Leveraging Global South’s Youth Vision For Our Data Future

Youth are the best storytellers of their experience with data and need to be included in data governance policy decision making. Youth are the best storytellers of their experience with data. In 2023, the Datasphere Initiative launched its Youth4OurDataFuture project, seeking to involve youth communities in data governance discussions and the design of data-driven technologies. The project has reached over 15,000 young people worldwide and is currently undergoing its second phase, conducting a series of youth labs and workshops with youth communities.

In the context of the UN World Data Forum, which took place in Medellín, Colombia, from November 12-15, the Datasphere Initiative partnered with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, Chaski Global, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Forum, and the Global Shapers community in Medellín, to host the workshop “Leveraging Global South Youth’s Vision for an Equitable and Sustainable Data Future”. 

With more than 30 participants, the workshop brought together African and Latin American youth communities to raise awareness on the importance of youth voices in data governance and co-design solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges youth face in today’s digital world.

After reflecting on the various youth data gaps and needs across the globe, participants heard about the various data challenges related to issues on gender, climate, environment, youth coalitions and quality education and skills. They were then given the time to reflect on specific challenges they were experiencing in their communities related to data and digital technologies. Some of the challenges and solutions included:

1. Contextualizing data 

Participants highlighted the importance of creating context-specific data solutions that reflect the unique challenges and needs of diverse youth communities across regions like Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Examples included integrating nonbinary gender perspectives into datasets, leveraging citizen-generated data for local climate solutions, and promoting data literacy to improve education and skills development globally.

2. Accessibility and rural communities 

Rural communities in Africa and Latin America often face barriers to digital inclusion and data access. Participants proposed strategies such as developing tailored communication methods, digitally connecting remote areas, and designing data tools that are easy to use and understand for people with limited technological exposure.

3. Involving youth in data collection

Youth emphasized the need to be involved not only in data collection but also in the broader policy and governance processes of data-driven technologies. Addressing funding gaps, fostering partnerships, and creating opportunities for information exchange were identified as key steps to ensure youth play a meaningful role throughout the data lifecycle and in the development of equitable data systems.

The Datasphere Initiative and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data have joined forces with UNICEF’s commitment on Data Governance Fit for Children. The coalition is committed to uplifting children’s rights, bolstering humanitarian data preparedness and strengthening country data systems by further engaging with youth to co-develop responsible technologies, national systems and policies that align with their rights and interests. 

If you want to learn more about the Datasphere Initiative’s youth work or the Data Governance Fit for Children commitment, reach out to [email protected].