Open Data

A public goodfor the public good

A year ago we made data free, accessible, and searchable

We went from this

To this…

In five languages

With more datasets

Accessible on new platforms

With new possibilities for collecting data

Free for anyone to use

There is still more to be done

The vision …

“A health care worker… in a village with a mobile device…

can see what is happening to local health….

she can compare her village with others…

she can upload her own data…and mobilize the community to

demand better or more targeted health programs.”

Robert B. Zoellick, 2010, Washington DC

We need local and geo-coded data

We need more survey data

And administrative data

We need to improve data collection

And train and equip statisticians

There has been progress

Countries are making more data available

And access to data is improving

What’s next?

Open Data involves everyone

• Those who use the data: – the public, civil society, researchers, academics

• Those who produce the data: – Government bureaucrats, international agencies

• Those who set the policy: – support from the top

One example in Tanzania: Uwazi

Local involvement makes a difference

But many countries have weak statistical systems

What are the problems?

• Lack of: – clear mandate– trained staff– equipment – resources– a knowledgeable public

What more can we do together?

• Remember the vision– Broad access to data that can be used to improve

peoples lives

• There are opportunities for partnership in:– Improving data access, especially at local level– Capacity building– Innovation, new technology, and new methods for

collecting and using data

Thank you