Data...for What?!

In episode 1, Season 3 of “Data…for What?!,” Vanessa Goas and special guest Sebastian Öhmann, Advisor of the Data Economy Initiative inside the Global Project of Digital Transformation from GIZ, discuss data and digital transformation in relation to climate change adaptation and specifically focusing on climate finance.

Join DGer Beverley Hatcher-Mbu and special guest Irene Mwendwa, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Feminist Movement Building Program at Pollicy, for episode 3 of “Data…for What?!” During the episode, they discuss digital rights in non-Western contexts.

In episode 2 of “Data…for What?!” Beverley Hatcher-Mbu speaks with special guests Natalia Carfi and Swee Leng Harris about open data and data protection. Tune in now!

Kicking off season 2 of DG’s podcast, “Data…for What?!” Beverley Hatcher-Mbu spoke with special guest Sean Martin McDonald about the data governance landscape, models, and accountability.

We have come to the final episode of the current series, which focused on our new strategy. In this episode, Josh discussed digital transformation and emerging technologies with Annie Kilroy, Senior Associate, and Fernando Ferreyra, DG’s Director of Software Development. The conversation centered on sustainability and responsibility, what has changed in the technology landscape in the past decade, our approach to digital transformation, and how to continue prioritizing users. Related links from the conversation: DG's Aid Management ProgramCustom Landscape Assessment Methodology (CALM)A Deep Dive into 20 Years of Tech at DGImproving Land and Crop Use Data in Nigeria – The VIFAA Innovation FundBest Practices in Developing Data Governance FrameworksOpen Contracting Support & Training in Bandung, IndonesiaTowards Full System Ownership: the Government of Ethiopia’s Journey to AMP Self-Reliance Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.

In this episode Josh talks to Charlene Migwe-Kagume about how we are approaching agriculture work in our new strategy. Agriculture is a space where DG has worked for a number of years, but how are we building on past experiences and our strengths to take this work forward? Josh and Charlene discuss digging deeper in agriculture and how innovation plays a role. Programs Discussed Visualizing Insights on Fertilizer for African Agriculture (VIFAA)Visualizing Information on Seeds Using Technology in Africa (TASAI-VISTA)Cashew-IN Platform Highlighting our Partners International Fertilizer Development CenterAfricaFertilizer.orgCultivating New Frontiers in AgricultureThe African Seed Access Index Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.

In this episode, we explore how DG is prioritizing our geographical focus in the coming years. Conversations with Vanessa Baudin Sanchez, Carmen Cañas, and Charlene Migwe-Kagume highlighted the opportunities and challenges of expanding our portfolio in Central America and deepening our work and partnerships in West, East, and Southern Africa. Jump to the Conversation Expanding to Central America – 7:14 Deepening work in East and Southern Africa – 13:20 Building onto DG's Work in West & Francophone Africa – 21:36 Digging Deeper The team mentioned a number of DG programs and processes during this conversation, you can learn more through the links below: DG's Custom Assessment Landscaping MethodologyThe Aid Management Program (AMP)Des Chiffres et Des Jeunes (DCDJ)Open contracting and procurementDG's learning cultureOur agile approach Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.

In Episode 2 of Data…for What?!, Josh Powell met with experts from DG and IREX to discuss DG’s expansion into the education, media and disinformation, and youth sectors. The conversations explore the most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities for data and technology to positively impact these sectors and discuss how these trends are likely to play out in the years ahead. Based on these trends, the experts explain the unique fit for DG’s skills and specific opportunities for collaboration that align with the vision of DG’s partnership with IREX, which has a long and successful history working in each sector. Jump Directly to the Conversations: 3:26 – Education with DG’s Aminata Camara Badji, who is the Senegal-based Regional Program Lead in West Africa and IREX’s Becky Ward, who is a UK-based Senior Technical Advisor for education in Africa, Europe/Eurasia, Middle East, and North Africa. 26:57 – Media/Disinformation with DG’s Annie Kilroy, who is a Senior Associate based in Washington, DC and IREX’s Tetiana Karas, a Senior Program Manager based in Kyiv, Ukraine. 50:13 – Youth With DG’s Principal Consultant and West Africa Regional Manager, Vanessa Baudin Sanchez, who is based in Dakar, Senegal and Nina Oduro, who was IREX’s Senior Advisor for Youth and Leadership. Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.

In July, Development Gateway (DG) launched our new Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 to 2025. This plan builds on twenty-two years of project implementation experience and policy engagement around the globe. To help contextualize the new Strategic Plan, we are launching a podcast series called Data… for What?! This series we talk to DGers throughout the organization - as well as collaborators within our strategic partner, IREX - about how and why we prioritized the various elements of the new strategy. In this episode we talk to Kristin Lord, President and CEO of IREX about how our partnership fits into the Strategic Plan; and to Aleks Dardeli, Executive Vice President of IREX and Chair of DG’s Board of Directors, about the process of putting the Plan together at this opportune, yet precarious, global moment. Special thanks to Mark Hatcher for our theme music. You can find Mark on social media at @markdhatcher.