[open-development] Open Data initiatives in Southern Africa

Wed Nov 23 05:37:26 UTC 2011

Hi Rufus

Thanks for the response.

On 22 November 2011 13:05, Rufus Pollock <rufus.pollock at okfn.org> wrote:

> One thing I'd proposed was booting an African data group on
> http://theDatahub.org/ (see http://thedatahub.org/group) with this
> then migrating to a standalone CKAN [1] data hub once we reached
> critical mass in terms of material and activity (say 50-100 datasets).
>
> Would this be a useful approach?

Yes, given that it doesn't seem like there is another established
centre for health data in the region - then that sounds like a good
starting point.

Adi

>
> Rufus
>
> [1]: http://ckan.org/
>
> On 21 November 2011 18:24, 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
>>
>> The information contained in this communication is confidential and
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>> individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to
>> receive it. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby
>> notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any
>> action in reliance of the contents of this information is strictly
>> prohibited and may be unlawful. SARPAM is liable for neither the
>> proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this
>> communication or for any delay in its receipt. The views expressed in
>> this communication are not necessarily the views of SARPAM. If you
>> have received this message in error, please notify SARPAM immediately,
>> tel nr +27 11 880 6980.
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Co-Founder, Open Knowledge Foundation
> Promoting Open Knowledge in a Digital Age
> http://www.okfn.org/ - http://blog.okfn.org/
>

-- 
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

The information contained in this communication is confidential and
may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the
individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to
receive it. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any
action in reliance of the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited and may be unlawful. SARPAM is liable for neither the
proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this
communication or for any delay in its receipt. The views expressed in
this communication are not necessarily the views of SARPAM. If you
have received this message in error, please notify SARPAM immediately,
tel nr +27 11 880 6980.

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.