8. The Role of Internet and Open Access Journals in the Internationalisation of Geography

The IGU took advantage of the Internet for collecting and promoting geographical information all over the world and developing its international networks. The use of remote sensing and the development of computerised models in spatial analysis preceded in dedicated IGU Commissions the explosion of georeferenced information generated through GPS and Internet. This evolution of the last three decades deeply modified the conceptions and practices among geographers and greatly amplified the internationalisation of geography to which IGU is dedicated over one century of existence. In order to reduce existing inequalities in the access to geographical scholarship and especially digital divide, open scientific journals may bring new opportunities for sharing geographical resources. Combined with initiatives of the many scholars involved in a diversity of IGU commissions, the development of an open geographical science is a promising avenue that will increase synergies and ethical practices for addressing the ambitious challenges in the future of IGU.