This monthly resource list puts together content including a reading list, avenues for capacity building, and events from different stakeholders across the globe on the use of (open)data and for better service delivery in sectors such as Agriculture, Education, and Health.
Reading List
Trends in national Data Ecosystems in times of Covid-19
Just as data is critical for effective policymaking in more “normal” times, good data is necessary for policymakers trying to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep people safe. Claire Melamed, CEO, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, and Francesca Perucci, Assistant Director, United Nations Statistics Division explore three trends among the public, politicians, and statisticians that can pave the way for a post-COVID world that is built with good evidence and information.
Why Covid-19 means data sharing is more important than ever
In times of intense upheaval, the need to be adaptable and innovate rapidly is even more vital. Stuart Coleman, ODI’s Business Development Director, discusses why Covid-19 means data sharing is more important than ever.
Rwanda launches births, deaths registration in all hospitals
African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day (Africa CRVS day) is celebrated every year on August 10 to increase public awareness of the importance of making everyone visible in Africa through a well-functioning civil registration and vital statistics system covering the entire population and all vital events occurring in a country. James Karuhanga reports on how Rwanda marked the third Africa CRVS day.
Data-Driven Collective Action Is Imperative For A Post-Covid-19 Development Agenda
Deepali Khanna, the Managing Director of The Rockefeller Foundation in Asia, demonstrates that for data and technology to truly transform the welfare landscape, there are many underlying capacities, cultural and infrastructural issues that we collectively have to resolve in order to pave a runway for data and technology innovations in the world of social impact.
Data in the time of COVID-19: Open data, data use, and COVID-19
The Open Data Watch has put together some of the most helpful articles to address the need for data-driven decision making during the Covid-19 pandemic. The articles are organized by the stages of the data value chain: availability, openness, dissemination, and use and uptake.
A global effort to track data for public good
What does the global effort to track data for public good look like? Open Data Charter shares insights from the Global Data Barometer.
COVID-19 shows that the DRC must invest in a health research industry
You would expect that with DRC’s experience of dealing with infectious diseases over the past four decades its institutions would be equipped to spontaneously develop and perform surveillance and testing. You would also expect that those institutions would rely on research to take evidence-based measures. This has not been the case. Dacquin M.Kasumba, Associate Professor, University of Kinshasa addresses what needs to be done.
Using Evidence in Policy and Practice|Lessons from Africa
In spite of the rhetoric around the importance of evidence, use of evidence for policy and practice remains challenging and somewhat elusive. Ian Goldman and Mine Pabari address the need of applying evidence-based policy making to achieve positive change by African governments.
Upcoming Events
The UN World Data Forum (19-21 October 2020) will host representatives from governments, businesses, civil society and the scientific and academic communities to explore innovative ways to apply data and statistics to measure global progress and inform evidence-based policy decisions on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
3rd International Conference on AI & Big Data, Copenhagen, Denmark provides a platform to gain knowledge and share new ideas amongst the Technologist, Professionals, Industrialists, Researchers,
ODI Summit 2020(10-13 Nov 2020): Data | Futures
The Summit will focus on how humanity can harness the power of data in a changing world. Tue,
The AI Expo is Africa’s largest trade-focused AI, Robotic Process Automation and Data Science business conference
Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2020 (FIFAFRICA20)
This landmark event convenes a spectrum of stakeholders from across the internet governance and digital rights arenas in Africa and beyond to deliberate on gaps, concerns and opportunities for advancing privacy, free expression, non-discrimination and the free flow of information online.
Webinars
This monthly webinar brings together experts, upcoming actors, and newcomers to share experiences and collaborate to improve use and quality of open data by and for Africa.
Available Courses/Training
Communicating gender statistics for gender equality
This course on Communicating Gender Statistics is designed to guide journalists and statisticians to use statistics to report on the unique situation and needs of women and men.
Open Data for Policy Makers- World Bank
This course is primarily intended for public policymakers in governments that are considering the establishment or expansion of an Open Data program. It assumes no prior knowledge of Open Data or technical skills.
Africa Data School Training October Intake
Africa Data School Training is an intensive 12-week program, offering courses in Data Science, Machine Learning, Deep learning, Natural Language Programming, Big Data and Computer Visions.
