Be Better, Faster, Stronger - with data! : A Summary from the UN Data Forum pre-event.
On January 11th, ahead of the UN Data Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, I participated in the live Twitter chat held by Data4SDGs and the UN Data Forum team. The hour-long discussion on the importance of big data and the issues we are currently facing raised quite a few good points. We decided to summarize the key-points brought up by the participants of the chat.
The main focus was “better data for all”. The need for global statistics standards and accessible high-quality data arose very clearly from the discussion. Participants stressed that data can help achieve the social development goals but we must increase global collaboration on improving data collection and continuity. It was suggested that “capacity building must be home-grown, long-term, and generated and managed by those who benefit” in order to succeed. Combining our knowledge with the latest technological advances and big data analytics, we can take data to the next level.
“Mobility data helps understand where, when and how people move. Location is essential to targeting problem-areas as well.” @Positium
What resonated in the chat and in the afterthoughts of the UN Data Forum was concern of the general public. If raw data is presented to someone without proper training to analyze it, the world becomes more susceptible to false interpretations, which lead to false reactions. Data needs to reach everyone but in a professionally interpreted manner if we want to see changes. Data-literacy is essential if we wish to move forward.
“Mobile tech is the answer; it has the highest ability to reach the most people & have methods of encryption for privacy.” @CIPEglobal
It is important for data collection to be all-inclusive, making sure that “women, minorities and vulnerable groups are counted.” We want data to not leave anyone behind. For that we need a unified approach to data collection and methods, while keeping in mind the importance of personal privacy. The UN Data forum was a great opportunity for data scientists and other data-driven minds to come together and develop these ideas further. Now, how can we make the general public understand the necessity of high-quality data?
“'Don't just sit on the data: step up, share, empower' - inspiring end to the #UNDataForum ” @UNGlobalPulse
The topic of better data definitely sparked a conversation - #UNDataForum was trending in the UK during the live-chat on Twitter. The UN Data Forum took place in Cape Town, South Africa from 15 to 18 January 2017. You can find more information on what happened there at www.undataforum.org (including videos of sessions that took place)!