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    • Opinion
    • Data revolution

    The 'data revolution' will be open

    We need an eloquent narrative for what "open data" means and why it matters, writes Omidyar Network's Director of Policy Martin Tisne, in this guest commentary.

    By Martin Tisne // 27 November 2015

    There is a huge amount of talk about a “data revolution.” The phrase emerged in the years preceding this September’s announcement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and has recently been strongly reaffirmed by the launch of a Global Partnership on Sustainable Development Data.

    The importance of data in measuring, assessing and verifying the new SDGs has been powerfully made and usually includes a mention of the data needing to be “open.” However, the role of “open” has not been clearly articulated. Fundamentally, the discussion focuses on the role of data (statistics, for example) in decision-making, and not on the benefits of that data being open to the public. Until this case is made, difficult decisions to make data open will go by the wayside.

    Much of the debate justly focuses on why data matters for decision-making. Knowing how many boys and girls are in primary and secondary schools, how good their education is, and the number of teachers in their schools, are examples of relevant data used in shaping education delivery, and perhaps policy. Likewise, new satellite and cellphone data can help us prevent and understand the causes of death by HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

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    The views in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect Devex's editorial views.

    About the author

    • Martin Tisne

      Martin Tisne

      As director of policy at Omidyar Network, Martin Tisne brings extensive experience advocating for change in government and donor policies and driving sector-level change in the field of government transparency and accountability. Based in London, Martin leads policy, advocacy strategy, and related investments for the global Governance & Citizen Engagement initiative.

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