As the global community gathers in Medellin for the UN World Data Forum, UNICEF is leading critical conversations on how data can be leveraged to protect, empower and elevate the voices of children. With a diverse audience of over 20,000 stakeholders from governments, civil society, the private sector, donors and international organizations, this forum is a powerful platform to showcase UNICEF’s commitment to advancing children’s rights through data.
UNICEF’s Leadership in Data for Children: A Call to Action
As co-leader of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High Impact Initiative on the Power of Data, UNICEF is reshaping how data support children globally. Collaborating with national statistics offices and ministries, UNICEF drives country-level changes that align with national priorities, empowering children as digital citizens for the future. This leadership shapes data governance to benefit children, contributing to the SDGs by 2030. UNICEF calls for policies that ensure data systems support children’s rights, protect their well-being, and enable better outcomes through responsible data use.
Amplifying UNICEF’s Role in Data Governance
Data are powerful tools for progress, but they can also present risks, particularly for vulnerable children. UNICEF’s Data Governance fit for Children (DG4C) initiative fosters responsible, transparent approaches toward children’s data. By building coalitions with governments, private companies, and academic institutions, UNICEF promotes data governance practices that prioritise children’s welfare across systems, policies and programmes. The UNWDF Commitment to Data Governance Fit for Children (DG4C) is a pioneering initiative that strives to ensure that children’s and youth’s rights are prioritised in the rapidly evolving world of data and AI. Spearheaded by UNICEF’s Chief Data Office, it brings together the Early Childhood Authority of Abu Dhabi DevelopMetrics, The Datasphere Initiative, The GovLab, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and Highway Child. Importantly, it centres young people to amplify their perspectives and co-create solutions for more responsible data – for them and with them.
Centring Youth Voices in Data Governance
UNICEF prioritises including young voices in data governance discussions. By organizing child- and youth-led sessions at the forum, UNICEF empowers young people to engage in cross-generational dialogues about responsible data use, artificial intelligence, and the importance of privacy. These sessions give youth a platform to speak directly to decision-makers and advocate for policies that affect their lives, ensuring that the future of data governance reflects their rights and needs.
Data Guilds, Data Tribes: Fostering Change and Innovation through Organic Community-Driven Approaches
UNICEF will highlight the role of community-driven approaches in addressing the digital divide and fostering innovation in data. Through the Frontier Data Network and partnerships with organizations like the Development Data Partnership, UNICEF empowers local communities to drive data solutions that meet children’s needs, strengthen data skills, and promote knowledge sharing. This collaborative approach ensures that children’s rights are upheld and their needs are prioritised.
Advancing the Measurement of Violence Against Children
Reliable data on violence against children (VAC) is crucial for effective prevention and response. UNICEF, in partnership with organizations like INEGI-Mexico and Middlesex University, is strengthening frameworks to measure VAC. Through the International Classification on Violence Against Children (ICVAC), UNICEF is defining and categorizing violence in both traditional and technology-facilitated contexts, ensuring that data informs policies to protect children from harm.
Strengthening Child Health and Nutrition Data through the Data Strings Installation and Healthy Diets Monitoring Initiative
UNICEF is spotlighting the Data Strings Installation, aimed at improving monitoring of child health and nutrition. Through the Healthy Diets Monitoring Initiative (HDMI), UNICEF is working with global partners to enhance data collection on child nutrition. This initiative helps guide policies and improve health outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Strengthening Administrative Data on Children’s Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean
In collaboration with UNECLAC, INE-Chile, and INE-Uruguay, UNICEF is working to improve the use of administrative data for child-focused statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean. By integrating fragmented data systems and conducting capacity building, UNICEF helps ensure that child development statistics are reliable and actionable across the region.
UNICEF’s Role in Mixed Movement Monitoring in the Americas
In 2023, UNICEF partnered with UNHCR and WFP to launch a regional system to monitor migration trends, child rights, and food security in the Americas. The system tracks over 20,000 surveys in countries like Guatemala, Mexico, and Panama, guiding humanitarian responses. With the use of a WhatsApp chatbot, UNICEF ensures that migrant needs are met and that data is collected in real-time to inform response plans.
Climate Mobility and Childhood: Addressing Data Gaps for Better Child Protection
In partnership with UNHCR, IOM, and other organizations, UNICEF is addressing critical data gaps for Children on the Move (CoM) due to climate change. Limited data leaves many needs unmet, and the session led by the International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC) aims to strengthen child-centred data, assess existing data, and develop strategies to support climate-affected children with data-driven policies.
Building Trust, Protection, and Ethics in Data Collection with and About Adolescent Girls
In the Sahel, adolescent girls face significant challenges with limited opportunities and a lack of voice. UNICEF, in collaboration with the Population Council (GIRL Centre), is leading a session to improve data collection on adolescent girls, focusing on trust, protection, and ethics. This session will share findings from a 2023 study in Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, addressing areas such as bodily integrity, economic empowerment, education, and psychosocial well-being.
Looking Ahead: UNICEF’s Vision Beyond 2024
As UNICEF looks ahead to 2025 and beyond, the organization remains committed to advocating for child-centred data governance. Through its participation in the UN World Data Forum, UNICEF shapes policies and partnerships to secure a more equitable digital future for children. Ongoing collaboration with global stakeholders will continue to harness data to safeguard every child’s rights and potential, driving meaningful change for children worldwide.
