http://blogs.esri.com/esri/esri-insider/2013/02/01/the-role-of-gis-in-sustainable-economies/

ESRI, Environmental Systems Research Institute, provides software and geographic data to understand and hopefully help solve problems through spatial analysis.  In the blog I have included above, ESRI discusses the role of GIS in creating sustainable systems- how the multifaceted issues facing the world globally and locally are best conceptualized through the use of GIS.

“GIS gives us a lens to understand different objectives and create an environment for collaboration.”

I think this quote explains why I was so interested in the SIF program. I have a background in GIS, and have seen first hand the ability of it to create collaborative projects and engage varying disciplines. Like GIS, CURVE and the SIF program brings together various interests and backgrounds to tackle innovative projects and help reimagine ones already conceived.  Although the research and visualization part of CURVE is important, without the collaboration part I don’t think much innovation would be possible .