The current crisis caused by the rapid spread of COVID-19 raised important questions on the role of data in global crisis situations. With many governments around the world caught unprepared, healthcare professionals unsure of treatments or a possible cure, and analysts left wondering how to best track, trace and predict the spread of the virus or what precautionary measures to recommend, we are all reminded of the value of data.
Data not only serves as information, but also allows experts to perform analyses and create predictive models that help authorities make decisions. Thanks to predictive models, companies can adapt, public service institutions can make arrangements, and governments can spring into action to take measures commensurate with the severity of the given situation.
In the face of the current crisis collaboration through responsible data sharing, could provide organizations (both public and private) around the world with access to the variety, quantity and quality of data to enable further progress in all areas, including research, new products and services innovation, as well as policy development.
During the session, invited speakers, from across stakeholder groups and geographies, will share perspectives on what opportunities and challenges they see in sharing data for managing a global crisis. They will focus on impact specific to their sector, group or region to bring in various policy positions and expand the considerations of fellow panelists and audience members, and strive to formulate balanced policy responses, based on these learnings.
The aim of this session is to uncover how data sharing can provide relevant tools for prevention and management of such global crises. Discussions will consider how stakeholders can cooperate to put data to work for the benefit of all, what are the risks involved, what barriers are holding stakeholders back from engaging in such initiatives and what policy and technical tools are needed to enable sharing data responsibly and selectively with others.
The session will also consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already existing policy challenges data sharing had been facing. Speakers will unpack whether the current crisis accelerated the need for coherent international frameworks for responsible data sharing and how the temporary solutions that have been put in place to address the challenges that responsible data sharing is facing nowadays can be scaled up to be sustainable in the longer term?
