What we don’t count, we can’t account for.
Every hour, minute and even second, we are generating information and data. Data generated by our interactions with each other, with technology, with our environment. Data generated by technology and our environment. An immense volume of information, from which we can draw out insights and understanding about the problems we face.
For any solution for the Sustainable Development Goals to be effective, we need accurate, accessible and up-to-date information. Not a particularly novel insight, nor a highly glamorous one like a new technology. But I believe it is an important recognition that should underpin any attempt to solve global challenges.
My belief in the need for quality, accessible and comprehensive data stems from a research experience I had in Timor-Leste, looking at microfinance in the country. Our initial research drew on what was available: previous studies in the country, census data and reports. We quickly found there was a huge data gap, especially when it came to understanding women and rural communities — a finding not unusual in many countries. Once we were doing field work, we quickly identified the second problem: even the existing data we had previously accessed was inaccurate, with basic census information often outdated or incomplete. To top it off, even when there was data, for example collected by finance institutions, we were not able to access it. In the end, we spent a lot of time collecting primary data ourselves — a long, expensive process that could be much simpler and more accurate. While some of our initial assumptions broadly lined up, it was only when we had sufficient data that we generated relevant insights about microfinance in the country. And even then, I would argue that the data we collected was not enough to capture the full picture.
This experience is not unique to development. I can think of countless examples where high quality data, which should the foundation for any work addressing global challenges, simply did not exist.
We need data for everything from policy design, programme targeting, impact assessment or technology creation. How can we try to properly find solutions, if we are not sure about the details of the problem in the first place? And even if we have the data that could make a difference, what is the value if it is only accessible to a handful of individuals or private organisations?
What we do not count, we cannot account for. What we cannot account for, we cannot act on.
By generating an accurate, up-to-date understanding of the current situation and problems in any area, we can then develop better responses and solutions. Moreover, we can build on this foundation by developing operational tools that can use the insights to make decisions.
Is this easier said than done? Of course, as many things are. But with the capabilities of technology today, I believe it is possible, and indeed necessary, that the first step for us is to work to fill data gaps, refine data collection and make it accessible to all. Equally important in this is to balance the need for data collection and use, with the need to protect privacy and data security. The privacy and anonymity of the individual, and indeed even communities we work in, cannot be compromised in our pursuit of data and new insights.
It is this first step in building stronger data foundations that I am excited to be working on at the UNLEASH conference, joining a creative, ambitious and driven group of people in the food track on the topic of food insecurity. One way we can address the data gap in this topic, is to leverage information from public and private data sources, such as telecommunications and satellite sources to provide a comprehensive platform translating the information into insights that can be acted on. We can understand how agricultural production is faring through vegetation health, rainfall and temperature insights. We can use insights to understand mobility patterns, how people access markets and draw parallels about their spending behaviour from phone use. Together, these insights can be used by government, not-for-profits or innovators to better design access, systems or responses to food insecure regions.
It is only one example of how strong data foundations have the potential, or indeed are necessary, reveal insights that are not immediately obvious, and informing how we can address serious challenges in development. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow SDG Talents and exploring how we can apply more data-driven processes in a variety of areas!
