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A: DevInfo is a database system
that provides a method to organize,
store and display data in a uniform
format to facilitate data sharing
at country level across government
departments and UN agencies using
the same system. DevInfo has been
adapted from UNICEF ChildInfo database
technology. DevInfo is an integrated
desktop and web-enabled tool to
assist countries in their reporting
on the MDGs. It has simple and user-friendly
features that can be used to produce
tables, graphs and maps for inclusion
in MDG reports, presentations and
advocacy materials. The software
supports both standard and user
defined indicators. The standard
set of indicators (the 48 MDG indicators)
are at the core of the package and
cannot be modified. However, at
the regional and country levels,
database administrators still have
the option to add their own sets
of local indicators to their databases
A: You can obtain a copy by contacting
the DevInfo Global Administrator.
See Contacts for details.
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A: In the context of the MDG working
group a small sub-group had been
looking into the issue of a standard
software package for monitoring
MDGs. In November 2002, the UNICEF
Executive Director offered to the
Secretary General to provide a software
package to support the organization
and display of data for monitoring
goals for use by UN Country Teams
and National governments. This package
would be a modified and enhanced
version of the ChildInfo package
then being used by UNICEF. The new
system would be called DevInfo.
The MDG Working Group recommended
that this offer be accepted, and
the UNDG Programme Group subsequently
endorsed this.
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A: DevInfo will contribute to setting
universal standards for data storage,
access and dissemination of human
development indicators, specifically
the MDGs. The long-term vision for
DevInfo is for the system to make
a major contribution to strengthening
the processes at country level for
use of data for monitoring, planning
and advocacy.
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A: Yes. DevInfo provides a module
that allows, within certain limits,
the customization of the system
to country-specific requirements,
including the name of the system,
images, graphics, logos and colour
scheme. A second module allows for
all language elements of the system
to be customized. This module also
provides support for local languages.
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A: DevInfo has a feature which allows
the user to generate data reports,
including those needed for MDG reports.
DevInfo provides simple facilities
for querying the database and producing
tables, graphs and maps for inclusion
in MDG reports and exporting these
to Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
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A: DevInfo does not attempt to supplant
or replace existing efforts: well-established
UN and non-UN initiatives at the
global, regional and country level,
including specific thematic (sectoral)
initiatives for monitoring individual
goals or topics. DevInfo's specific
purpose and added-value is to collect
existing data, identify gaps in
the MDG indicators if they exist
and provide a consolidated source
of data on the MDG indicators. It
is also designed to make it easy
for national entities to use the
integrated database for advocacy
with key decision-makers.
Typically, users would include:
. UN country teams
. National statistical offices
. Government departments
. Planning ministries
. District planners
. Media (to report and track human
development data)
. Educational institutions (for
data analysis and to help children
have access to the data)
. DevInfo administrators (would
use the more advanced database administration
modules to customize the system,
add data etc.)
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A: The DevInfo source code is the
property of UNICEF.
DevInfo can be used by anyone who
has the software. UNICEF has absolutely
no restrictions on the database
and its use; in fact, drawing upon
its Mission statement, UNICEF has
obligations to advocate, mobilize
resources and work with all UN agencies,
governments and partners to ensure
the realization of child rights.
Information sharing/dissemination
and encouraging partners to use
the information is one of the best
ways to carry out this mission.
At the country level, UNICEF office(s)
and its UN partners will have the
right to freely distribute DevInfo.
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A:
. Assess data and monitoring needs
. Identify UNCT focal points
. Identify government focal points
. Work planning
. Data inventory for sources of
data
. Review and analysis of data quality
from available sources
. Selection of indicators in addition
to the global MDG indicators
. Data collection
. Data entry and verification
. Database launch with advocacy
materials
. Database user training
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A: DevInfo 5.0 comes in two
separate applications
1. DevInfo User application
2. DevInfo Database Administration
application
DevInfo Database Administration
application has 11 modules primarily
for data management:
- DevInfo Template (database administrators
have the option to add their own
sets of local indicators to their
databases; a Database Template contains
all of the following elements: indicators,
indicator definitions, indicator
sectors, indicator classes, area
IDs, area names, units, subgroups.)
- DevInfo Data Entry
- DevInfo Customize (local administrators
can change the "look" of the software
and adapt it to national specifications)
- DevInfo Language (local administrators
can translate the strings of the
software into local languages)
- Tools
- Reports
- Metadata
- Mapping
- Users
- Gallery
- Data Exchange
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A: DevInfo is developed using
Microsoft .NET technology.
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A: Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000
or XP. Microsoft Office.
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A: DevInfo supports an un-limited
number of levels of geographical
coverage: from global level to regional,
sub-regional, national and sub-national
down to sub-district and village
levels (including schools, health
centers, water points).
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A: Yes. DevInfo data can be exported
to XLS, HTML, PDF, CSV and
XML files.
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A: Yes. Data can be imported from
spreadsheets in a standardized format.
DevInfo has a data exchange module
for importing data from industry-standard
statistics software packages.
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A: Yes, the UN system is committed
to support DevInfo through UN Country
Teams and the DevInfo Support Group.
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A: The UN system will support the
organization of global and regional
training. This will include Training
of Trainers for further capacity
building. It will also include e-learning
courses.
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