From November 12 to 16, Data-Pop Alliance (DPA) proudly participated in the UN World Data Forum 2024 in Medellín, Colombia. Our Managing Director, Natalie Grover, and Co-Founder, Emmanuel Letouzé, represented DPA, joining global leaders and data experts to explore transformative solutions for sustainable development and inclusive data practices. DPA’s four sessions spotlighted our work in crisis response, data equity, and poverty measurement, contributing to vital conversations about leveraging data and AI for social good.
About the UN World Data Forum
The UN World Data Forum is a global platform dedicated to tackling sustainable development challenges through data-driven solutions. This year’s fifth edition took place in Medellín, Colombia, spanning five days of insightful discussions. The sessions showcased the transformative power of data in building resilient, inclusive communities, with a focus on themes such as data ecosystems and cross-sector partnerships.
DPA Sessions at the WDF 2024
‘Colombia and the Path Towards the Universal Income Registry (RUI): Business Rules, Methodology, and Forms of Use’ – November 13 @ 13:30
The session highlighted Colombia’s Universal Income Registry (RUI), a pioneering effort in financial inclusion. DPA presented its innovative MPI+ methodology, which combines multidimensional poverty measurement with non-traditional data sources to address urban poverty more effectively and inclusively.
Panel members included:
- Oscar Valencia: Inter-American Development Bank
- Francisco Javier Duque: Inter-American Development Bank
- Natalie Grover: Data-Pop Alliance
‘Caribbean Data Solutions Hub’ – November 14 @ 10:45
This session explored innovative approaches to strengthening data capabilities across Caribbean nations, with Emmanuel Letouzé emphasizing the urgency of leveraging data and AI for sustainable development. Key topics included resilience-building and regional collaboration.
Panel members included:
- Miosotis Rivas Peña: Oficina National de Estadística (ONE – Dominican Republic)
- Dr Emmanuel Letouzé: Data-Pop Alliance
- José Miguel Guzman: NoBrainerData
- Halim Brizan: Central Statistical Office (CSO-Grenada)
‘Unlocking Impact: Data, Analytics, and AI for Better Crisis Action’ – November 15 @ 13:15
In this session, Natalie Grover and other panelists explored how a robust data ecosystem can enhance crisis response. Discussions included the role of AI and analytics in improving emergency interventions and fostering resilience in vulnerable communities. The video below, shared by the Complex Risk Analytics Fund (CRAF’d) and UN Global Pulse, features Natalie speaking about DPA’s Data Feminism Program.
Panel members included:
- Talea von Lupin:United Nations Global Pulse (UNGP)
- Erin Miller: Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)
- Binyam Dele: YouthMappers
- Antje Lehmann: UN Complex Risk Analytics Fund (UN CRAF’d)
- Natalie Grover: Managing Director, Data-Pop Alliance
‘Going Beyond Traditional Data to Shed Light on Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations’ – November 15 @ 14:30
Moderated by Natalie, this session showcased innovative tools like OPAL for Humanitarian Action (OPAL4HA), which uses diverse data and AI sources to anticipate and respond to climate-induced crises using privacy-preserving mechanisms and collaborative governance systems. The session highlighted how partnerships with organizations such as ACLED, IMPACT Initiatives and Inclusive Data Charter are advancing support for marginalized populations.
Panelist members included:
- Cosima Cloquet: IMPACT Initiatives
- Erin Miller: Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)
- Natalie Grover: Data-Pop Alliance
DPA and the #Commit2Data Campaign
The campaign was launched by the World Data Forum to encourage organizations, from grassroots initiatives to global endeavors, to make commitments that address persistent data challenges across local, regional, and global landscapes. These encompass diverse types of data and scopes of impact across all 17 SDGs. Commitments had to be voluntary, measurable, and impactful actions with a clear timeframe and are not limited to financial commitments.
Data-Pop Alliance pledge to the following commitments:
- Multidimensional Poverty Index to fight Poverty and Strengthen Livelihoods in Urban Settlements (MPI+)
- OPAL for Humanitarian Action (OPAL4HA)
- Book Club “Counting Feminicide with Catherine D’Ignazio”
- Gender Inclusive Framework for Cities
Check out the video below, shared by Open Data Watch and PARIS21, to learn more about this campaign, which features some of our team members discussing DPA’s commitments:
DPA is proud to have contributed to the World Data Forum 2024, sharing insights while learning from diverse global initiatives. Together, we can harness the power of data for meaningful, sustainable change. Stay connected with us for updates on our initiatives and future events.
