Jamal Browne, a PhD student at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, applied for assistance with travel costs to attend the World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty in Washington DC in June 2014. He had been invited to present two papers. Jamal reported on the event as follows.

The 2014 World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty was nothing short of a resounding success. It indeed exceeded my already high expectations, and was truly worth every ounce of my sponsors’ investments.

FULL REPORT

FIG Working Week 2025, Brisbane, Australia (6–10 April 2025)

Supported by an Aubrey Barker Fund Conference Bursary, Yumi Nafe, Senior GIS Specialist from the Ministry of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources, Tonga, attended the FIG Working Week 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. The conference provided opportunities to engage with international surveying and geospatial professionals, share regional experiences, and strengthen capacity in GIS and land administration.

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Through the Aubrey Barker Fund Conference Bursary,  Baintaake Babera from the Kiribati Women in Mapping (KWIM) initiative attended the FIG Working Week 2025, gaining valuable international exposure and professional development opportunities. As the sole participant from Kiribati, she represented her country on a global platform, sharing experiences and engaging with surveying, mapping, and geospatial professionals from around the world.

Awardee Reflection
“Attending the FIG conference for the first time was a truly life-changing experience. Representing KWIM and being the only participant from Kiribati pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and connected me with professionals from around the world, sharing insights about my work and learning from theirs. I also participated as a speaker in the C7 session, Women’s Rights and Access to Land, which was one of the most amazing experiences — presenting a paper on “Progress and Challenges of Kiribati Women in Mapping” in front of an audience made up of professionals and experts in surveying and GIS methods. Attending other sessions and learning from them is another experience I get during this conference. After attending the sessions, I was inspired by how GIS is being used to drive sustainable development, from managing natural resources to supporting climate resilience projects. It showed me that GIS is not just about mapping — it’s about shaping a better future for communities. Even more motivating was getting to see women and young leaders at the front of these innovations. This experience has inspired me to return home and offer possibilities for young girls and women in Kiribati, demonstrating that GIS is an area where they can lead, develop, and build a better future for all of us. I’m also grateful for the help of Kate and Aaron throughout this conference, making my week easier for me.”