The climate focus is now the foundation of sustainability and underpins everything we do in our professional work. Keynote speakers will relate this to the leading role surveyors can play in a land management, land administration and geospatial context to contribute to the understanding of how we can take urgent action on climate change to support the needs of the present and future generations. Later in the day, FIG’s Task Force on Climate will deliberate further.

Drawing from ‘people’ and our profession, the second plenary session [on Tuesday 30 May has ‘Conquering New Frontiers’ as the main topic. Mankind has forever embarked on progressing through and finding new frontiers. Our professional members throughout the generations are no different – we were all the future at one time. Interpretations of the new frontiers from our keynote speakers will consider smarter working in digital transformation and the impact of geospatial infrastructure, space research and development. In addition, we will hear perspectives from our young surveyors in relation to what this means to them and what it means to be at the forefront of the current generational frontier, as well as upcoming generations who are yet to choose surveying as their profession. Later in the day, FIG’s Task

Force on Diversity and Inclusion will deliberate further, along with FIG’s Geospatial Task Force. Drawing on people and partnerships, the third and final plenary session on Wednesday 31 May will elaborate on the overall action-oriented theme for this current term of leadership: ‘Tackling the Global Challenges’. Surveyors have much to contribute in society and should highlight, advocate and above all act to ensure change that builds on a sustainability agenda. In this plenary, our keynote speakers will elaborate further on selected challenges that are at the forefront of thinking and highlighted in some of the FIG Commission’s working groups. Driven by the need for sustainable development and to be fit for the future, this includes: an introduction to the new reference frame system/datum that is being introduced in the USA and which is leading up to a special National Geodetic Survey (NGS) Day/Track; disaster responsiveness highlighting the sustainability of island states, given the challenges that the small islands are facing (which will also be a special topic in the technical sessions); and technologically sustainable applications for the development of urban areas.

At the FIG General Assembly and in the Opening Ceremony on Sunday 28 May 2023, FIG President Diane Dumashie will set the scene. She will also explain the thoughts behind the FIG Vision and the overall theme for the term 2023-2026 that will be reflected throughout the conference days.

More info www.fig.net/fig2023