Interview
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Empowering Policymakers: Leveraging Data for Human-Centered Decisions and Global Impact

19 June 2024
Interview

Project Leader Interview

3 Questions with Alena Klatte (UNDP) and Mariana Carrillo (GIZ)

 

In an era of increasing demands on policymakers, Leveraging Data for human-centered policy, one of the 2023-2024 Scale-up projects, is at the forefront of integrating diverse data sources into national policies. In this interview with Alena Klatte (UNDP) and Mariana Carrillo (GIZ), we explore how the Data to Policy Navigator supports evidence-informed decision-making and the Data to Policy Network's efforts to promote data-driven policies globally.

 

With the Data to Policy Navigator, you support policymakers in making more evidence-informed policies. How does the platform facilitate the integration of diverse data sources into policymaking processes?

The Data to Policy Navigator extends beyond a basic tool, facilitating data integration into policymaking by providing policymakers with a clear, step-by-step framework to:

  • Identify and define problems and data gaps, aiding in pinpointing crucial information.
  • Learn methods to collect trustworthy data and establish partnerships for accessing additional sources.
  • Gain insights on processing, analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing data to transform it into actionable knowledge.
  • Bridge the gap between data and action, ensuring translation of data insights into concrete actions throughout the policy lifecycle.

 

How do you effectively collaborate with policymakers to advocate for the integration of data into decision-making processes, and what strategies do you employ to convince them of the importance of investing in data integration?

We collaborate with policymakers in a multitude of ways to promote data-driven, inclusive policymaking. One of the  key strategies we use is evidence-based advocacy. We strive to communicate the power of success stories and lessons learned from past projects we've supported. For instance, we highlight initiatives like the one that empowered women's economic participation in Mexico or the innovative approach for using technology to support refugee management in Moldova. These concrete examples showcase the tangible benefits of data-informed policies and convince policymakers of its effectiveness.

 

You have recently launched the Data to Policy Network. Can you tell us about this community, who can join, what it aims to achieve and how participants can benefit from it?

Absolutely! The Data to Policy Network is a powerful tool for advocacy. This collaborative effort, co-founded by UNDP, UNOSCC, GIZ, and financed by BMZ and the European Union, fosters a global community of policymakers, data experts, and engaged citizens. The Network's core objective is to cultivate a culture where data guides policymaking. It facilitates the exchange of expertise among stakeholders, encouraging mutual learning via curated resources and periodic sessions on topics like new data sources and AI in policymaking.

Membership to the network is open to policy makers, but also to “friends” interested in promoting data-informed policy culture like civil society, academia, etc. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, the Data to Policy Network serves as a platform for collaboration and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, aiming to make data a driving force behind better, more equitable policies for all.

 

More details about the Navigator

Join the Data to Policy Network