In September 2023, we convened a fantastic array of speakers and partners to launch the Power of Data High Impact Initiative at United Nations HQ.

The goal of the High Impact Initiative is to unlock new data sources, technologies, and investment to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve this, the plan is to create 30 national data partnerships by September 2024, that will revolutionize decision making, accelerate countries’ digital transformation agendas, and open up economic opportunities, for a more equal and sustainable world.

Just over six weeks from the launch of the initiative in New York, early movers gathered at Festival de Datos in Uruguay to take their first concrete steps together.

In a four-hour workshop, representatives from nearly all of the initial 15 countries* launching national data partnerships met to share priorities, opportunities, challenges and inspiring solutions. Together with the initiative’s co-leads – the Global Partnership, UNDP, UNFPA, UNDESA, UNICEF, CCS-UN and the World Bank – participants identified a set of concrete actions to be taken at a national and global level, to ensure the national data partnerships become a powerful reality.

This was a powerful start for the partnerships that – driven by strong political leadership at a national level – will bring together governments, tech companies, civil society, donors and others to build on existing initiatives to strengthen the use of data and drive progress on the SDGs and other development agendas.

Actions to drive forward the national data partnerships 

Through a series of breakout discussions, delegates identified the key actions to take at both the national and global level, to ensure the national data partnerships are a success. 

The actions at a national level included:

• Expanding support for capacity strengthening, particularly in supporting policy makers to build the skills needed to use predictive AI to solve policy challenges; 
• Strengthening partnerships – not just between government, private sector and CSOs – but also internally, among government agencies and departments; 
• Building stronger relationships with the private sector that will allow governments to learn what works, at pace; 
• Improving the visibility of national statistical systems – a specific suggestion was to establish a national, pooled fund for data and statistics if and where relevant.

At the global level, there was strong consensus that the Power of Data needs to become an initiative that has strong recognition and momentum. This is essential to attract political support and will at the highest levels of national government, such as by presidents and finance ministers.

Other actions at the global level included:

• Enabling and encouraging the private sector to share the data they hold in safe and responsible ways, and cross-country exchange of what works to convince and engage private companies on data sharing;
• Securing financial support for the initiative and national data partnerships; 
• Rallying support for countries to strengthen capacity in data skills, such as AI and machine learning;
• Channeling support for countries to acquire high-quality equipment and infrastructure, such as cloud-based and powerful computing systems; 
• Fostering synergies and alignment across global data initiatives to break down silos. 

Collaboration, capacity building and infrastructure 

To reach the actions outlined above, delegates heard from three panels, featuring leaders from across the national data partnership countries.

The first panel focused on improved partner collaboration. Delegates shared insights from a range of efforts, including bringing together large numbers of government agencies to share and report on SDG progress, to National Statistical Organizations forming a data lab in order to drive forward SDG progress across government.

The second panel focused on human resources, capacity building and quality of statistics. Discussions centered around the challenges many countries are facing in attracting and retaining statisticians and data scientists in the public sector, and the subsequent skills gaps that this exacerbates. Panelists also spoke about the risk of cyber attacks and the challenges of big data. This included the need, for example, to encourage private sector companies to share the data they hold on citizens, so it can be used to inform decisions.

The third panel’s theme centered on infrastructure, equipment and information technology. Speakers discussed the use of census data and non-traditional approaches to surveys. Remarks also focused on the uneven development of statistical systems and capacities between national and sub-national levels.

What next?

At the end of the session, delegates reviewed a summary statement, outlining key principles for the Power of Data initiative, which will soon be made available. 

It includes a commitment – within six months of joining the Power of Data initiative – for countries to establish a national data partnership with a coordination framework or leveraging a national mechanism for coordination that already exists. This will be led by a senior political figure, such as the Minister of Finance or Planning, and will bring together the relevant parts of government and external stakeholders. This group will focus on mapping existing priorities, strategies and initiatives on data and identifying synergies, establishing needs, and proactively facilitating partnerships that encourage all members to work in a coordinated way.

At the global level, development partners commit to align assistance with national data partnerships and allocate resources to deliver on those priorities. There will be ongoing efforts to mobilize funding for the initiative from potential donors, to ensure the sustainability and growth of the partnerships.

Following a short period of review, the national data partnership countries are expected to sign up to the outcome statement, as we embark on our collective journey towards unlocking the data dividend for the Sustainable Development Goals.

The High Impact Initiatives will reconvene at the High-Level Political Forum in July 2024. This is a key milestone at which all participating countries will have the opportunity to demonstrate progress and leadership in advancing national data partnerships.

If you are a Minister, official, or represent a country looking to launch or support national data partnerships and would like to find out more, please contact jslotin@data4sdgs.org

If you are from the UN system, a foundation, a tech or other company, or civil society and would like to find out more about how you can support the national data partnerships please contact fedgina@data4sdgs.org

* Participating countries were: Bangladesh, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Paraguay, Togo, Uruguay. The other Power of Data countries that were not able to attend are: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Somalia.

Photos of the Power of Data High Impact Initiative workshop at Festival de Datos. Photo credit: Pablo Kreimbuhl

With just a few days to go until Festival de Datos kicks off, we’re excited to share the links to our livestream sessions!

For those who can’t join us in Uruguay, we’ll be streaming a number of sessions, including the opening and closing ceremonies, town hall debates, and some of the interactive panel discussions. You can find the links via the streams tab on our YouTube channel, on this handy playlist, and below. Click ‘notify me’ to receive an alert when a session begins.

Watch the launch of the Global Partnership’s 2024-2030 strategy, the youth takeover plenary, inspiring discussions on AI and inclusive data, and more.

Below, you’ll find information about the sessions you can join online, along with livestream links to watch each one in English or Spanish.

Tuesday, November 7 

Opening ceremony

Join us as we kick off the proceedings for Festival de Datos! The opening ceremony aims to highlight where we are in terms of data collection, access, and utilization to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and set the tone for three days of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Opening ceremony | Ceremonia de inauguración

AI, opportunities and threats, by the Global Partnership 

In this session, leading thinkers and practitioners will share their thoughts on the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence (AI), followed by a lively town hall debate on the future of AI in the data for development community.

AI, opportunities and threats | IA, oportunidades y amenazas

Global Partnership 2024-2030 strategy launch

Join us for an interactive panel to launch the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data’s new strategy, which will run from 2024-2030. This session will unpack the strategy and its vision of a world where data and technology is driving sustainable and equitable development, and share how the Global Partnership could potentially help your organization through brokering solutions, convening learning, and building coalitions.

Global Partnership 2024-2030 strategy | Estrategia de la Global Partnership 2024-2030

Wednesday, November 8

Youth takeover plenary, by UNICEF, Ceibal, and the Global Partnership

Young people play an active role in today’s digital world, generating substantial amounts of data. However, they are often left out of conversations and decisions about data use and reuse. This interactive plenary will invite young people to make their voices heard and outline the opportunities and challenges of involving youth in data and digital processes.

Youth takeover plenary | Toma del poder de los jóvenes

Inclusive data: The foundations for success, by the Global Partnership, Data2X and Sightsavers 

How can we ensure that data-driven technological advancements such as AI are truly inclusive and do not create or deepen inequalities? Tune in to watch this lively town hall debate on what inclusive data looks like through a digitalisation, gender and disability lens, and the best path forward for inclusive data processes and intersectionality. 

Inclusive data: The foundations for success | Datos inclusivos: Las bases del éxito

Transformative innovations for public health surveillance and intelligence, by Vital Strategies

This interactive panel will focus on the value of data for public health decisions, specifically to deal with health emergencies, convening panelists from a wide range of sectors and geographical regions. 

Transformative innovations for public health surveillance and intelligence | Innovaciones transformadoras para la vigilancia y la inteligencia en salud pública

Thursday, November 9

The great debate: Accessing privately held data, by the Global Partnership and ECLAC

A lot of the data with the potential to improve lives lies in the hands of the private sector. In this engaging town hall session, experts will debate some of the key questions around using this data. Should governments be allowed to access it? Under what conditions? And what principles should guide data sharing efforts? 

The great debate: Accessing privately held data | El gran debate: Acceso a datos privados

Closing ceremony

Join us for the closing ceremony to wrap up an inspiring and extraordinary three days of activities. This session will feature the announcement of the location for the next Data for Development Festival in 2025, a cultural performance, and closing remarks from the Vice President of Uruguay.

Closing ceremony | Ceremonia de clausura

The UN Datathon 2023 in Montevideo, Uruguay will bring together some of the brightest minds in data science from around the world to create new, data-driven tools for local sustainable development.

This year’s event, taking place November 3-6 in conjunction with the Festival de Datos, has attracted significant global interest, with registrations from more than 500 teams worldwide, and nearly 2,000 participants from 110 countries signed up to take part. 

What is the UN Datathon?

This is the fourth UN Datathon, and this year participants will develop innovative, data-driven applications, tools or statistical models combining geospatial data with other data sources to help advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participants will join both online and on-site, as well as from numerous official satellite locations around the world.

A focus on local action and monitoring

This year’s theme is SDG localization – the need for local responses and monitoring to achieve the Global Goals. Local responses are essential for ensuring that no place is left behind, and localization is one of five key enablers for accelerating progress towards the SDGs.

Participants will be tasked with creating an innovative data solution which tackles local sustainable development challenges and leverages one or several of the ‘six transitions’ – the six areas identified as potential catalysts for achieving the SDGs – which are: 

• food systems 
• energy access and affordability
• digital connectivity
• education 
• jobs and social protection
• climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

What can participants and followers expect?

The Datathon champions the power of simple ideas to have a meaningful impact, and aims to help nurture those ideas into effective solutions. Through a series of training sessions – including workshops on privacy-enhancing technologies, the use of AIS shipping data, and ARIES for SEEA – participants can gain the skills and knowledge to help turn their ideas into viable projects and tools. 

At the end of the event, an independent jury will hand-pick projects to take forward, with the winning teams being announced on December 19, 2023.

Participants may also have their work shown at the Festival de Datos, and winners' projects may be implemented by the UN and its partners to support their work.

Those joining us in Uruguay for the Festival de Datos can head to the UN Statistics Division’s stand in the Festival venue foyer for updates on the Datathon and the work of the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD). 

At last year’s 2022 Datathon, 2,000 participants from 60 countries competed in 500 teams. Collectively, they delivered roughly 240 data-based projects over the course of the three-day event. This included impressive solutions for global shipping networks, protecting endangered species, and creating sustainable food sources.

Want to follow the action? You can join the UN Datathon Opening Ceremony online on Friday, November 3, at 14:00 (Uruguay Time, UYT). Check out the UN Datathon 2023 wiki for the most up-to-date info on the event, and view the 2023 event schedule for details on workshops and training sessions.

Not participating in the Datathon but want to join one of the training workshops? Email bigdata@un.org to request to join. 

The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) uses open data and mapping for the public good in various ways, including in response to humanitarian crises, in building more inclusive communities, and in documenting the impact of climate change.

The organization is hosting several sessions at the Festival de Datos, looking at how open mapping can be used for disaster response, for citizen activism, and for collecting inclusive data on internally displaced people. They also have a stand where attendees can visit to chat to the team about the work they do and potential collaborations.

Here, Fabrizio Scrollini, Regional Director of the Open Mapping Hub, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), HOT, shares why the Festival is an important event for the organization, how open mapping can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and what you can expect from their presence at the Festival.

Why did the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team want to get involved in the Festival de Datos and why does the event matter for your organization?

The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team was born out of the need for maps in critical situations. In January 2010, Haiti experienced one of the most dramatic earthquakes in its history. Amidst the chaos, 600 volunteers developed a base map of the country and provided information to emergency responders on the ground, changing the landscape of crisis mapping forever. This was the start of the use of openstreetmap in the humanitarian sector, where we have witnessed the power of open data to support organizations and communities working in the most pressing environments.

We are supporting this festival because we stand for the use of open data for development and we do this in our everyday work. Our teams distributed in the Americas, Africa and Asia are constantly facing situations where data is the defining factor to support a good crisis response, make visible a critical situation or engage in an informed way with local communities, empowering them.

For instance, in Morocco, after the recent earthquake more than 1,500 volunteers are contributing, mapping more than 170,000 buildings and feeding this information in response to authorities and partners. We recently launched our LAC Hub, building with dedicated volunteers and allies across the region a network to drive forward the use of openstreetmap in decision making, in the most unequal continent on earth. The festival is an opportunity to engage like-minded organizations to advance the power of open data for development.

We are supporting this festival because we stand for the use of open data for development and we do this in our everyday work.

- Fabrizio Scrollini, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team

How do you use data to achieve your mission and how can open mapping contribute to achieving the SDGs?

Data is at the heart of our mission. In a nutshell, we use data in three ways, supporting the achievement of the SDGs. 

For instance, we create, use and improve data in critical situations such as the recent Morocco earthquake where our volunteers map the region, feeding the information to several allies responding to the earthquake as well as local communities. These data are critical at the response time, but also very important in the rebuilding process, once the initial chaos has passed. 

We engage governments, mostly at the local level, to put the population on the map. We are on a mission to map one billion people that are not represented in our maps, that do not have access to basic services because they are not visible. We map, but we also engage and support their voices, as we recently did with our work in Open Cities across the Americas. Open cities is a good example of how map data supports inclusion, planning and achievement of the SDGs at a local level. Whether it is access to drinking water, health services, or economic services, maps are there to be freely used. We are also engaging colleagues on the ground to work with excluded communities such as indigenous and African American communities.

Climate change is obviously at the heart of our minds, work, and actions. As we move forward we are working with local governments, communities, and others to use data to document, protect, and exercise voices about issues that we are facing collectively as a global community.

What can we expect from your various sessions? 

Expect to engage with us and maps for development. We will share how we run "activations" to respond to humanitarian crises, and you can contribute mapping to our work. We will also share how we support our allies, and we will teach you a trick or two on how to map. Also, we will share about our work to train the next generation of mappers, and our work in the Amazon region. Finally, you can listen to our Executive Director on how we respond to the challenges of AI and inclusion in the mapping sector. But we are also here to listen, to chat, and to build with you.

What can attendees chat to you about at your stand?

Come and get to know about our global work, and our hubs. Chat with my amazing colleagues on the work we are doing across the region in cities across Mexico, Ecuador, and the Caribbean. Share with us your stories, where open data can make a difference in your work. We work in 94 countries around the world, so come and let us know what we could do together.

What are you most looking forward to about the Festival and who do you want to connect with?

I’m looking forward to hearing from development partners about the shared challenges we face. Also from local voices across the world, to understand how the power of data can deliver for them in their context. I’m eager to connect with our colleagues from national statistics agencies and civil society advocates working with data. Also, I am looking forward to sharing how openstreetmap is a digital public tool that can be part of the infrastructure that brings the power of data for good to our region and across the world.

Jimena Cascante Matamoros is Senior Youth Collective Coordinator at Restless Development, a global non-profit agency that supports young leaders to create a better world.

Here, she gives a taster of Restless’ upcoming session at the Festival de Datos on digital rights and feminist technologies, highlights some of the barriers facing women and vulnerable populations when it comes to tech access and use around the world, and shares what she’s most looking forward to about the Festival.

Can you tell us a little about Restless Development and your role within the organization?

Restless Development is a global non-profit agency that supports the journey of young people around the world. We work in different countries where our goal is to support young people leading changes in their communities and multiplying that leadership. My role in the organization is Senior Youth Collective Coordinator; through the Youth Collective we bring together Youth Civil Society Organizations worldwide to learn from each other.

My work in particular is in a project called We Lead, where we support young women from four different rightholder groups (young women with disabilities, young women affected by displacement, young women living with HIV, and young women who identify as LGBTQI+) from nine countries from Central America, MENA region and Africa in advocating for their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

I’m also a part of a project on Digital Health and Rights which focuses on a transnational participatory action research approach to digital governance research in Ghana, Colombia, Kenya and Vietnam, looking to empower transnational youth activist networks to raise the recommendations in health policy in national and global health governance.

What most inspires you in your work?

The thing I enjoy the most about my work is seeing first-hand the amazing and courageous work that young women are doing around the world, how innovative and creative they are in the ways in which they engage with their communities to advocate for their rights, and how involved they are in the making of a better world for themselves and those to come. It’s a privilege to be able to support young people and to amplify their voices and the work they do in changing everything from mentalities to global policies.

Your Festival de Datos session is about feminist technologies. What does feminist technology mean to you at Restless, and how does this relate to digital rights?

When we talk about feminist technologies, we are acknowledging the fact that technology is not as neutral as we’d think, and that there are inequalities when it comes to – including but not limited to – gender. We want to open the discussion to understand the power dynamics that are at play, making internet access unequal, and find out about initiatives that are working on changing those conditions looking to make the internet a safe space and accessible for all.

Discussing digital rights needs to be done through a feminist lens. While data is also often considered as impartial, the reality is that there are many factors that we need to analyze, from potential loss of privacy to potential biases and discrimination against historically vulnerable populations. 

Some of the issues that we face regarding this topic include things such as the digital divide, the differentiated access to technology for different populations – women vs men, rural vs urban, different economic classes, etc, – to things such as online harassment (for instance against LGBTQI+ populations), misinformation and lack of regulation of the information found online to the barriers that young activists are facing to make their voices heard on social media, for example.

What are some of the key issues you’ll be exploring in your session, and who is it aimed towards?

During our session you’ll hear from different organizations, both from the public sector and from NGOs, who are doing work on the gathering, use and analysis of data with a gender-sensitive approach in different countries in Latin America. We’ll also look at how these practices can support different populations facing vulnerability and discrimination to protect and assert their digital rights and in advancing and transforming societies. 

What resources do you recommend for anyone wanting to learn more about feminist technologies and digital rights? 

Restless Development actually has a lot of resources available online that touch upon digital rights as well as feminist technologies with intergenerational voices from around the globe. I’d invite you all to look through the Feminist Action Labs and also to read the latest State of Youth Civil Society Report 2023 “Young, Feminist and Fearless: Holding the line” with inspiring stories of young feminist movements holding the line around the world and the challenges they face, including the ones around digital spaces.

What are you most looking forward to about the Festival de Datos? Are there any other sessions or aspects you’re excited about?

What I’m most looking forward to about the Festival de Datos is the exchange of ideas with such a diverse array of perspectives. There are so many sessions that I want to attend that tackle issues about inclusion and accessibility from the use of participative data in urban governance to storytelling, art and communication in social media, and the use of data in climate justice.

I am also very excited about the other session Restless Development is leading on, ‘What is the future of young people’s rights in the digital world?’

 

The Government of Zanzibar has taken a bold, data-driven approach to address the issue of gender-based violence (GBV). Recognizing that violence against women and children is pervasive, but not inevitable, Zanzibar has prioritized the collection of timely (monthly) and accurate data to understand the scale of the problem and drive targeted interventions.

Uncovering the scale of GBV

To shed light on the extent of GBV, Office of the Chief Government Statistician Zanzibar (OCGS) began producing and disseminating comprehensive GBV data from 2020. This marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time such data was available to provide valuable insights on the scale of the issue. In 2020, the number of GBV incidents reported to the police was 1,363; in 2021, 1,222 incidents were reported, and in 2022, this figure was 1,360.

As an Inclusive Data Charter (IDC) Champion, OCGS formulated and implemented an action plan to build its capacity, coordination, and dissemination of gender data, with a specific focus on crime statistics for GBV reporting.

“Timely, accurate data is critical to addressing gender-based violence in Zanzibar because we need to understand the scale of the issue, and exactly who is most affected, where, and for what reasons,” says Salum Kassim Ali, Chief Government Statistician. “Data also helps us to communicate this issue in a different way, which is essential to tackling the stigma and social tolerance around violence.”

Putting data into context

The Government in Zanzibar also recognizes that GBV data is complicated and doesn’t paint the full picture alone. Underreporting of cases through the official channels remains a concern that calls into question the accuracy and completeness of the data. Drawing conclusions with data alone is complicated as the same data set can tell many stories – for example, rising numbers of GBV cases could indicate increased awareness and willingness to report cases, or this could reflect an actual increase in the number of cases. So it’s critical that GBV data is contextualized with expert opinions and community reflections. Equally, there’s recognition that data points can be off-putting unless there’s a concerted effort to build people’s skills and confidence to understand and use them.

The Government of Zanzibar has taken an integrated approach involving local leaders (Sheha), civil society, UN agencies, and the media, using data, community engagement, and other interventions to raise awareness and shift social expectations and tolerance around GBV. Ultimately, data is an important but complex piece of the puzzle.

Part of OCGS’ monthly release is a complex communications strategy ensuring that the data released is disseminated to those who need it most. Monthly press conferences allow journalists to get the latest information on GBV data and have their questions answered by those compiling the figures, ensuring a transparent and accountable process. This has also led to a positive feedback loop by which OCGS is now invited to participate in more public events on the topic, for example the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This cycle is ensuring that GBV remains high on the agenda in Zanzibar, but the inclusion of OCGS guarantees that data is at the heart of those conversations.

Community members have become aware that OCGS is producing a report on a monthly basis and so, most of them are very curious to know how many cases have happened.

- Zaina Salum Abdulla, Tanzania Media Women’s Association

Strengthening public awareness and engagement

OCGS’ willingness to participate in public dialogue on the subject is contributing to increased trust throughout the crime reporting process, from reporting to police through to conviction rates being published. With an issue like GBV, where underreporting is a key concern due to a perceived lack of justice from the general public, building this trust in state institutions is a vital part of alleviating the wider problem.

Journalists and the wider media are also playing their part in engaging the wider public on the issue. Alongside reporting on the monthly statistical outputs, some media-based civil society groups have taken their own steps towards improving community engagement on GBV.

Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) has carried out community sensitisation activities including workshops through its grassroots networks. These sessions offer an opportunity to raise the profile of GBV at the local level, and ensure that citizens know their rights. The organization also offers a platform for survivors to report crimes where they might not otherwise be able to through official channels.

Building a clearer picture

This puts TAMWA in a position to compare the data collected at the grassroots level to that which is published monthly by OCGS. Sometimes the figures align, but often there are discrepancies highlighting that there is still a way to go to overcome the underreporting of GBV in Zanzibar. TAMWA provides its data to OCGS to help improve official reporting processes, however, as seen in many instances globally there are challenges with incorporating non-official data into official reporting systems.

In the case of GBV, prevention is better than treatment, so these grassroots movements play a key role in both sensitizing the public to the issue and their rights around it, but also in creating more data to better inform how official indicators and actions are measuring up in practice.

Data literacy, however, remains a challenge. Part of TAMWA’s work involved training young media fellows on issues of GBV. This network of young journalists covers all of Zanzibar, enabling them to make targeted action to ensure follow-ups on reported stories. This approach is being used to try to ensure that each reported case receives justice through official processes.

Organizations like TAMWA play an important role in joining up the dots between official actions on GBV and those happening at the local level. TAMWA ensures that its work through the grassroots network is fed up to the national GBV Network. Through this work, TAMWA has helped officials to review policies and legislation affecting women’s and children’s rights around GBV. On the opposite side of the coin, TAMWA is using its media network, including access to local radio and television, to ensure that the latest situation is disseminated to the public across Tanzania.

Improving data collection and sharing

One notable achievement is the close collaboration between OCGS and the police commissioner to turn the paper-based incident reports into monthly GBV data releases. This close collaboration has not only facilitated data sharing, it has also supported the police in their efforts to digitize incident reporting. Equally, it has increased recognition about the importance of good quality data entry when it comes to completing incident reports.  

“People don’t join the police expecting to be data collectors, but it is actually an incredibly important part of the job”, says Mathias Manyanza, Assistant Inspector. “Recently, many more police officers have come to understand that data is an important tool for preventing violence. We are recognizing and embracing our responsibility to generate quality data alongside OCGS. There is much to do to ensure communities know they can come forward to report GBV incidents, and when they do, that they are always taken seriously and a case is reported, but we are heading in the right direction.”

Shifting policies and practices

The efforts on data follow a long-term approach to advance more gender responsive policing in Zanzibar, with the introduction of gender desks in police stations, staffed by dedicated, specially trained detectives to handle incidents concerning women and children.

OCGS’ monthly data releases show not only the number of cases reported, but track cases all the way to the number of convictions. This helps increase transparency around the rate of conviction. While conviction rates remain low, in recent years, there have been several legislation changes in Zanzibar including setting up a special GBV court and speeding up trials involving sexual offenses, demonstrating the government’s commitment to effectively addressing the issue.

Building political will

The impact of Zanzibar's data-driven approach is evident across different ministries. The OCGS releases have galvanized interest and awareness of data across ministries, with several now having their own strategies in place to help tackle GBV. 

Perhaps the best example of this movement across government can be seen in the Ministry for Education. The figures from OCGS suggest that GBV disproportionately affects children in Zanzibar, where in October 2022 85 percent of reported incidents involve children and teenagers. This is different to the story across the rest of Tanzania, where GBV tends to affect adults. The Ministry has therefore moved to include GBV within its integrated guidelines for teaching. These guidelines are the foundation on which the curriculum and teacher training is based. The result is that the issue of GBV is now being taught to children across Zanzibar, giving them a better understanding of their rights. 

Conclusion

The work on improving data is just a small part of a growing movement within Zanzibar to end gender-based violence. It is part of a wider national dialogue on the topic, involving both state and non-state actors. The progress seen is a step in the direction towards a Zanzibar free from GBV, but there is still a long way to go. The national commitment to solving a problem has enabled a collective approach involving vastly different stakeholders; from the police to the public, line ministries to the media, each is playing their part in eradicating GBV. The government’s commitment to the IDC and OCGS’s leadership in utilizing statistics to address GBV also highlights the pivotal role of the NSO in tackling national priorities.

There are still areas where improvements are needed, data literacy and use are key examples, especially with the breadth of actors involved. Nevertheless, what is very clear from the progress to date is that data is a vital piece of the puzzle, sitting alongside other interventions to address GBV. OCGS has shown exceptional leadership on this front, being front and center of the progress to date. This highlights the key role that national statistics institutes can play in policy reform on national priorities like GBV. 

OCGS has been committed to the Inclusive Data Charter since 2020. In 2023, the organization plans to review the progress made against its current action plan with the view to expand that set of inclusive data priorities in 2024.

In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, a pandemic and other unprecedented global challenges, ongoing learning is essential for personal and professional growth. This holds especially true for the data for development community, where the thirst for knowledge has seen an extraordinary surge over the past few years. As this demand for learning increases, the need to tailor these opportunities to the preferences and challenges of learners is paramount. 

A report about how we learn

Enter Data for Development Learning Audience – Understanding Preferences to Improve Learning Offers: a research product featuring the collective insights of our Global Partnership network to explore how learners engage with learning experiences and the challenges they encounter.

This research draws on an extensive desk review and qualitative primary research involving 50+ network partners, including individuals and organizations from different countries, sectors, and continents. Our diverse range of participants includes representatives from the private sector, civil society organizations, governments, academia, and multilateral organizations.

What we discovered 

• The value of learning within the data for development community is indisputable. Learning experiences span a wide spectrum, encompassing not just traditional education but also activities such as advocacy meetings that contribute to skill enhancement, knowledge growth, and network expansion.

• The motivations behind engaging in learning activities are equally diverse, and are influenced by a learner’s career stage, the maturity of their data ecosystem, and even geographic location. 

• The pursuit of solutions to professional needs remains a central driving force, with learners seeking new perspectives, practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and tangible outcomes from their learning activities.

Opportunities to innovate

While the benefits of learning are abundant, challenges and trade-offs inevitably emerge. Time constraints, language barriers, relevance and quality of learning resources, as well as costs are common hurdles faced by learners. However, amid these challenges lies a world of opportunity. The study uncovers the potential for innovative approaches that enhance interaction, engagement, and focus on both in-person and digital learning settings.

At the end of the report, you’ll find a comprehensive roadmap for designing learning platforms that truly resonate with the data for development audience. The recommendations emphasize accessibility, user-friendliness, participatory engagement, and peer interaction as cornerstones for effective learning experiences. These insights pave the way for the creation of platforms that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of learners, while also addressing the challenges that might hinder their journey.

Join us as we seek to convene and create inclusive and accessible learning experiences for learners in the data for development field.

Download a copy of the research here.

If you'd like to learn more or collaborate with us to shape the future of learning, email Charu Vijayakumar, Director of Impact and Learning cvijayakumar@data4sdgs.org and Lesley-Ann Blackburn, Learning Manager lblackburn@data4sdgs.org 

From its digital and data innovation to frictionless travel for festival attendees, Uruguay has much to offer (and inspire) the data for development community.

Here’s a look at why the country was the ideal home for our second data festival.

A leader on data and digital connectivity

Uruguay has a long history of using data and technology to drive progress, create better services and develop a highly skilled, digitally-savvy population. In the 1960s, Uruguay became the first country in the region to introduce a computer sciences degree, just two years after MIT. In 2007, the country launched its transformational Plan Ceibal to build digital skills and inclusion, with a mission to give every child in primary and secondary education a laptop.

Today, Uruguay is fast gaining a reputation as an entrepreneurial hub, with a growing number of data-powered technologies, start-ups, and fintechs creating new opportunities for citizens.

The country’s investment in infrastructure has resulted in widespread connectivity across the nation, with a telecommunications network that is 100 percent digital, a fiber-optic network that reaches 85 percent of homes, and one of the highest internet adoption rates in Latin America. This helped Uruguay to launch a fully digitized census earlier this year, enabling more efficient, accurate, and sustainable data collection. More than 51 percent of households had completed the census online before the traditional process of face-to-face interviews began, marking one of the highest digital response rates in the region.

This leap forward will significantly improve the data that underpins decision-making, helping to inform policy over the next decade.

A beautiful and progressive country

Uruguay is a long-standing democracy, known for its stability as much as its strides towards digital inclusion, and has been a member of the group of most digitally advanced countries, the Digital Nations, since 2018. The Government of Uruguay is providing exclusive visa-less access to our delegates and has pledged to include youth and representatives from all counties at the event.

The Festival de Datos will take place in Punta del Este, a beautiful coastal town and popular tourist destination, famous for its seafood, art, and culture. The convention center is around a two-hour drive east of the capital, Montevideo – a historic, walkable city you won’t want to miss, with plenty of cafés and squares to explore.

The festival wraps up on Thursday, November 9, allowing ample opportunity to explore the region further for those wishing to extend their trip for the long weekend.

From promise to action

The Festival de Datos is one of a number of exciting events and initiatives taking place for the data community across Uruguay and South America in the coming months.

Our festival follows the Statistical Conference of the Americas (SCA) in Santiago, Chile on September 26-28, offering a chance to continue key discussions with the wider data community, such as how to unlock non-traditional data sources for the good of society.

In Uruguay, Abre Latam, an annual regional event focused on open data, will be held in Montevideo from October 31 to November 3. Our events will run back-to-back, helping to put the value of data in the spotlight across the nation.

Those looking to stay a little longer can also join us for the UN datathon in Montevideo from November 3-6 in the lead up to the festival. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute solutions to the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Festival de Datos itself is focused on participation, with plenty of opportunities to get involved and share your ideas through lightning talks, simulations, and networking. Attendees will also have the chance to view the shortlisted entries from our data visualization contest in the conference center lobby.

Building on the launch of our High Impact Initiative on the Power of Data at the UN Headquarters in New York earlier this month where we announced several national data partnerships, we want to keep the momentum going and foster collaboration through action, not just words. We’re looking forward to convening organizations across the region and beyond who are champions of Data Values and the Inclusive Data Charter, and of course our amazing partner network.

We’ll also be announcing the host country of our next data festival in Africa at the closing ceremony. Stay tuned for the details!

Want to know more about what a data festival looks like?

Watch the video from our first Data for Development Festival, which took place in Bristol in the UK in 2018.

The Festival de Datos will take place in Punta del Este, Uruguay on 7-9 November, 2023. Find out more about the festival experience and get your tickets here. This event is organized by the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and hosted by the Government of Uruguay, spearheaded by the national statistical office, Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE).

Celebrating a year of campaign activities, we reflect on key moments this past year. From community growth, to global convening to instrumental action taken by partners, we are closer to achieving a fairer data future. In this post, we're excited to bring you insights from five remarkable partners who share firsthand how Data Values has shaped and impacted their work. But don't stop there—join us and others for an upcoming Data Values community event and celebration this October.

As technology and digital platforms continue to advance, data is increasingly central. However, many individuals are left out of data entirely, while others face unintended consequences of being included. This is deepening inequalities, and we must confront these challenges head-on to rebalance power dynamics within data.

The Data Values campaign does just that. By uniting hundreds of individuals and organizations from around the world, who are all dedicated to challenging power dynamics within data, we are collectively fighting the existing imbalance. The campaign is a collective effort to transform every aspect of data - from collection to funding, management, and use - ensuring equitable benefits for all.

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the Data Values campaign, we stand on the precipice of remarkable achievements —and we're excited to look back at the incredible moments we've had, the collective impact we've made, and the future action that awaits. Join us on October 3, 2023, at 9am ET / 2pm BST/ 4pm EAT / 6.30pm IST to commemorate year one of the campaign and to share your ideas and insights on what the next phase of the Data Values movement should address and confront.

So what have we achieved in the past 12 months? 

 

We’ve built a community 

 

The Data Values campaign has more than 600 individuals and organizations from over 100 countries, forming a global network of allies and advocates, all pushing for a fairer data future. We've gathered the community virtually to have open discussions about various aspects of the Data Values Manifesto. These gatherings serve as platforms for the movement to come together, discuss, and plan positive actions. We're not just talking; we're taking concrete steps to change how data is funded, designed, managed, and used for the better.

 

We’ve engaged with global communities

 

We've hosted sessions at six global events, including the UN ESCAP’s Stats Cafe, World Data Forum, Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum, and RightsCon. These events have given us the opportunity to share the Data Values Manifesto with diverse audiences, expanding our reach and impact. We've also hosted meetings and workshops with national governments and institutions in places like Costa Rica and Botswana and introduced them to the importance of data values as well as initiating conversations about adopting the manifesto in their own country plans and objectives. This month, the Global Partnership’s Power of Data High Impact Initiative that was launched at the UN Headquarters during the SDG Summit saw 15 governments announce national data partnerships to drive investments in data systems and to use data ethically and effectively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

We’ve launched innovative programs 

 

First, the Data Values Advocates Program, a group of seven grassroots activists from around the world leading action and tackling data inequalities. They're the boots on the ground, championing data values within their communities. Additionally, in the spring of 2023, we introduced the Fairer Data Future Award Program, providing small grants to organizations pushing for a more equitable data future. Participants in both programs arrange workshops, training sessions, events, and social media campaigns to amplify underrepresented voices and advocate for fair, transparent, and responsible data systems. As these programs are nearing completion, we're excited to showcase the impact they've made at Festival de Datos this November. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates as we continue this incredible journey toward a fairer data future for all.

 

We’ve worked with a network of partners to institutionalize data values 

 

Taking the lead in promoting and implementing data values are institutions and organizations like National Administrative Department of Statistics of Columbia, Joint IDP Profiling Services, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. They've met with officials and government stakeholders to start conversations and even organized events and workshops for national statistical offices, civil society and others to discuss and implement the manifesto. Some partners have created engaging content, like interactive story maps, to drive our collective message home. 

 

To capture the myriad of actions and impacts the Data Values campaign has had in the past 12 months, we asked partners to share actions or activities to bring to life what they’ve undertaken to support the campaign or contribute to a more equitable data future for all. 

 

Here are five organizations whose actions have created more equitable data systems and practices:

 

1. Data4Change, United Kingdom 

 

 

Empowering marginalized communities through data literacy and confidence

 

By: Bronwen Robertson, Co-Founder 

 

Over the past year, Data4Change has deepened its collaboration with community partners, spanning 178 refugee-led organizations, 8 LGBTQI rights groups, and 60 human rights organizations across 48 countries. In a world where the power of data is so often stripped away from vulnerable communities, our approach focuses on supporting communities to reclaim their data and to amplify their stories. 

 

To break down barriers from language to internet access, we've translated our self-study curriculum into Spanish and Arabic and we’ve addressed accessibility hurdles like confidence using technology and financial barriers with small grants and stipends. We work alongside communities to co-design data collection that respects their voices, whether it's through art projects or community-guided surveys, replacing traditional extractive data practices with participatory models. In line with the Data Values campaign, our efforts are aimed at democratizing and humanizing data. 

 

Additionally, we were drawn to the Data Values campaign for its emphasis on community and the social aspect of data. Data should serve people, not systems, and collaboration is the key to a fairer data future. At Data4Change we have created an interactive tool called Dot the Bot to introduce people to working with data and inspire them with its potential. At the end of the chat, participants are invited to set a learning intention. These intentions highlight the vital role of community empowerment in using data to create and inform equitable, effective, advocacy:

 

“My intention is to inspire positive change”; “I'm excited to make data handling lively and fun”; “My goal is to give hope to myself”; “I aim to use data for meaningful participation”; “I seek to raise awareness on global issues using data”.

 

2. Youth For Privacy, United States and South Korea 

 

 

Placing youth at the center of data and data values 

 

By: Joon Baek, Co-Founder 

 

Youth for Privacy has been actively engaged in supporting the Data Values campaign over the past year through a series of impactful actions and activities. Our biggest event for the campaign is the Data Values Bootcamp. The Data Values Bootcamp was a dynamic three-day event that brought together 50 participants from eighteen countries, spanning major continents. The bootcamp featured expert talks, workshops, panels, and networking opportunities, all designed to empower attendees with knowledge and skills in data, privacy, and responsible technology. 

 

Participants left the bootcamp equipped with knowledge and practical skills, with a significant percentage indicating their readiness to initiate conversations about data values and advocate for responsible data handling in their communities. Additionally, the bootcamp kicked off a discussion about data values online, with over 5,000 views on Twitter and 545 likes on LinkedIn about posts regarding the bootcamp by the participants.

 

Youth for Privacy has worked in the intersection of youth, technology, and effective policy making for the past two years. During our time, we hosted numerous workshops in-person educating young people about effective youth data advocacy. When we learned about the Data Values campaign and manifesto, we incorporated them into our curriculum. Specifically, we have a section in the workshop where we ask young people to formulate how they want their data to be handled. 

 

From what we have seen, the Data Values campaign is effective in articulating the normative framework on how data should be used. A group of college students in Buenos Aires might have radically different experiences with technology as a group of high school students in South Korea and working professionals in New York, but they and a lot of other groups all agreed that the five Data Values “reflect their values.” The Data Values are an effective tool in gaining ground truth to start conversations on data.

 

3. Aapti Institute, India 

 

 

Exploring accountable and transparent data governance 

 

By: Suha Mohamed, Senior Partnerships Manager 

 

Since its inception, Aapti Institute has launched a series of initiatives through various streams of work to support emerging stewards (non-profits, data cooperatives, collectives), and explore how data can be better governed. 

 

In partnership with Data2x, Aapti spearheaded a first of its kind initiative to establish ‘Data Co-ops in Action – a network of support’ for gender data cooperatives. The incubator supports the growth of nascent women’s data cooperatives through grants and in-kind support. This work has led to engaging with 3 global grassroots organizations to help them set up a data layer and transition to being a data cooperative.

 

In collaboration with Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation, Aapti has enabled 3 global non-profits through a data governance accelerator, guiding them to create organizational roadmaps and aligning on activities to support the responsible stewardship of data.

 

To promote participatory governance of platform work, Aapti has successfully spearheaded Uber India’s Driver Advisory Council (DAC), where 6 in-person sessions have been convened with over 60 drivers across 9 cities in India. As an outcome of these sessions, a number of features including improvements on payment cycles have been built out for transparency and to facilitate ease of use for drivers. The DAC is in the second year of its operations and is considering questions around social security for platform workers as a part of its renewed scope.

 

Building awareness around the unique value that data holds for various individuals and communities globally is crucial to just and equitable data futures, and needs to be a collaborative effort. We need platforms that don’t just accommodate these diverse viewpoints but encourage stakeholders from the public and private sectors to support their translation into practice. The data values campaign provides an ideal space to unpack how lived realities can be transformed into equitable and responsible practices that power brokers, policymakers and practitioners in the data economy can advocate for. 

 

4. University of Costa Rica - Innovaap, Costa Rica

 

 

Institutionalizing and promoting data values in academia

 

By: Allison Quesada Aguero, Coordinator

 

At Innovaap-University of Costa Rica (Innovaap-UCR), we have hosted events involving public officials from 12 public organizations. These events aim to raise awareness about the significance of data in decision-making, utilizing the vast calls to action from the manifesto as a practical tool. Moreover, at Innovaap-UCR, we are dedicated to fostering the development of young individuals who will be future decision-makers. We aim to instill in them the perception of data as an essential work tool for achieving equity in accessing public goods and services.

 

Considering our roles as individuals within an academic environment like the university, we leverage the trust and relationships established with society and organizations to construct bridges that facilitate collaborative efforts. This involves dispelling misconceptions that hinder the sharing or generation of data collectively.

 

5. Connected by Data, United Kingdom 

 

 

Tracking how data is shared, governed, and used for global public good

 

By: Tim Davies, Research and Practice Director

 

At Connected by Data, we’ve been delighted to work on research into measuring data values with the Data Values Project, the Global Data Barometer and the International Development Research Centre. Through this, we've had the opportunity to look at the role that existing indicator data can play in supporting advocacy for data values, and to think about the kinds of global indicators that would be useful to track progress towards a global norm of participatory data governance.  

 

Our work is all about giving communities a more powerful voice in how data is governed, and we were able to bring together an international group alongside RightsCon, with involvement from the Data Values Project, to explore common advocacy agendas for more collective and participatory approaches to data governance.  In the UK we've been focussed on supporting civil society to organize around the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, and building stronger narratives that make clear why it is important for communities to have a say in how data works, including creating this video.

 

The Data Values campaign provides a strong shared vision; linking local campaigns and efforts into a global movement. We hope that the Data Values campaign continues to lead on the creation of a global norm of participatory data governance: establishing a robust principle that whenever decisions are made that shape data, the communities affected by those decisions should be at the table. A unifying campaign also helps us share learning on what works: having honest critical conversations about the kinds of strategies that can deliver real change.

 

6. Lifeline Empowerment Center, Uganda 

 

 

A data driven approach to enhance community collaboration 

 

By: Eric Ndawula, Executive Director 

 

Lifeline Empowerment, as a nascent organization, has embarked on a transformative journey to instill a data-driven approach into its operations. Recognizing the need for collaboration, we initiated our "Iterambera" program, collaborating with various organizations to share our data expertise spanning data collection, analysis, governance, and integrity. Our affiliation with Data4Change's Sankeys Fellowship has significantly enhanced our capabilities in this endeavor. 

 

The Data Values Manifesto, instrumental in altering organizational perspectives on data, serves as a cornerstone in our engagements with diverse organization leaders. Over the past year, we have partnered with seven organizations, witnessing firsthand the transformative potential of data comprehension for Ugandan communities. Most notably, we have observed organizational shifts toward data-driven and evidence-based project and program design.

 

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the Data Values campaign, it's clear that significant progress has been made towards achieving a fairer data future. The community has grown, partnerships have been strengthened, and innovative programs have been launched. The contributions of organizations like Data4Change, Aapti Institute, Connected by Data, Youth for Privacy, Innovaap-UCR, and Lifeline Empowerment and beyond have been instrumental in promoting data values and creating a more equitable data landscape. Together, we can continue pushing for positive change and ensure that data serves people and empowers communities.

 

Don’t forget to join us on October 3, 2023, at 9 am ET to commemorate year one of the campaign. Register now!

 

Better data will be critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Unlocking new data sources and technologies requires fresh thinking, new partnerships, and a substantial boost in investment from governments and organizations around the world.

At the SDG Action Weekend on Sunday 17 September 2023, we convened a fantastic array of speakers at the United Nations Headquarters, ahead of the General Assembly, to launch the High Impact Initiative on the Power of Data. We are now calling on world leaders to come together to invest in better data for development and deliver the SDGs. 

Speakers included Ashley Judd, Actor and Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA; Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the UN; Dr. Mo Ibrahim, founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation; H.E. Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister of International Development; officials from all over the world; senior figures from NVIDIA and Microsoft; NGOs; youth advocates; and Dr. Claire Melamed, Global Partnership CEO. Watch the event recording here.

Data on the surface is reports and numbers that get blurry late at night…but really it is about individual lives. Each digit represents a heartbeat, the need for relief from suffering and inequality and hope.

- Ashley Judd, Actor and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador

What is the High Impact Initiative on the Power of Data?

The goal of the High Impact Initiative is to unlock the data dividend to drive progress on the SDGs. Recent research shows an average return of $32 for every $1 invested in strengthening data systems in low and middle income countries.

The plan is to have 30 national data partnerships by September 2024, and 50 by 2030. This will happen in partnership with national governments and with significant financial and other support from donor countries, the UN system, foundations, tech companies, civil society and others. We will capitalize on global summits including the Summit for the Future and the World Data Forum to build momentum.

Everyone has a role to play.

Better data is the indispensable scaffolding that supports progress across all the SDGs.

- Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General

Key announcements
 

Cutting-edge national data partnerships

At the heart of the High Impact Initiative is the launch and support of cutting edge national data partnerships, announced by an initial group of 15 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Europe. These partnerships – driven by strong political leadership at a national level – will bring together governments, tech companies, civil society, donors and others to use data ethically to revolutionize decision making, accelerate digital transformation, and drive new economic opportunities for a more equal and sustainable world.

Donor funding

Andrew Mitchell, the UK Minister of International Development, announced funding of over $7.5 million to help the international community scale up its support for national data partnerships.

Global NGOs rally support

Leading global NGOs have united in support of the Power of Data initiative, underscoring its importance on the global stage and calling upon all nations to endorse and participate in this transformative effort. 30 organizations have signed our letter of support for the High Impact Initiative so far, including the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Christian Aid, Open Data Watch, Paris21, Save the Children, CIVICUS, Cepei, World Wide Web Foundation, Open Data Institute, and many others.

When you talk about SDGs I think about Sound Data for Governance – it saves a lot of money and effort and will tell us what works and what doesn’t.

- Dr. Mo Ibrahim, founder and chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Get in touch and stay involved 

If you are a minister, official, or represent a country looking to launch or support national data partnerships and would like to find out more, please contact Jenna Slotin at: jslotin@data4sdgs.org

If you are from a donor country, the UN system, a foundation, a tech or other company, or civil society and would like to find out more about how you can support the national data partnerships please contact Florencia Edgina at: fedgina@data4sdgs.org

Watch our launch video

 

A message of support from the European Commission