ECOWAS Network of Science Journalists was inaugurated in Abuja at the end of a meeting on Science Communication hosted by ECOWAS with the support of UNESCO and UNECA on October 23, 2011 to explore how best to disseminate the scientific news and reports on the continent and world at large.
Setting the scene for a sustainable development agenda powered by Data Revolution in Africa
27 March 2015 to 29 March 2015
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Central Thoughts
On Africa:
The African integration agenda addresses three main areas: political,
economical as well as social and cultural. For it to fully succeed, it
requires not only quality statistical information but also harmonized
data across time and space.
On Data:
Data are the lifeblood of decision-making and the raw material for
accountability. Without high-quality data providing the right
information on the right things at the right time to the right people;
designing, monitoring and evaluating effective policies becomes almost
impossible.
On Revolution:
A fundamental change, turnaround and newness in systems, powers and
organizational structures that happens in a very short time. They have
occurred over time, bringing a shift in cultures, policies, governments
and nations.
On Data Revolution:
The data revolution means more demand, more data, more communities,
more usage, more results and more engagement – an inspiring vision of a
world of fast-flowing data deployed for the public good, and of citizens
and governments excited and empowered by the possibilities this
creates.
On Data Revolution in Africa:
The process of bringing together diverse data communities to embrace a
diverse range of data sources, tools, and innovative technologies, to
provide disaggregated data for decision- making, service delivery and
citizen engagement; and information for Africa to own its narrative.
On Data Communities:
A data community is a group of people who share a social, economic or
professional interest in data production, management, dissemination
and/or use.
