[open-development] Open Data initiatives in Southern Africa

Tue Nov 22 11:22:17 UTC 2011

Hi Adi, and thanks Tim for pointing at WF.

Adi, the pointer Tim referred to is a good read. We are also in discussions with various countries in Africa about Open Data more generally. We are conveying the idea of achieving 5-star open data in six dimensions (and not only the technical one) [2].

We are currently interested in building a few but shinning examples that could serve to show the way to others while we build global resources from them to make them available to the broader community. Our aim is to help build locally sustainable open data ecosystems.

If that resonates with you, I'd be happy to talk to you in more detail, also as health-related information is something we've been recently looking into.

Best,
Josema.

[2] http://www.webfoundation.org/2011/11/5-star-open-data-initiatives/

-- 

Jose M. Alonso
Program Manager, Open Data
World Wide Web Foundation
email: josema at webfoundation.org
twitter: @josemalonso
skype: josema.alonso
http://www.webfoundation.org

El 21/11/2011, a las 21:46, Tim Davies escribió:
> Hey Adi,
> 
> Welcome to the open development list. Great to hear about progress on SARPAM. 
> 
> What sorts of datasets have you managed to get opened up so far? What datasets are the prime targets for you?
> 
> I know the Kenya open data portal team are planning some outreach across Africa in the coming months to pursuade other countries to follow their lead on open data which could by good in getting buy in at ministerial levels to open data programmes - I'm not sure which countries the Kenya team are reaching out to...
> 
> The TI/World Wide Web Foundation 'start at the bottom; start in the middle; start at the top' formula for opening access to data is a good framework for thinking about the different elements that need to come together for a good open data project. There is some good learning in the reports at: http://blog.okfn.org/2011/03/22/the-next-ogd-frontier-low-and-middle-income-countries/ 
> 
> All the best
> 
> Tim
> 
> On Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM, Adi Eyal <adi at sarpam.net> wrote:
> Hi All
> 
> I am involved in a DFID-funded project called the Southern African
> Regional Programme on Access to Medicines (SARPAM). We are working
> with the SADC secretariat and member states to improve access to
> medicines in the region through strengthening regional institutions as
> well facilitating regional cooperation. One facet of this programme is
> the development of a platform for information sharing across member
> states. My role in the project is to champion the open sharing of data
> across the region so as to encourage inter-state collaboration.
> Already, from the meager data sharing that has taken place, we are
> seeing that procurement agencies in a number of countries are finding
> themselves in a more advantageous position when negotiating with
> pharmaceutical companies.
> 
> The process of opening up databases is far from easy however as many
> countries do not have established policies on information sharing and
> it's easier to restrict access than it is to make data available. I am
> reaching out to any other organisations and individuals active in the
> region who may have an interest in this initiative or are involved in
> related programmes of their own and who may want to share insights.
> 
> Best Regards
> Adi
> 
> 
> --
> Adi Eyal
> InfoHub Manager
> 
> phone +27 (0)11 880 6993 | fax +27 (0)11 880 6980
> mobile +27 (0)780142469
> skype adieyalcas
> www.sarpam.net
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> 
> 
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