BACKGROUND
Data is rapidly gaining recognition as a valuable asset for international cooperation, offering critical insights across diverse domains such as humanitarian, crisis prevention and addressing climate change.
​
Within the landscape of the UN Secretary General's Strategy on New Technology, Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, Data Strategy, and most recently Our Common Agenda, a notable emphasis has been placed on recognizing data's central role as a strategic asset that extends throughout the entirety of the UN's work and beyond.
Current UN initiatives, including the Global Digital Compact, establish the groundwork for collaborative data endeavors that align with the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
​
Data Innovation Lab is part of these processes and provides an innovative platform poised to harness the potential of data for a more inclusive foreign policy, international cooperation, and sustainable development.
​
​
ABOUT
Established by the German Federal Foreign Office and administered by GovTech Campus Germany in June 2023, the Data Innovation Lab aims to play a pivotal role in advancing a future where human-centered and data-driven insights are integrated to foster sustainable development, technological progress, and global cooperation.
This new dynamic platform facilitates national, regional and global collaboration and partnerships among experts in foreign policy, local actors, civil society organizations, UN agencies, tech entrepreneurs, governments, the private sector, and academia.
By testing and refining various policy and creative data and AI solutions to advance foreign policy, the Data Innovation Lab provides an testing ground for innovative collaboration and tech discovery, promoting ethical practices, and supporting multilateral processes.
OBJECTIVES
DATA GOVERNANCE & AI ETHICS
Data Innovation Lab serves as a hub for new ideas and participates in as well as shapes current discussions & debates on setting standards and practices for ethical use of data and innovation in the foreign policy context.
​
CREATIVE DATA SOLUTIONS
To foster innovation and generate analytical insights on data and technology use in foreign policy, Data Innovation Lab connects cutting-edge technology and data talent with foreign policy experts.
DATA AWARENESS AND LITERACY
To increase the ability to use data and emerging technologies for foreign policy, Data Innovation Lab promotes data and AI ethics principles, standards, and tools by organizing educational seminars, trainings, and workshops globally.
ACTIVITIES
Policy papers provide thorough analyses and evidence-based recommendations that focus on addressing the issues and challenges associated with the utilization of data and AI in the context of evidence-based foreign policy.
POLICY PAPERS
OUR WORK ALIGNS WITH
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education
Our Common Agenda is an agenda of action, designed to strengthen and accelerate multilateral agreements – particularly the 2030 Agenda – and make a tangible difference to people’s lives. Translating its recommendations into action will require action by the Member States of the United Nations, supported by the United Nations system and other stakeholders.
The Common Agenda proposes a Global Digital Compact to be agreed at the Summit of the Future in September 2024 through a technology track involving all stakeholders: governments, the United Nations system, the private sector (including tech companies), civil society, grass-roots organizations, academia, and individuals, including youth.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education
FOUNDERS
