Image: Air traffic visualisation, NATS Press OfficeOpen data is a term used to describe data that is free and openly available for anyone to use. Many governments around the world are challenging software developers to help identify applications that help citizens and organization make innovative use of open data. Some US cities have had a number of successes. Examples include apps that leverage vacant city lots or track cyclist activity as a way of planning cycle infrastructure.
The World Bank’s August 2015 policy paper, “Open Data for Sustainable Development” identifies a number of benefits of open data in enabling the monitoring and achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The paper also highlights two areas particularly related to SDG Goal 16: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” Although the collection and use of good data will enable all the goals to be more effectively monitored and reached.
Firstly, the World Bank paper suggests that open data will further accountability because it enables more stakeholders to access data about government performance, thus discouraging and sometimes exposing corruption. The paper notes that, “several national governments are considering open contracting standards, which would bring new transparency to government contracts — a move that could increase trust in those governments both among citizens and for foreign investors.”
And secondly, open data also facilitates creative and cooperative sharing of data, which might help in developing more accountable and responsive services. Some governments are providing open data on extractive industries, and indeed The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative offers guidelines for this type of open data.
Ultimately the paper highlights that successful open data initiatives require both willing governments and active communities of programmers and end users who can help leverage the data for good governance outcomes.
