Country: France – City: Paris – Address: Au siège de MSF France, 14/34 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris

Large-Scale Participatory Mapping Event Mapathon

Description:

Mapathons are participatory and solidarity-based mapping sessions aimed at mapping regions that are still missing from existing maps in order to support humanitarian and international solidarity organizations. These organizations rely on accurate and up-to-date maps to respond more effectively in times of crisis and to initiate local development projects.

These mapping workshops are organized as part of the Missing Maps project, which seeks to proactively map areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters, health and environmental crises, conflict, and poverty. Although it may seem that every part of the world has already been mapped, in reality many regions still have no maps at all.

Main objectives:

We are co-organizing a mapathon with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) France, which will exceptionally open its Paris offices for the occasion ( still in approuval) . This is a unique opportunity to learn more about this major international NGO, which has been providing medical assistance for 50 years to populations whose lives or health are at risk – in France and abroad- particularly in situations of armed conflict, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and lack of access to healthcare.

Participants will benefit from a presentation of the day’s mapping project delivered by a member of MSF’s operational team. In addition, MSF staff will be present throughout the session to share their field experiences and insights.

Beyond discovering MSF’s humanitarian work, the event aims to:

– Contribute directly to humanitarian action by producing accurate and up-to-date maps to support crisis response and medical interventions

– Raise awareness about the importance of participatory mapping in emergency and development contexts

– Encourage civic engagement and volunteer involvement in digital humanitarian initiatives

– Create an interactive and educational space connecting geography, solidarity, and field operations

For those unable to attend in Paris, a videoconferencing and live chat system will be set up, allowing remote participants to follow the presentations and ask technical or general questions in real time.

Through this event, participants will not only contribute to a meaningful humanitarian project but also gain a deeper understanding of how mapping supports life-saving operations worldwide.

Event language: French

The event will be: mixed, in presence with streaming/remote participation (the link must be indicated in this form)

Link (for online events): Inscription by framaform : https://framaforms.org/inscription-a-la-nuit-de-la-geo-cartong-x-msf-1771624146

Reference person: Thaïs Michelet – Role or function: Participatory Mapping and Community & Volunteer Life Coordinator – Reference organization: CartONG

Those who organize are: NGO

Estimated starting time (local time): 6:00:00 PM

Expected duration: around 2 hours

Event program: it will be displayed here as soon as possible

GeoNight code: 2026330