[open-development] Open Data initiatives in Southern Africa

Thu Mar 29 23:25:55 UTC 2012

Dear Jose

I am responding here for the benefit of the group, but we can carry on
bewtween ourselves thereafter - and my apologies for resurrectin an
old thread.

I have just been part of the Oxford Economics World Wide Web Index
Project as the respondent for Namibia.

I saw your post on the World Wide Web Foundation site and would be
very keen to become involved.
http://www.webfoundation.org/2012/03/odrs-launch/

Namibia is nowhere near being a "shining example" as you refer to in
your email below, but it has everything in place to become one. In
completing the survey, I have identified a wide range of key resurces
and well-placed players that make up a good foundation for a local
project.

Best regards,

Rui

On 22 November 2011 13:22, Jose M. Alonso <josema at webfoundation.org> wrote:
> 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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>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> http://www.timdavies.org.uk
>> 07834 856 303.
>> @timdavies
>>
>> Co-director of Practical Participation: http://www.practicalparticipation.co.uk
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-- 
_________________________
Mobile Number in Namibia +264 81 445 1308
Número de Telemóvel na Namíbia +264 81 445 1308

I am away from Johannesburg - you cannot contact me on my South African numbers
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através dos meus números sul-africanos

Rui Correia
Advocacy, Human Rights, Media and Language Consultant
Angola Liaison Consultant

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