UN World Data Forum 2024 highlights: The power of data through partnerships

This week, the global development and data community converges for the fifth United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) in Medellín, Colombia. Ahead of the opening of the Forum, on November 11 and 12, the Global Partnership took the opportunity to gather partners and network members for several convenings, learning exchanges, networking, and discussions on innovation, challenges, and the future of data and AI in development. These events united hundreds of experts, practitioners, and Data Values Advocates to engage on the power of data and partnerships. Here’s a look back at the highlights:

Citizen Data Learning Exchange workshop

The week kicked off on Monday with the Citizen Data Learning Exchange workshop, in collaboration with Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE, for its acronym in Spanish), the Pontifical Bolivarian University, the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia (APC Colombia, for its acronym in Spanish), the International Civil Society Centre (ICSC), and the Collaborative on Citizen Data at the Pontifical Bolivarian University. 

Bringing together representatives from National Statistical Offices, government ministries, academic institutions, civil society, and international organizations, the workshop highlighted the importance of citizen data in complementing traditional data sources. Participants shared knowledge, and engaged in meaningful discussions about best practices, the Copenhagen Framework for Citizen Data, and potential pathways for further collaboration.

The Copenhagen Framework has inspired us to enable a system of data collection that engages citizens. 
- Julieth Solano, DANE Colombia 

The workshop’s discussions delved into real-world challenges, such as engaging citizens in data processes, amplifying diverse voices, and establishing actionable frameworks for collaboration across sectors. The energy and commitment from participants underscored the momentum behind citizen data as a critical element in fulfilling the Leave No One Behind agenda.

Data Values Advocates workshop

Meanwhile, across the University campus, the 2024 Data Values Advocates were honing some new skills in data vizualization in a training session facilitated by Bronwen Robertson from Data4Change. The workshop offered an excellent opportunity to bring together the advocates to connect in person, network with the wider data for development community, and share their learning and experiences from their projects. 

The Advocates learned about the value of data visualization and how best to utilize it for their advocacy, and immediately applied their new knowledge with practical activities utilizing tools such as DataWrapper and Google Sites. By the end of the day, the Advocates had begun to create sites summarizing the work they have achieved through the Advocates program. 

The afternoon rounded off with a discussion on how we at the Global Partnership can continue to support their data advocacy when their program finishes at the end of 2024. Check back soon to find out all about the inspiring projects they have been working on during this program.

One of the things I learned was to read the audience of my messages and data, and that there are so many creative ways of conveying data, stories and ideas! We just need to understand our audience and think outside the box. 
- María Paula Hernández Ruiz, Data Values Advocate

Want to know more about the Data Values Advocates program? We are inviting donors, activists, and local organizations to get involved in the program by sponsoring an Advocate. Read our blog for more details.

Make Inclusive Data the Norm (MIDN) workshop

On Tuesday the South-South exchange continued between Colombia, Ghana, and Kenya in the second edition of the Make Inclusive Data the Norm (MIDN) learning exchange workshops. This discussion focused on the importance of inclusive data as a foundation for sustainable development building upon the first edition held in Nairobi in April, 2024. Representatives from each country shared insights on their appraoches on advancing disaggregated data, citizen engagement, and advocacy for inclusive policies.

It’s critical to be able to showcase what [citizen data] models work in communities whilst building capacity in the communities to be able to use the data themselves. - Florence Syevuo, SDG Kenya Forum

Colombia is in a strong position because the NSO is ahead of the game and leading the process in community engagement. 
- AI Kags, Executive Director, Open Institute

Through the unique fishbowl format, participants openly shared their challenges and successes in areas such as community engagement in data collection, quality control, and the policy impact of inclusive data. This collaborative exchange demonstrated the strength of South-South learning and left participants with actionable insights and a renewed commitment to inclusive data practices.

The power of partnerships for measuring inclusive development and implementing inclusive AI

In the spirit of collaboration, the Global Partnership and APC Colombia co-hosted a partner lunch and panel discussion on November 12, focusing on the power of data through partnerships. This session brought together funders, government development agencies, and data practitioners to discuss inclusive development metrics, the ethical application of AI in data processes, and the role of partnership in driving data-driven solutions.

Partnership is central to the agenda of the World Data Forum, and is the reason why more than 3,000 people have traveled to Medellín this week to meet each other, learn from each other, and plan together. Partnership was hard wired in from the start. It’s 10 years since the World That Counts report was published, which set the stage for partnerships and led to the creation of both the World Data Forum and Global Partnership. 
- Claire Melamed, CEO of the Global Partnership

The lively discussions sparked by two engaging panels and a facilitated lunch conversation emphasized the need for diverse approaches to measuring development impact. The session underscored the Global Partnership’s commitment to fostering partnerships that build sustainable and inclusive data ecosystems.

AI plays an increasingly important role in this space; so it’s incumbent on us to lean into this to see how we can work smarter and better. AI is a tool, but can never replace the important role of decision makers. 
- Amaranta Villarreal, Agencia Uruguaya de Cooperación Internacional (AUCI)

If the data revolution doesn’t lead to a shift in power, it’s a failed revolution. Data is power. We need to empower communities and those parts of the world that don’t have power/information. 
- Jonathan Glennie, International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) 

The World Data Forum is now in full swing, and the Global Partnership will participate in several sessions, including a plenary session on effective partnerships for better data and a more equitable data ecosystem—learn more about our schedule here and watch the livestream of the plenary.