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<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0); font-family:"Helvetica Neue"; font-size:11pt; font-style:normal; font-variant-caps:normal">Dear colleagues</span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">I have</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">ethical query on</span><span style="font-size:11pt"> vendor lobbying/influencing and vendor sponsorship in GIS/EO education, research,</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">projects, publications, scientific journals, scientific conferences, training and will appreciate advice.</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">I served as a Program Board member for the Group on Earth Observations (2018-2020). I currently serve as an observer to the GEO Program Board representing CODATA and International Science Council.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">I served on GEO Data Ethics Sub group (now closed by</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">GeoSec</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">citing “resource constraints”) where I have been raising the issue of vendor sponsorship for Group on Earth Observations (GEO) conferences, projects etc and the need to have clear guidelines.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">I have raised ethical concerns many times in GEO Program Board and different GEO committees (over 4 years now) on the issue of</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">vendor sponsorship in GEO, rise of EO data feudalism using GEO frameworks , need for guidelines for GeoSec on vendor lobbying , code of conduct for GeoSec staff, GEO Associate members,</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">Racial injustices etc but my ethical concerns were ignored by GeoSec. The GEO Data Ethics Sub Group has now been closed in July 2022 by</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">GeoSec citing “resource constraints”.</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Why were the ethical concerns I raised over the years</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">ignored by the GEO Secretariat ?</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Few days back , I saw this article on</span><span style="font-size:11pt"> vendor lobbying written by a whistleblower who worked many years at senior level for the GIS vendor who is a GEO Associate at
</span><a href="https://esriunearthed.substack.com/p/esri-and-jerry-lewis" data-auth="NotApplicable"><span style="color:rgb(220,161,13); font-size:11pt">https://esriunearthed.substack.com/p/esri-and-jerry-lewis</span></a></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">So I have ethical concerns on lobbying by GEO Associates after reading this article on vendor lobbying and request advice from colleagues with Policy expertise. Is there a code of conduct for GEO Associates?</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Are there any guidelines for scientific organisations, universities, </span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> scientific journals to</span><span style="font-size:11pt"> prevent vendor lobbying or
influencing in publications, projects, education initiatives, GIS curriculum, events etc ?</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">There are so many recent examples of ethical issues by</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">GEO Associate members that GEOSec for some reason wants to ignore.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">I have raised ethical concerns on the issue of any GEO Associates (Vendor X or Y , it doesn’t matter)</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">using “science” as part of marketing strategy for selling/promoting their products/services/brand.</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">Is using “science” as part of marketing for selling/promoting products/services/brand by GIS vendors misinformation ?
</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<a href="http://lists.ogc.org/pipermail/geoethics/2022-August/000045.html" data-auth="NotApplicable"><span style="font-size:11pt">http://lists.ogc.org/pipermail/geoethics/2022-August/000045.html</span></a></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Does lobbying/influencing by vendors lead to corruption? If so, is it ethical?</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Why did GEO Sec ignore (not even a public statement in the GEO website)</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt">
</span><span style="font-size:11pt">when GEO Associate was found by U.S. Department of Labor for pay discrimination against</span><span style="font-size:11pt"> female employees?</span><span class="x_x_x_x_Apple-converted-space" style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
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<a href="https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ofccp/ofccp20220803" data-auth="NotApplicable"><span style="font-size:11pt">https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ofccp/ofccp20220803</span></a></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">There is huge pressure to hide all these ethical issues by some organisations. </span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Ethical frameworks in governance at all levels (from global to national to local) are important to protect democracy, protect human rights and prevent corruption.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Best wishes</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:11pt">Suchith</span></p>
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