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| DevInfo Field Reference Group Discusses Challenges, Way Forward |
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The DevInfo Field Reference Group met from 26-30 April 2010 in Delhi and Jaipur, India, bringing together experienced DevInfo focal points from across the globe to take stock of the current status of DevInfo implementation. The objectives of the meeting included introducing and testing new DevInfo features, tools and technologies; assessing opportunities; and seeking solutions to current constraints in DevInfo implementation towards positive impact.
An important element of the meeting was reviewing the global, regional and national |
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| launches of DevInfo 6.0 and the challenges encountered in implementing the new technology across different regions. Country focal points shared highlights of current DevInfo use and implementation in their countries, providing excellent ideas for others to adapt and use in their own national contexts. |
For example, Lucio Goncalves, DevInfo focal point for Brazil, shared how leading organizations in Brazil are supporting and developing DevInfo within their frameworks by including DevInfo as a specific topic in umbrella agreements. Donneth Edmondson, DevInfo focal point for Jamaica, shared how DevInfo use can be encouraged through the creation of a Steering Committee and by aligning DevInfo with national strategic plans. Nikensari Setiadi, DevInfo focal point for Indonesia, shared how data from DevInfo related to birth registration, education and student scholarships were being used as evidence to shape policy and decision making in Indonesia.
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Another interesting presentation came from Jeff Kupperman, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, USA, who delivered an update on di Gameworks (www.devinfo.org/di_gameworks.html) - taking human development data to the world's young people through DevInfo gaming technologies. He shared how interactive games based on DevInfo data can greatly enhance students’ learning of serious topics by adding the important elements of creativity and fun. He also cited examples of how young people can make a difference in the world through communication and collaboration.
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Another important meeting component was strengthening the global network of DevInfo Master Trainers and focal points on multiple levels, including capacity building as well as soliciting feedback on key issues. Participants were asked to share and exchange ideas on how broaden the use of DevInfo as a tool for monitoring and promoting human development at the local, country and global levels. The ideas generated from these active discussions will serve as key inputs for future DevInfo work planning.
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Additional meeting highlights included reviewing OpenDevInfo - the open source version of DevInfo database technology - and showcasing several new tools and technologies such as di Index (a tool for comprehensive monitoring of DevInfo), di Visualizer (a tool for visualizing data in multiple ways), and di Monitoring (a tool for monitoring progress within a common framework). Participants were also encouraged to begin using and even adapting several newly-released DevInfo products, including di Profiles (www.devinfo.info.org/di_profile.html), CensusInfo (www.devinfo.info/censusinfo), Immunization Info
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(www.devinfo.info/immunizationinfo/dashboard) and CME Info (www.childmortality.org).
The vision that DevInfo supports is a day when member states use common database standards for tracking national human development indicators, containing high-quality data with adequate coverage and depth to sustain good governance around the agenda of achieving the MDGs. Each year, a meeting of Master Trainers and Field Reference Focal Points is organized to guide and support the realization of this vision. Presently, with DevInfo adaptations in over 130 countries in the world, focus has shifted to use of the platform for advocacy and evidence-based decision-making by UN agencies, government and civil society in policy choices for human development.
For more information, please contact Jon Kapp, Director, DevInfo Support Group, at jkapp@devinfo.info.
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