Steve Cole
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0918
stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov
Gina Jackson
U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington
202-712-1917
gjackson@usaid.gov
RELEASE: 11-123
NASA AND USAID PLEDGE TO ADVANCE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WASHINGTON -- NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) have agreed to expand their joint efforts to overcome
international development challenges such as food security, climate
change, and energy and environmental management.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah
signed a five-year memorandum of understanding on Monday, April 25,
at NASA Headquarters. The agreement formalizes ongoing agency
collaborations that use Earth science data to address developmental
challenges, and to assist in disaster mitigation and humanitarian
responses. The agreement also encourages NASA and USAID to apply
geospatial technologies to solve development challenges affecting the
United States and developing countries.
"Technologies for NASA missions have long improved life here on Earth.
Together with USAID, we'll meet even more sustainable development
challenges here on the ground, solving problems for the world
community," Bolden said. "As we explore space, we'll also be
exploring solutions to important health, nutritional and safety
challenges in developing countries."
The agencies will continue collaborations to stimulate innovative
science and technology solutions to international development
challenges by using Earth science data, research results, computer
models, visualization applications and remote-sensing techniques.
USAID is the lead federal development agency implementing U.S.
development efforts through field-based programs and projects around
the world. NASA has broad experience with Earth science research,
development of Earth science information products, and technology
applications.
"Through our partnership with NASA, we can apply the latest,
cutting-edge technology to deliver meaningful results for people in
developing countries in areas like health, food security and water,"
Shah said. "It's a prime example of our efforts to use the power of
science and technology to tackle today's pressing development
challenges."
Since 2003, NASA and USAID have worked together building and expanding
the SERVIR program. The program allows people in developing regions
to use Earth observations for addressing challenges in agriculture,
biodiversity conservation, climate change, disaster response, weather
forecasting, and energy and health issues. SERVIR integrates
satellite observations, ground-based data and forecast models to
monitor and forecast environmental changes and improving response to
natural disasters in Central America, the Caribbean, East Africa and
the Himalayan region of Asia.
The agencies also collaborate on the LAUNCH program, which supports
science and technology innovators in the non-profit and private
sectors. The program's goal is improving innovations to achieve
greater impact on sustainability issues. NASA, USAID, the Department
of State and Nike formed LAUNCH to identify, showcase and support
innovative approaches to global challenges through a series of
forums.
The agencies have agreed to explore how efforts promoting science,
technology, engineering and mathematics education can be advanced
through joint support of programs such as Global Learning and
Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE). GLOBE is a worldwide
primary and secondary school-based science and education program
funded by NASA and other U.S. agencies.
For more information about the SERVIR program, visit:
For more information about the LAUNCH program, visit:
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
-end-
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