Big Data — Big Solutions

By Lidia Nalbandyan as part of the 2018 +SocialGood series on emerging technologies

We live in a world where data has become an integral part of our lives. Information like our online behavior, purchasing decisions, and interests are now gathered into one big system. The power of big data is tremendous and it has opened the door for many possible solutions and ideas that can advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Many organizations, such as the United Nations, utilize this effective tool to implement better strategies and more effective policies. It also allows many countries to track the success they have achieved so far with the SDGs. In fact, later this month, the representatives of 43 countries will attend the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York to evaluate the progress that has been made so far with the Global Goals.

But what exactly is big data? Big data can be explained as extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behavior and interactions. It is different from other data systems because it is very precise and up-to-date. Unlike any other data system, it allows a wide range of sources to be processed (such as images, video files, etc.). Because of its wide and varied sources, big data has the ability to track information and recommend policy like no system ever has before.

Implementing the SDGs: So, how can big data pave the path towards achieving the SDGs? And how can it enhance the humanitarian work worldwide? Below, you will find examples of some innovative solutions already being used to make the world a better place.

• About 800 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy lifestyle. Many organizations are taking necessary actions to decrease these numbers and finally defeat hunger(SDG #2) with the help of big data. In Pakistan, satellite imagery is helping World Food Programme employees to deliver food more effectively, by showing where people with the most needs are located.
• The lives of refugees particularly have been touched by some of the solutions that are being implemented by the UN and its agencies. UNHCR has recently launched a new campaign, the goal of which is to improve refugee camp planning and maintenance using satellite imagery.
• Big data can even predict the timing, location, and trajectory of diseases and epidemics. Lives of thousands have been saved in Brazil due to AIME, a lifesaving service that used big data to forecast Dengue Disease with 85% accuracy.
• The impact of big data is evident on all continents of the world. In March of this year, the Africa Regional Data Cube (ARDC) was launched to detect floods and ensure food security in 5 African countries: Kenya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Ghana. Because of the success that has been achieved with ARDC, many countries are looking forward to utilizing and benefiting from the data cube.

Tracking progress: In order to make the SDGs a reality, it is important to regularly evaluate the implemented strategies. If the applied approaches prove to be successful, other countries can benefit from them as well. For example, Pulse Lab Jakarta collaborated with Carlos III University of Madrid and UNICEF to identify a human development index in Spain and Indonesia, using information derived from tweets. This method was so successful that it was later implemented in Brazil and Mexico.

Countries are working together to build databases and utilize existing information to make better decisions. For example, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data brings together governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations around the world to best utilize the data revolution to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. See how they are using data to support every SDG here.

The High-Level Political Forum: The 2030 Agenda for SDGs urges member states to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven. From July 9–18, global leaders will come together to share their voluntary, state-led reviews at the High-Level Political Forum. This forum serves as a platform to cultivate new ideas and find new ways for sustainable development.

Monitoring the SDGs is central to making progress against them. New uses of mobile, satellite, and other technology are vital to supporting the gathering, analyzing, and distributing of data. Join +SocialGood this month as we explore how these technologies are being used to support SDG review processes, such as the High-Level Political Forum, and to forward the Global Goals.

Stay-tuned for our #SocialGoodTech Twitter chat on big data and development! Join the conversation at 10am ET on July 26. Learn more here.