Abstract

While working with non-traditional approaches brings in immense value in terms of capitalizing the mounds of available data, that is untapped, to deliver the information needed by local and national policy and decision makers, it also highlights multitude of challenges to utilize these approaches to the fullest. Utilizing data from non-traditional data sources, such as that collected from citizens, geospatial authorities, mobile operators, and/or private sector, means establishing unconventional partnerships, upskilling national staff and expanding their capabilities to use the data, incorporating the strengths of existing systems, and addressing other important elements including, privacy and quality concerns. In some cases, it also requires overcoming bottlenecks for collaboration and data sharing across government ministries, departments, and authorities. Also important is to keep the various users, including the civil society, engaged throughout the process to increase the uptake of data produced through these approaches in decision making.

In 2019, four core partners representing diverse data communities came together to launch a global initiative, Data For Now, to respond to the pressing data needs to inform national policy and decision-making for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Since the launch, the core partners have worked with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, to strengthen the capacity of national statistical systems to use innovative tools, methodologies, and non-traditional data for better, more timely and disaggregated data for sustainable development and to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

In this session, countries and partners will share experiences on the use of innovative approaches to address public policy issues. They will highlight the policy issue that needed to be addressed, how data produced through innovative approaches helped in providing a solution, what worked and what did not work in the process, and what can be done to overcome challenges.