About the D4D Network
A global alliance working to advance new strategies on the use of data to address development challenges around the world
It starts with a simple premise:
The responsible use of data can help us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), understand the impact of a global crisis like the COVID pandemic, or identify critical areas for development programming that still need to be addressed. However, we need to know more, share what we know, and be willing to work together for the public good.
The Data for Development Network
The global Data for Development (D4D) agenda is moving into a new phase. Advances in the broad field of data science can increase the abilities of organisations across all sectors. AI in particular, powered by data, is spurring new innovations and transformative social change, both positive and negative.
The Data for Development Network (D4D.net) is a global alliance of Global South-based research organisations established with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) that works to develop and mobilise the knowledge needed to advance the use of data to address critical development challenges. The Network seeks to shape a more inclusive response to development challenges by bringing southern perspectives on the use and impact of data to the forefront. The roughly 40 projects currently underway build on the activities of our organisational partners across the Global South to advance research and policy in critical areas such as responsible AI, open data, big data, privacy and human rights, misinformation, cybersecurity, data justice, and much more.
Our Mission
The Data for Development Network seeks to advance the governance and use of data for democratic, inclusive, and equitable development.
To this end, member organisations of the Data for Development Network collaborate extensively to maximise funding opportunities and to leverage skills and competencies to increase our collective impact on research and policy development at all levels.
Objectives
- Advance Policy and Practice - Advance the development of inclusive, equitable, and rights preserving digital policy, data governance, and data systems by governments and institutions.
- Scale Innovation - Support the innovative use/reuse of data and data systems to address key development challenges, promote inclusiveness, and uphold respect for and access to human rights.
- Strengthen Capacity - Strengthen the capacity of governments, civil society, and research organisations to use data and effective data governance to address development challenges and support transparent and accountable decision-making.
- Enhance Southern Leadership - Position southern-led research and researchers to shape the global data agenda and drive improved national policies through support for South-South and South-North networks.
- Build a Culture of Evidence - Strengthen a global community of researchers to support a global evidence-based agenda to advance the use of data for development.
- Support Awareness and Resilience across the Global South of the changes to democratic principles, governance, and accountability as they are being reshaped and redefined by digital technologies driven by data and AI.
How We Work
Accelerate Research
Undertake an accelerated research agenda to address critical gaps in the evidence needed to support local, national, and global decision-making related to data for development strategies.Catalyse Action
Share knowledge on the innovative use of data in priority development areas, such as gender equality, health, climate change, education, food security, and much much more.Shape the Agenda
Support Southern-based organisations in shaping a global response to development challenges by bringing “use of data” lessons, capacity building, and community collaboration to the forefront.
Network Member Organizations
The D4D Network is made up of research organisations across the Global South working to advance research and the development of innovative policies and practices to address critical development challenges both globally and locally through the responsible use of data.
Birzeit University
Palestine
Data has become the main tool used in development, and the ongoing digital transformation based on ever-increasing amounts of data will affect all aspects of our lives!
CAFDO
Burkina Faso
CAFDO works to strengthen the use of open data in Francophone Africa to improve policies and citizen engagement, and to drive innovation.
Caribbean Open Institute - COI
Jamaica
COI promotes open development approaches to inclusion, participation, and innovation within the Caribbean using data as the catalyst.
Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law - CIPIT
Kenya
CIPIT seeks to study, create, and share knowledge on the development of intellectual property and information technology, especially as they contribute to African Law and Human Rights.
Centro Latam Digital
Mexico
Centro Latam generates knowledge, strengthens technical capacities, and promotes dialogue on access to and adoption of information and communication technologies for development in Latin America.
Cepei
Colombia
Cepei works to influence sustainable development decision-making through research and data in the Global South.
Data for Development Asia Hub
Malaysia, Myanmar
D4DAsia works to improve the availability and impact of open data in Southeast Asia through research and strategic coordination of regional collaboration initiatives.
Derechos Digitales
Chile
Derechos Digitales’ objective is the development, defence, and promotion of human rights in the digital environment.
ILDA
Uruguay
ILDA promotes inclusive development, public and social innovation, and open knowledge through the use of data and the participation of the communities across Latin America.
Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies Asia - LIRNEAsia
Sri Lanka
LIRNEAsia seeks to catalyse policies in the Asia Pacific region that improve people’s lives by facilitating their use of knowledge, information, and technology.
Local Development Research Institute - LDRI
Kenya
LDRI seeks to influence public policy in favour of strengthening human capital development and mobilising domestic financing for better development outcomes.
Middle East and North Africa Data Network
Egypt
MENAdata aims to aims to strengthen research and advocacy around the use of data to address long-lasting development challenge.
Research ICT Africa - RIA
South Africa
RIA works to accelerate economic inclusion and social justice in Africa by undertaking rigorous research to inform digital policy and data governance.
The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is comprised of representatives of our member organisations, providing strategic direction and oversight in support of network activities with input from members organisations. Additional information is available via the Data for Development Network Charter.
Rachel Adams
Dr. Rachel Adams is the Chair of the D4D Network Executive Committee as well as the Principal Investigator of the Global Index on Responsible AI. She is also the principal researcher at Research ICT Africa, where she directs the AI4D African Observatory on Responsible AI.
Pyrou Chung
Pyrou directs EWMI data initiatives in Southeast Asia under the Open Development Initiative. As a sustainable development expert, her work focuses on the nexus between environmental governance, conservation, and human rights. She chairs Knowledge for Development Asia.
Gloria Guerrero
Gloria works at the intersection of democracy, technology, and civic engagement. Over the last 10 years, she has implemented digital transformation and open data strategies for governments, co-developed civic technology initiatives, and managed multi-actor alliances to support democratic innovation.
Marwan Tarazi
Marwan is Director of the Center for Continuing Education at Birzeit University. The CCE works to create sustainable development based on principles required today or in the future - innovation, continuous learning, knowledge sharing, respect, and integrity.
Global and Regional Partners
The D4D Network develops a range of partnerships to support the implementation of work plans and projects and to enhance the impact of Network products and research results.
Donor Organisations
IDRC is the founding donor organisation of the D4D Network and works with our other donors to facilitate data for development programming via our Network members.
International Development Research Centre - IDRC
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Global Affairs Canada
D4D Global Research Hub
A small team supports the Data for Development Network via four core activities that are intended to catalyse an ever-evolving global community of practice via and drive the innovative use of data to support sustainable development. The resources and information contained on this website all target the following 4 activities of the Hub:
Research
Global, regional, and local research, reports, data collection, position papers, and analysis.
Knowledge Mobilisation
Policies, guidance, best practices, use-cases, tools, and scalable solutions.
Capacity Building
Development of data-science skills, knowledge, and infrastructure.
Convening the Community
Events, webinars, and conferences to explore emerging issues within the global data agenda.
The resources available on the site represent a collective effort to address the global knowledge gap around the responsible use of data to address development challenges and advance democracy, while simultaneously addressing ethical and social concerns related to the misuse of data. The D4D Global Research Hub is hosted at Research ICT Africa.
Stephen B. Walker
Stephen is the Director of the D4D Global Research Hub and has led several international initiatives to advance the use of data for development. Prior to his work with D4D.net, he also led open government and data activities for the Government of Canada, led a range of Open Data for Development (OD4D) initiatives, was senior editor of the State of Open Data, and managed the International Open Data Conference (IODC).
Silvana Fumega
Dr. Silvana Fumega is the Principal Investigator for the Global Data Barometer, as well as the past Research and Policy Director of ILDA. She holds a PhD from University of Tasmania, Australia. She has served as a consultant for several international organizations, governments and civil society groups. In the past few years she has focused her work on the intersection of data and inclusion.
Fiona Chawana
Fiona is the Social Media Officer of the Global Index on Responsible AI. She is a communications researcher and consultant with a Masters in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Her primary interest is in research and policy development related to the use of data for the public good.
Mariana Chaverri
Mariana holds a Degree in International Relations and is currently a student of the Licentiate Degree on International Politics, both from the National University of Costa Rica. She has worked on topics of social inclusion, access to human rights, intersectionality, and development, having been introduced to the links between development and open data during her past work at ILDA.
Rachel Adams
Dr. Rachel Adams is the Chair of the D4D Network Executive Committee as well as the Principal Investigator of the Global Index on Responsible AI. She is also the principal researcher at Research ICT Africa, where she directs the AI4D African Observatory on Responsible AI.
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