Timely, high-quality data is critical to reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — but harnessing it requires new ways of thinking, collaboration, and investment in national statistics systems. Learn more about what’s needed to catalyze data for real-world impact in this Nature article, featuring insights from TReNDS’ experts and partners.
Read MoreThe rapid global spread of COVID-19 has demanded that governments respond at breakneck speed to limit the human and economic costs of the crisis. And the scale of government response is unprecedented - a staggering 11 trillion USD in fiscal support provided by 55 countries in a matter of months – as is the demand for timely data to ensure that resources are targeted where they are most needed. Having accurate and timely data has become the foundation of a resilient and effective government, and national statistical systems are central to this. These systems have been placed under extreme pressure during the crisis. Temporary office closures and disruptions to operations and surveys have jeopardised dozens of statistical publications. Increased demand for new and more timely data on the impacts of the pandemic have stretched available resources. And pragmatic decisions have had to be made to reprioritise and redeploy staff and resources as well as to innovate to deliver new statistical products.
Read MoreCovid-19 has given rise to an enormous amount of data. Everything from satellite data and mobile data to big data are providing insights on how the virus is spreading and where vulnerable communities are located. Collaboration is essential for leveraging this data, and the pandemic has prompted an increase in data partnerships. However, many of these data collaborations are raising privacy and security concerns - there are at least 27 countries currently using data from cell phone companies to track entire populations for COVID-19 purposes, and we don’t know how long this will continue. The crisis has also underscored many of the barriers to collaboration, including the lengthy negotiation process for negotiating data sharing agreements (DSAs) and the lack of trust and accountability between parties that can arise. Establishing the right legal frameworks and policies for managing the data are key to overcoming these obstacles.
Read MoreTimes of crisis require difficult trade-offs between competing public interests. In the present instance with Covid-2019 raging around the world, trade-offs between fundamental human rights — the right to freedom of assembly, to liberty, and in some instances to due process — have to be balanced against the urgent collective need of society and countries around the world to flatten the curve of the virus’s spread.
Read MoreTReNDS hosted an expert discussion on data for development on the sidelines of the 51st session of the UN Statistical Commission. The breakfast event took place on 3 March 2020, and featured remarks by several experts from the TReNDS network. The discussion highlighted as a key issue the lack of data currently available on SDG indicators, saying significant gaps exist in data timeliness, represented geographies, and other factors.
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