Provides an overview of the use of data (Big, Open, Linked Data) in the development context. The slides presents a model for D4D and highlights initiatives in two major streams of D4D initiatives.

1. Data for Development –
A Bird’s Eye View
Adegboyega Ojo
Insight Centre for Data Analytics
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), Rep. of Ireland
adegboyega.ojo@insight-centre.org
Data for Development Tutorial -
ICEGOV2014, Guimarães, Portugal , 27 – 30 October 2014

2. Agenda
o Background
o Exemplar Initiatives
o Cases – Scotland and Portugal

3. Background-
Global Data Ecosystem 1
Global open data ecosystem is rapidly growing with over 390
open data catalogues and portal now available [datacatalogs.org]

4. Background-
Global Data Ecosystem 2
Data technology and services are expected to grow worldwide
to USD 16.9 billion in 2015 at a compound annual growth
rate of 40% – about seven times that of the information and
communications technology (ICT) market overall [EC Data Driven
Economy Strategy 2014]
The number of specialist big data staff working in larger firms
will increase by more than 240% over the next five years in
the UK alone [EC Data Driven Economy Strategy 2014]
Significant opportunities for big data applications exists in a
number of sectors in health, smart factories, agriculture,
public administration, media [Big Project’s Sector requisite report, 2014]

5. Background-
Global Data Ecosystem 3
Economic Impact Potential of Open Data, Source: Mckinsey
Global Institute Analysis

6. Development -
Thoughts & Perspectives
Three classical schools of thought on development (Kleine
2009; Sein 2004):
o Development as modernization or economic growth
o Development as exploitation of poorer countries by richer or
more developed through colonization or dependency
o The development as expansion of assets and capabilities of
the poor to participate in, negotiate with, influence, control
and hold accountable the institutions that affect their lives”
(Sen, 1984).
The assets include material, financial, natural, geographical,
human, psychological, informational, cultural and social
resources (Kleine, 2009).

7. Development –
A Simplified Model (Choice Framework)
Agency is the capability to exploit resources to achieve goals. Choice is degree
of empowerment @ 4levels - Existence, Awareness, Use, Achievement.
Source: Adapted from Ojo, A., Janowski, T., & Awotwi, J. (2013). Enabling development through governance and mobile
technology. Government Information Quarterly, 30, S32–S45. doi:10.1016/j.giq.2012.10.004

8. Data for Development - Perspectives
Harnessing open data to achieve positive societal development
outcomes. At least two clear strands of initiatives …
o Adopting better data management and open innovation
practices in core socio-economic sectors such as agriculture
and health. Also includes developing data-driven applications
and knowledge products for better public services
o International development organizations such as the World
Bank and United Nations agencies have launched major data
initiatives to promote the use of Big, Open and Linked data
in international development

9. Data for Development Model –
A Simple Model
Copyright © Adegboyega Ojo

10. Data for Development –
Perspective 1 Example Definition
Constructed from Orange’s D4D and OD4D Initiatives:
o Using available Big, Open, Linked Data in novel ways to
address socio-economic development questions and
challenges related to well-being of the populace.
o Harnessing the power of open data to achieve positive
developmental outcomes (http://www.od4d.net/about.html)

11. Data for Development –
Perspective 2 Open Innovation Initiative
Exploiting mobile phone datasets including antenna-to-antenna
traffic on hourly basis; individual trajectories for customers for two
week time window with antenna location information, and
communication graphs for customers; to address societal challenges

12. Data for Development –
Perspective 2 Public Health Example
Exploiting Call Record
Data for epidemiological
studies and tracking
spread of diseases.
Source:
http://www.economist.com/news/le
aders/21627623-mobile-phone-records-
are-invaluable-tool-combat-ebola-
they-should-be-made-available

13. Data for Development –
Perspective 2 Governance Initiative
“Follow the Money” Initiative in Nigeria to map and track government
spends {http://followthemoneyng.org/]

14. Data for Development -
Perspective 1 Sector Applications
Source: Compiled by authors from “EC FP7 Big project Report on Sector Requisites

15. Data for Development –
Perspective 2 Exemplar definition
Definition by UN Global Pulse Primer on Big Data for Real-time
awareness 2013:
“Big Data for Development” is a concept that refers to
the identification of sources of Big Data relevant to policy
and planning of development programmes. It differs from
both “traditional” development data and what the private
sector and mainstream media call Big Data.”

16. Data for Development –
Perspective 2 Example Initiative
Source: unfpa.org
analysing links
between
population
phenomena and
reproductive
health, human
rights, gender
equality and
poverty, among
other issues.

17. Data for Development –
Perspective 2 Example Initiative
AGROVOC is a
controlled vocabulary
covering all areas of
interest of the UN
Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO)
including food,
nutrition, agriculture,
fisheries, forestry,
environment …
Source:
http://aims.fao.org/standards/agr
ovoc/linked-open-data#.
VE2qHTi2_4g

18. Data for Development –
Perspective 3 Example Initiative
AidData is a
research and
innovation lab that
seeks to improve
development
outcomes by making
development finance
data more accessible
and actionable…
Source: http://aiddata.org/

19. Data for Development –
Inter-regional Coop Initiative
Open Data for Development Network: Collaborative research and
practice efforts involving initiatives from South – Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the Caribbean aiming to strengthen open data ecosystems
in the respective regions [http://www.od4d.net/about.html].

20. Is D4D Sufficiently “Inclusive”?
o Closer examination of existing initiatives shows that
few initiatives directly engage citizens
o How do we increase citizen direct participation in the
D4D driven solutions?
o Any role for crowdsourcing (or citizen sensing) and
Human-Computer Interaction (e.g. effective
interfaces for different citizen segments) here ?
We will return to these issues shortly ….

21. Part 2
Cases: Scotland & Portugal