Data to leave no one behind in the context of Covid-19: Practical steps from Benin and beyond

Monday 19 October 2020, 12:30–13:45 UTC | 13:30–14:45 BST | 14:30−15:45 CEST

The UN World Data Forum brings together data and statistical experts and users from governments, civil society, the private sector, donor and philanthropic bodies, international and regional agencies, the geospatial community, the media, academia and professional bodies. Data experts and users gather to spur data innovation, mobilise high-level political and financial support for data, and build a pathway to better data for sustainable development.

Development Initiatives is proud to be a partner for the 2020 Virtual UN World Data Forum which comes at a critical time.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on countries around the world. The crisis poses a huge risk to progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, exposing inequalities and exacerbating vulnerabilities within and among countries. As with other crises, the people who are most vulnerable and have the least resilience are being hit hardest, whether from the immediate health pandemic, from resulting lockdown measures or from its longer-term socio-economic consequences.

Governments are facing common challenges of establishing effective health measures while at the same time putting in place economic support and financing to respond to the crisis. The need for timely and disaggregated data to support the development and targeting of effective policies to leave no one behind and to monitor progress and impact has never been greater.

This session, organised by Development Initiatives and Benin’s Ministry of Planning and Development as part of the 2020 Virtual UN World Data Forum, will bring together a group of experts with a range of perspectives and experiences of using data to ensure no one is left behind. Panellists and participants will share and explore, in detail, practical approaches to mobilising data and supporting the most vulnerable populations during the pandemic and beyond.

The session will include a series of presentations as well as a panel discussion and audience Q&A. We will examine key questions including:

• Where are the people and places most likely to be left behind and what impact is Covid-19 having on them?
• What kinds of data and statistics do we need to inform policy choices that tackle poverty and inequality in response to Covid-19?
• What new kinds of partnerships are required for sharing and using data effectively?
• What should be the role of the international community?

Speakers

• Moderator Dr Haishan Fu, Director Development Data Group, World Bank Group
• Senior Minister Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, Senior Minister of Planning and International Development, Benin (TBC)
• Oliver Chinganya, Director of the African Centre for Statistics at the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis
• Harpinder Collacott, Executive Director, Development Initiatives
• Professor Oliver Hümbelin,  Professor of Social Policy, Bern University of Applied Sciences
• Karen Mihorean, Director General of Social Data Insights, Integration and Innovation, Statistics Canada
• Dr Chris Ndatira Mukiza, Executive Director, Uganda Bureau of Statistics

Through our discussion we will arrive at concrete recommendations for operationalising the commitment to leave no one behind in a challenging context.

Register here to attend the 2020 Virtual UN World Data Forum. Please note that our session will be recorded, and the recording shared publicly following the event. If you have questions about this session, please contact Hayley Lelourec at [email protected].