Description:
*** The issue *** 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 wake of the crisis, numerous data sharing initiatives were launched, both by public and private sector actors, as well as through multistakeholder partnerships, to pool pandemic-related information in an effort to help mitigate the crisis. These initiatives have also brought to the forefront considerations on data protection and security as well as privacy and human rights concerns regarding the use of personal data. Of course, these conversations are not new. Similar discussions arise in the wake of major environmental and humanitarian emergencies, with important considerations on how data can help predict, prepare for and mitigate such global crises situations. However, the rapid spread of the current crisis around the globe reminded us of the dire need for global cooperation in face of a common threat. 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. *** Discussions *** There needs to be more discussion on the use of data-driven innovation in policy-making, e.g. exploring the role of public-private partnerships and how private-sector data can be leveraged, voluntarily, to provide evidence for informed policy-making. This session aims to uncover how data sharing can provide relevant tools for prevention and management of such global crises. How can we encourage all stakeholders to cooperatively 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? Organizations that are interested in possibilities of sharing data responsibly and selectively with others, need to consider different models to share the benefits of data, as well as various degrees of openness in data-sharing, while enabling compliance with applicable regulatory concerns such as privacy and security. What policy and technical tools are needed to enable this? How can we encourage a broader and more holistic discussion with different stakeholders on data collaboration? 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 pannelists and audience members, and strive to formulate balanced policy responses, based on these learnings. *** Session format *** Through break-group discussions the workshop will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to meet one another, share experiences and identify opportunities for multistakeholder collaboration. The break-out group discussion will facilitate distilling opportunities and challenges, deliberate appropriate responses as well as sharing best practices and lessons learned from deploying data sharing initiatives. These will be collected and shared in the workshop report as a tool for those aiming to launch such initiatives in the future. *** Agenda *** 1. The workshop will open with a roundtable exchange between experts (30 minutes) 2. Break-out discussions (30 mins) Participants will be invited to split into groups and will be asked to: - Share their views and experiences on existing initiatives they participated in, know of or helped launch. - Survey examples of where data was put to work to help predict, prevent or manage a major crisis - Evaluate opportunities and challenges faced. Experts will join each break-out group to lead the conversation and co-organisers will explore the use of a hand-out (with specific questions) for each break-out group to facilitate discussion. 3. Reporting back and plenary discussion (20 mins) All participants will then have the opportunity to: - Report back on their break-out group discussion - Identify mechanisms and initiatives that can be leveraged for international multistakeholder cooperation. 4. The moderator will sum-up discussion, confirm the key take-aways with the participants and close session (10 minutes).
