Objective

Gaspar Peral Ribelles
Undersecretary. Conselleria d'Infraestructures i Transport

"We are approaching the fifth edition of the gvSIG Conference, a year that no one can forget, marked by the economic crisis.

In these difficult moments when collaboration is most important, we cope with the adversities together with the aim of coming out strengthened by them. We continue moving ahead together. This is part of the gvSIG project and through this approach we keep on growing. This is our slogan for the fifth edition of the gvSIG Conference: We keep growing.

gvSIG is a continuously evolving project that is constantly adapting to reality. As a result of this continuous process of transformation a non-profit organization has been established: the "Association for the promotion of free geomatics and the development of gvSIG" or better known as "Association gvSIG.”

We want to recall that using free software is not the same as adapting its philosophy of shared knowledge to the development of a new business model; a new model that opens opportunities to many companies in the sector, especially to small and medium sized companies.

From those companies that have chosen to discontinue being specialist in brands and become specialists in technologies, to those that have incorporated the collaboration in their portfolios and in this way are able to transform weakness into opportunities; those that are prepared to face the new challenges of the Knowledge Society.

This reflection, this wager for this new business model has been carried out by the founding companies of the Association.

It is an association that is clearly and decidedly supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. We hope that it will be an open and democratic association where all those who follow its principles are welcome. An association that we are convinced will ensure the sustainability and evolution of the gvSIG project.

Without further ado we invite you to Valencia these days and hope that together with the traditional hospitality of our city, this conference may be useful and satisfactory for you. "