November kicked off with the 8th meeting of the IAEG-SDGs in Stockholm, Sweden where a review of the classification of the SDG indicators and a discussion on progress for data disaggregation took place. This event was followed by the 7th Global Forum on Gender Statistics in Tokyo, Japan which further promoted the demand for better data disaggregation. ODW, PARIS21, and CEPEI also launched their webinar series: Beyond the Numbers: Harnessing Data for the SDGs and ODW continues to work towards finalizing the results from ODIN 2018 which will be released early next year.
November 2018
Contract for the Web (November)
The Web Foundation released a set of principles developed for governments, companies, and citizens around the world to help protect the open web as a public good and a basic right for everyone. (source)
Africa Data Revolution Report 2018 (November)
The Africa Data Revolution Report 2018 outlines the current state and recent evolution of Open Data – with an emphasis on Open Government Data – in the African data communities. It explores key countries across the continent, researches a wide range of open data initiatives and benefits from global thematic expertise. (source)
A Capability Maturity Model for the SDGs (November)
The United Nations University created a resource that aims to develop a Capability Maturity Model (CMM) towards strengthening the institutional capabilities of the National Statistics Offices (NSOs), as the national custodians of indicators data and the entities within the national data ecosystem responsible for monitoring progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (source)
Eighth meeting of the IAEG-SDGs (November)
This website outlines the objectives, updated tier classifications, and documents from the eighth meeting of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), which was held from November 5th to the 8th in Stockholm, Sweden. (source)
To make open data useful, cities must first understand citizens’ needs (November)
This article by Greg Jordan-Detamore, technologist for the Sunlight Foundation’s Open Cities Team, states that user research to ensure that open data programs are targeted toward community needs — then acting on the insights gained from that research — can help make open data a catalyst for action in communities. (source)
Data Access Archipelago: mapping the myriad ways we share data (11/2)
Jared Keller from the Open Data Institute writes that data holders have many ‘data access models’ for increasing access to the data they hold. These ‘models’ are basically the collection of procedures, mechanisms, agreements and structures that organizations can put in place to fashion a data access arrangement that suits their needs writes. (source)
The Case for the Web (11/3)
The “Case for the Web” report from the World Wide Web Foundation reflects on what the web has allowed humanity to accomplish over the past nearly 30 years, examines the current trends that threaten its future, and outlines actions we must take to reverse these trends and ensure that the web remains free and open for everyone. (source)
World Bank Opens 2017 Global Financial Inclusion Microdata (11/5)
This overview of the main findings from the World Bank’s 2017 Global Findex microdata provides insights into how billions of the world’s adults use bank accounts, mobile money, digital payments, savings, and credit. (source)
Gender data: Gaps are just the start of the conversation (11/8)
This article from Devex reporter, Lisa Cornish, outlines some of the major trends and initiatives around gender data for the Sustainable Development Goals. (source)
EU members provide boost for open data (11/9)
This report from the UK Authority reports that national representatives to the European Union have agreed on a position aimed at making public sector data easier and cheaper to re-use and extend the relevant rules to the transport and utilities sectors. (source)
Using big data and artificial intelligence to accelerate global development (11/15)
This paper from Jennifer L. Cohen and Homi Kharas argues that spatial disaggregation and timeliness could permit a process of evidence-based policy making that monitors outcomes and adjusts actions in a feedback loop that can accelerate development through learning. Big data and artificial intelligence are key elements in such a process. (source)
Webinar 1 | Capacity development in data and statistics: a waste of money? (11/16)
In their first webinar of their new series, PARIS21, CEPEI, and Open Data Watch presents a discussion about the successes and failures of past statistical capacity development initiatives and what new practices can be envisioned for the future. (source)
The dos and don’ts of data (11/23)
On this podcast episode from the Economist, a new pilot program by Britain’s Open Data Institute (ODI) and the municipal government of Greenwich outside London is discussed. The program will enable third parties to place their data into a system whereby they can be accessed by others under clear terms of use. (source)
Five key points from Africa Statistics Week in Uganda (11/23)
Bernard Sabiti of Development Initiatives outlines the major outcomes from the events for Africa Statistics Week held in Kampala, Uganda. (source)
Do Indices Move the Needle on Gender Equality? (11/26)
Writing for the Center for Global Development, Mayra Buvinic and Eleanor Carey of Data2X propose six basic rules that good indices should follow in order to promote gender equality. (source)
Reflections from IODC18 — Do We Need to Re-think International Conferences? (11/26)
These reflections from Open Heroine travel grantee, María Zilli, promote a more critical look at the open data movement’s achievements in terms of impact on people and communities. (source)