The USAID-funded Supporting Activities that Value the Environment (SAVE) program organized the seventh in a series of interactive meetings on topics related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) on June 18, 2008. Interested professionals, engineers, technicians and experts from a variety of disciplines participated in the session that featured guest speaker Mustafa Korucu, an urban information systems expert with over twenty years of experience in the public works and planning. Complementing Mr. Korucu’s presentation, GIS experts James Price and Can Kara addressed various technical issues related to centralized data servers.

The session was part of SAVE’s overall work to build local capacity to better protect and manage Cyprus’ valuable natural and cultural resources. SAVE combines work on environmental protection, especially water management, with cultural heritage conservation, preservation, and restoration. Like all U.S.-funded programs in Cyprus, SAVE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through encouraging responsible economic development and sound environmental management.