INVITATION: GEO-CRADLE Regional Workshop, 25/05/2017, Cairo

We cordially invite you to participate in the Regional Workshop of the GEO-CRADLE Horizon2020 project (www.geocradle.eu – Coordinating and integRating state-of-the-art Earth Observation Activities in the regions of North Africa, Middle East, and Balkans and Developing Links with GEO related initiatives towards GEOSS). The event is jointly organized by the Project Coordinator National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and the Project Partner Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE). It will take place on:

May 25^th 2017, from 10:00 to 16:00

Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel

51 El-Orouba, Almazah, Cairo, Egypt

This regional workshop will focus on identifying the potential local challenges and needs that can be addressed with the Earth Observation (EO), enabling more informed decision making, while seeking solutions to enhance growth and innovation in the geo-information sector. Aiming to support knowledge sharing, capacity building and an enhanced cooperation between academia and industry, the event will also provide participants with a unique cross-sector networking opportunity. In addition, panel discussions will be complemented with information on available EU funding in the EO sector. We are looking forward to welcoming you to this event and we are certain that your presence and input will greatly enrich our discussions.

Please register by filling in this form: www.eventora.com/en/Events/geo-cradle-cairo

For further information about project activities, please visit the GEO-CRADLE website at www.geocradle.eu

Yours sincerely,

Dr Haris Kontoes Prof Hesham M. El-Askary

GEO-CRADLE Project Coordinator, NOA GEO-CRADLE Project Partner CEDARE

Time	Topic	Speaker
09:00-09:15	Registration
09:15-09:30	Welcome notes	Dr. Nadia Makram Ebeid, Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), Director Dr. Hesham El-Askary, GEO-CRADLE Regional Coordinator Dr. Haris Kontoes, GEO-CRADLE Project Coordinator Local officials, project regional and overall coordinators welcoming participants.
09:30-10:00	Environmental Challenges and Earth Observation solutions in Egypt	Dr. Omar Elbadawy, CEDARE, Egypt Dr. Islam Abou El-Magd, Alternate GEO Principal for Egypt Representatives of CEDARE and GEO discuss the geo-information needs in Egypt, and present solutions offered by the two organisations.
10:00-10:15	GEO-CRADLE opportunities for Egypt and the region (part 1)	Dr. Haris Kontoes, GEO-CRADLE Project Coordinator, National Observatory of Athens (NOA) Short presentation of the GEO-CRADLE project, notably its usefulness to Egyptian and regional stakeholders.
10:15-10:30	Copernicus and GEO opportunities for Egypt and the region	Ms. Eleni Christia, GEO-CRADLE Project Communication Manager, NOA, Greece
10:30-10:40	Presentation of the GEO CRADLE networking platform	Ms. Alexia Tsouni, GEO-CRADLE Project Coordination Team, NOA, Greece
10:40-10:55	Q&A – Discussion	Interested in joining the network? Fill in the Survey!
10:55-11:15	Coffee break
11:15-13:00	GEO-CRADLE opportunities for Egypt and the region (part 2) (15 mins each speaker)	Pilot Activities 1. Access to Solar Energy Dr. Stelios Kazadzis Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos, World Radiation Center (PMOD/WRC) Dr. Hesham M. El-Askary, Center of Excellence in Earth Systems Modeling and Observations, Chapman University, USA Eng. Ehab Ismail Amin on behalf of Dr. Eng. Mohamed Mostafa El-Khayat, Vice Chairman for Studies, Research, and Technical Affairs, New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), Egypt 2. Adaptation to Climate Change (Desert Dust Focus) Dr. Hesham M. El-Askary, Center of Excellence in Earth Systems Modeling and Observations, Chapman University, USA Dr. Islam Abou El-Magd, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Egypt 3. Improved Food Security – Water Extremes Management Ms. Alexia Tsouni, NOA 4. Access to Raw Materials Ms. Eleni Christia, NOA Presentation of the pilot activities, the involvement of local stakeholders, and the expected outcome.
13:00-13:10	Q&A – Discussion
13:10-13:30	Coffee break
13:30-14:45	Operational uses of geo-information: case studies best practices and needs (15 mins each speaker)	Eng. Naglaa Ahmed on behalf of Dr. Tarek El Sayed, Head of Central Administration for Information, Documentation and Decision Support, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt (MWRI) Mr. Mohamed Omar on behalf of Mr. Abdelhay Eldemerdash, Chief Commercial Officer of EDGE-Pro for Information Systems, Supporting the industry by daily imaging capabilities using Planet satellite constellation, Egypt Mr. Karem Ben Khaled, Regional Center for Remote Sensing of North Africa States (CRTEAN), LDAS & UD-RASP, Tunisia Ms. Alexandra Jercaianu, EURISY, France Presentations of concrete, hands-on case studies of end users benefiting from satellite-derived geo-information in Egypt, MENA and European countries, and expressing needs and challenges.
14:45-15:30	Round table: how to maximise the benefits of EO in the region with investment trends in solar energy in Egypt?	Chair: Dr. Hesham M. El-Askary, Center of Excellence in Earth Systems Modeling and Observations, Chapman University, USA Panelists: user organisations, NREA, EURISY, NOA, MWRI Participants
15:30-15:40	Conclusions	Dr. Haris Kontoes, GEO-CRADLE Project Coordinator
15:40	Closing lunch	Social time

DOWNLOADS: Invitation & Agenda