News — 07 November, 2024
Map, Give, Impact: A 24 hr Telemapathon
Open map data has a powerful impact on communities in vulnerable regions, but this wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of people around the world. Whether it’s a few hours each week, a portion of their income, or teaching others how to map, their contributions make a difference.
At HOT, we are excited to invite you to our first-ever 24-hour Global Telemapathon!
Join us on December 4th to celebrate both Giving Tuesday and International Volunteer Day. Through mapping, games, and other fun activities, we’ll honor the generosity of those who give what they can to support humanitarian open mapping.
→ Where?
The event will be completely online and live-streamed through our Streamyard platform. Register here.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive more information about the session you’ve registered for (i.e. program/guest speakers) and the link to join the live stream on Dec 4th.
→ When?
The event will start on December 4th at 00:00 UTC (10 am for those in the earliest time zones of the Asia-Pacific region) and finish by December 5th at 00:00 UTC (4:00 pm on Dec 4th for those in the Western Coasts of North America). Each session will run for 2 hours, with mapping activities hosted by HOT staff, wonderful guest speakers, and volunteers across 12 time zones. We will share the full program soon!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
→ Q1: What is HOT’s Global Telemapathon?
HOT’s Global Telemapathon is a 24-hour virtual event happening on December 4th, 2024, in recognition of Giving Tuesday and International Volunteer Day. The event will bring together thousands of mappers, NGOs, corporate partners, and changemakers from around the world to contribute to life-saving and community-supporting mapping projects. The aim is to create critical open data to aid in disaster preparedness, humanitarian response, and development efforts in under-mapped regions.
→ Q2: What can I expect during the event?
The event is divided into 2-hour blocks in different timezones, where HOT staff will host and lead the following activities:
- Guest Speakers & Panel Discussions: Hear from experts in humanitarian work, mapping, disaster management, and climate action.
- Live Mapping Sessions: Participate in mapping challenges using the open mapping platform MapSwipe.
- Interactive Games & Trivia: Test your geography and mapping knowledge for a chance to win prizes.
- Q&A Sessions: Engage with HOT staff and other global experts.
- Special Programming: Inspirational stories, live fundraising updates, and opportunities to learn how your contributions make a real difference.
→ Q3: How can I engage and participate?
Our event will be hosted on Streamyard, allowing you to watch, engage, and participate in live activities. A link will be sent out to all who register.
- Sign up to participate in a 2-hour time block that fits your schedule.
- Start exploring the mapping tool we will use during the Telemapathon: MapSwipe.
- Interact on Social Media: Use the hashtag #MapGiveImpact to share your participation and engage with our global community.
→ Q4: Who can participate?
Everyone! HOT’s Telemapathon is open to all, regardless of experience level. Whether you’re a seasoned mapper or new to open mapping, there are activities for everyone to enjoy and make an impact.
→ Q5: Can I share this event with others?
Yes, please! The more people who join, the greater the impact we can make. Feel free to share the event details with anyone and everyone who may be interested in contributing to this global cause.
→ Q6: Can children participate in the Telemapathon?
Absolutely! MapSwipe is a great, kid-friendly tool that’s simple and fun to use. Children (12 and up) can learn about the importance of mapping while swiping on images to help identify buildings and roads in unmapped areas. It’s a perfect opportunity to get the whole family involved in a meaningful activity.
→ Q7: How can I share my experience during the event?
You can share your experience on social media using the hashtag #MapGiveImpact. Post photos, screenshots, or stories about your mapping journey, and tag HOT to be featured! This helps spread awareness and encourages others to join in.
You can find us on the following platforms: Facebook: @hotosm/ Instagram: @open.mapping.hubs /X: @hotosm / LinkedIn: Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
→ Q8: Can I win prizes or earn recognition for participating?
Yes! Throughout the event, there will be opportunities to win prizes for participating in trivia games, reaching mapping goals, and sharing on social media. We’ll also celebrate top contributors and donors throughout the 24 hours.
→ Q9: What if I’m new to mapping?
No problem at all! We’ll have tutorials and live demos to get you started, and MapSwipe is a perfect beginner-friendly tool. Our team and community will be available to assist and guide you.
→ Q10: What’s the expected impact of the Telemapathon?
The map data created during the Telemapathon will directly support local communities, governments, and humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). With this information, they can respond faster and more effectively to emergencies like floods, earthquakes, and health crises, or use it to plan and prepare before disaster strikes. Check out examples from previous projects to see how the data is used.
→ Q11: Where can I get more information or ask questions?
If you have additional questions or need more details, feel free to reach out to our team via donations@hotosm.org. You can also check out our website for updates and resources.
We’re looking forward to an inspiring and impactful Global Telemapathon, and we’re so glad you’re interested in joining us! See you on December 4th!