State of the Map Africa 2023/Call for venues/Cameroon
OUR VISION
Openstreetmap technologies made their entry in Cameroon in 2013, through young digital and mapping enthusiasts, whose mission, in view of the Cameroonian context, was to overcome the problems of centralization and availability of data collected.
Suddenly, the need to train and educate the population in the production, use and sharing of data through an application made by Africans gave birth to the GeOsmFamily movements whose missions are to work towards the popularization of open data and participatory methods of mapping territories. GeOsm Family wishes to organize the SOTM 2023 conference, whose objective will be to:
- To gather the actors, contributors and OSM enthusiasts around an event that will enhance the efforts to popularize data, by presenting its contribution to the resolution of concrete problems at the local and international levels;
- Federate efforts to raise awareness among public and private authorities about the use and availability of open data;
- Share the experience of other OSM communities on the issues that motivate their dynamism in Africa and in the world;
On the other hand, GeOsm Family intends to exchange on issues such as risk management through the Understanding the Risk conference which is a global community of disaster risk management (DRM) practitioners that exchange knowledge, collaborate, and share best practices in the field of disaster risk assessment. Every two years, GeOsm Family organizes an event focused on national Disaster Risk Management and capacity building issues. The Second Edition of UR Cameroon conference will take place two days prior to SOTM Africa 2023.
This duo (SOTM and UNDERSTANDING THE RISK) would allow us to consider the contribution of open data in the management of the current challenge while we are experiencing intense climate variations; and to bring a solution to this problem.
WHY CAMEROON - YAOUNDE ?
Cameroon is described as "Africa in miniature", with reference to the fact that the country offers most of Africa's diversity from cultural (with French and English as its two official languages) to its diverse landscapes that represent the continent's major climatic zones. There are also over 258 ethnic groups which offer equally as many traditions as social diversities. This diversity makes Cameroon a mine of opportunities and Conference as this will create an impact on the local communities as well as Africa in general. Yaounde, nicknamed "City of Seven Hills" is a city of mountainous relief; the political capital of Cameroon. Yaounde is the seat of Cameroon's political government, which offers great flexibility in the interaction between the various institutions (authorizations, invitations, partnerships...) because most of their offices are located there. It has quality structures (conference rooms, hotels, hospitals and specialized centers, tourist sites) and adequate provisions (security of the premises, embassies) to welcome and ensure a harmonious stay to anyone coming from other countries. It is in this city that the launching ceremonies of the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 (CAN Total energy 2021) were held and which gave satisfaction to the public who came for the event. It also offers favorable climatic conditions. Yaounde is a city that makes Cameroon proud, because it represents perfectly the diversity of the country and its history, it represents the museum of Cameroonian heritage.
THE TEAM?
We are a non-profit association 'GeosmFamily' based in Melen STREET 542, Yaounde is accredited by the OSM foundation since 2021, and we have 20 members and a large community of contributors.
Our key members:
- Willy Franck SOB (GeOsm Family);
- Arielle KOUMA (GeOsm Family);
- Marie MAKUATE (Kids and Girls in GIS);
- Carole YAKANA (Yaounde City Council);
- David DONFACK (Ministry of Housing and Urban Development); Are the members of the local organizing committee with the support of:
- Ibrahima Cissé (West & North Africa Open Mapping Hub),
- Teg-Wende Idriss Tinto (West & North Africa Open Mapping Hub),
- Carter Draper (West & North Africa Open Mapping Hub),
- Roufaye Issaka (West & North Africa Open Mapping Hub),
- Aissatou Sow (West & North Africa Open Mapping Hub),
- Elhadji Ndiaye (West & North Africa Open Mapping Hub)
WHEN ?
We propose to organize this conference during the first weekend of December 2023, from December 6-8, 2023
WHERE?
At the Conference Hall of the City Hall of Yaounde; The conference room of the Yaounde City Hall has a regional and national reputation for hosting events. This versatile building can accommodate all types of professional meetings. It can accommodate a conference of over 1,000 people in the concert hall, using the other rooms for small groups, meetings and small catering areas.
TRANSPORTATION
From the airport to the city, we have secure city cabs at Nsimalen International Airport. The Yango transport application is also available and very reliable. In addition, to ensure the movement of participants, we plan to partner with a local transportation agency; we will also provide a vehicle that will ensure emergency transportation.
ACCOMODATION
The practical modalities for entering Cameroon are as follows:
- Visa-exempt foreign nationals: Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria;
- Special passports: holders of diplomatic or service category passports issued to nationals of China, Italy and Turkey do not require a visa. Holders of diplomatic and service passports can obtain a visa on arrival if they have a mission order and a return ticket.
- Nationalities subject to visa: citizens of all other nationalities can obtain their visa at the embassy
We would like to advice that visas will only be issued by the Cameroon diplomatic and consular representations. No visas can be issued upon arrival in Cameroon. The participants who are citizens of countries requiring visas should submit a filled application form, passport photo and regular travel document with at least six months validity. The participants should also present a letter-invitation from the host organization and other documents if needed.
In addition, we have listed dozens of hotels located in the city center of Yaoundé, with which we will establish partnerships for the reception of participants. We will provide a platform and permanent assistance that will serve as a guide for the participants and facilitate the procedures for obtaining visas and accommodation.
LANGUAGUES
Cameroon is a Bilingual country (English and French are national languages). We are willing to organize a conference where alternating French and English and/or automatic translation will be required.
COVID TEST
The Government of Cameroon demands a negative Coronavirus PCR test from all travelers aged five and above
BUDGET
For 300 participants
| Item | Quantity | Amount per unit in USD | Total Amount in USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | 3 days | 2400 | 7200 |
| Pre conference marketing | 2500 | ||
| Catering | 3 days | 9000 | |
| Scholarships | 30 | 25000 | |
| Tshirts | 300 | 10 | 3000 |
| Banners | 4 | 90 | 360 |
| Stickers | 1000 | 0,25 | 250 |
| Conference package | 320 | 15 | 4800 |
| Media coverage | 3 days | 1000 | |
| Social event | 1 day | 4000 | |
| Security | 2 people | 150 | 300 |
| Volunteers | 15 people | 20 | 300 |
| Miscellaneous | 3000 | ||
| Total | 60710 |