On Saturday 7th March 2020, the tenth Open Data Day took place with people around the world organising over 300 events to celebrate, promote and spread the use of open data. Thanks to generous support from key funders, the Open Knowledge Foundation was able to support the running of more than 60 of these events via our mini-grants scheme.
This blogpost is a report by Abdoul Aziz Traore from Association SUUDU ANDAL in Burkina Faso who received funding from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to plan to emphasise the importance of open data for development and accountability during their event.
On Saturday 7th March 2020, a fireside chat was held on open data with Malick Lingani and Abdoul Aziz Traore, thanks to the support of the Open Knowledge Foundation. The event was initiated under the leadership of Suudu Andal, an organisation focused on good governance and the Sustainable Development Goals.
30 people including 20 girls, leaders of different organisations and structures were present at this event. We discussed how leaders can make data available to organisations to inform development and enable different stakeholders to be more effective in their interventions. Then we also stressed the importance of open data for accountability and development.
Finally, we exchanged views on how to make data available for transparency and good governance. It should be noted that this event had a special touch because it brought together young people who had little notion of open data.
After the event, many committed to promoting data provision for equitable and inclusive development. The fireside chat consisted of a total of 80 questions and lasted two and a half hours. One key question was: what role can youth play to make open contracting a reality in Burkina Faso given its importance for development?
