October At A Glance
| Dear LDRI Community, This month has marked exciting milestones and progress for the Local Development Research Institute (LDRI) and our partners. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the second edition of the Global Data Barometer. A huge thank you to the many applicants from Sub-Saharan Africa who expressed interest in joining this research journey. We’re excited to share that our research team has been onboarded, and data collection is officially underway—an important step in our mission to advance data-driven solutions across the region. In this issue, you’ll also find insights from our collaboration with Nairobi County on air quality—a crucial component of urban resilience. Additionally, the 2024 Gender Index has just been released! How does Kenya fare on gender equality? We dive into this and more. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Read on to discover the latest updates and stories. |
| FEATURED THIS MONTH: |
| Accelerating the Private Sector’s Role in the SDG Data Revolution. In collaboration with the Centro de Pensamiento Estratégico Internacional (Cepei), the Local Development Research Institute (LDRI) is excited to share our ongoing work in strengthening data production and utilization for sustainable development across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Our latest project, “Accelerating the Private Sector’s Role in the SDG Data Revolution,” leads a community of practice (COP) uniting private sector and county officials in Nairobi to advance air quality initiatives. This COP has recently initiated an Air Quality Data Action Plan, which aims to enhance data accessibility and establish a resilient environmental data ecosystem within the City. Read More. |
| FROM THE BLOG |
The Second Edition Of The Global Data Barometer The Global Data Barometer (GDB) is a collaborative initiative designed to assess the state of data in addressing urgent societal issues. In partnership with regional hubs and thematic experts, the GDB evaluates data availability, governance, capability, and use globally. By focusing on areas such as climate action, corporate transparency, health (including COVID-19), land rights, political integrity, public finance, and procurement, the GDB aims to inform and strengthen data infrastructures that mitigate risks and prevent harm. Following the successful release of its first edition in 2022, which you can explore here, we are now working as part of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Hub on the second edition. Read More. |
| RESOURCES |
| SDSN TRENDS: The Achievements and Lessons of a Global Research Network on Data. In 2015 the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a special initiative of the UN Secretary General, established a new thematic network on data and statistics. The Thematic Research Network on Data and Statistics (TReNDS) aimed to convene leading data actors to discuss the power and potential of data to improve equitable progress on future Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to catalyze policy change by providing new insights from a wide variety of non-governmental data sources. Their latest report reflects on the network’s achievements and next steps. Read the report Open Institute: National Action Plan V: A Bold Leap Toward Transparency and Citizen-Driven Change Kenya has embarked on a transformative journey by launching the 5th National Action Plan (NAP V) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP). This is not just another policy initiative—it is a bold leap into a future where governance is transparent, inclusive, and powered by the people’s voices. The sheer ambition of this plan makes it clear that we are not merely aiming to improve governance but to redefine it. The visionary leadership of Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, Amb has fueled this achievement. Philip Thigo, and Ms. Caroline Gaita, the Executive Director of Mzalendo Trust, have worked tirelessly in the background to bring NAP V to life. Their dedication, alongside the invaluable contributions of many others, including our friends, Aidan Eyakuze, Executive Director of Twaweza East Africa , and Muchiri Nyaggah, the Founder of LDRI, exemplifies the power of collaboration. These leaders have paved the way for a new era of governance, one that is open, accountable, and rooted in the needs and aspirations of every Kenyan. Read more Equal Measures 2030: 2024 Gender Index: The 2024 SDG Gender Index is the most comprehensive global measure of gender equality. Developed by EM2030, it provides a snapshot of where the world stands on the vision of gender equality embedded in the 2030 Agenda. It is a multidimensional index, benchmarking gender equality across 139 countries (covering 96% of the world’s women and girls) and 56 issues across 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Download the full report here. Global Center On AI Governance: The Outsized Role of African Civil Society and Universities in Advancing Responsible AI Across Africa, civil society organizations working on AI are taking on an outsized role in advancing responsible AI practices despite facing significant challenges. This article presents findings from the Global Index on Responsible AI, showcasing the efforts of African civil society groups and academic institutions in the AI sector. We also examine these groups’ unique challenges in scaling their work and amplifying their impact. Read More |
| UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES/EVENT |
| MozFest House Zambia We are excited to share we will be participating in the Mozilla Festival 2024. This is an event where passionate individuals unite to build a better internet and demonstrate how we can reclaim the power of AI & technology for the collective well-being of people & planet. Starting from November 20th-21st, the festival will be happening in Lusaka Zambia. If this sounds like you, learn more about the event here and join us in shaping the future of the internet for the better. Get Your Ticket. Un World Data Forum The 5th Un World Data Forum will be happening in Medellin, Colombia from 12th-15th November. We are excited to share we will be participating. The UN World Data Forum aims to spur data innovation, nurture partnerships, mobilize high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development. In addition we have joined the #Commit2Data campaign, which aims to drive meaningful change through data. Together we can collectively address data gaps, enhance transparency, and promote inclusiveness by making data commitments. Read more about our commitment and how to collaborate with us here: https://lnkd.in/drPQBZek Have Something to Share? If you have any ideas for collaboration with us, or if you have any blog posts on Data, AI, or Primary health care, Gender, Agriculture and Open Government that you would like us to promote through our platform or any events, opportunities, research, or research projects you would like for us to share within our growing network please email us at comms@developlocal.org |
