Our goal for this session is to encourage a broad range of people and their organizations to think about the different forms data agency can take, the trade-offs and complexities involved, and possible routes to increasing data agency. Each participant should gain new perspectives and ideas on what realizing data agency could look like for individuals and groups. Through the session, we will gain an understanding of the extent to which current models and approaches to data agency match up to people’s aspirations and ideals. This fits into the work plan of the Data Values Project to create a manifesto for advocacy based on open consultation in 2021-22. We will also invite participants to continue engaging in events and activities of the project.

From our network in global development, we know that data is both an expression of power and a means to it. That’s why this session fits squarely within the “Rethinking Power and Ethics” space. In the Data Values Project, we are seeking to build a global consensus on the steps needed to ensure that development data creates a fair, equitable, and sustainable future—in which all voices are heard and knowledge and data from the marginalized communities around the world is valued and protected.

As issues of bias, discrimination, and power asymmetries take the center ground in the debate around the future of AI, technology, and data, we seek to convene this workshop to reconsider how we define agency as it relates to data and explore the different routes to realizing genuine inclusion in data systems.

Before this workshop, we will have an open call to MozFest participants and our network for inputs to co-create this future world scenario and shape the agenda for the session.

During the session, we’ll use small group discussions to facilitate open discussions between the participants. We will provide an optional journey mapping template to help guide the group discussions, along with having a facilitator/storyteller in each group. If we only have a few participants, we won’t use breakout groups and instead will nurture an intimate discussion in the group. If there are lots of participants, we can scale up or down the number and size of the groups as needed, utilizing Zoom’s breakout room functionality.

Insights from this session will be built into the broader policy consultation and advocacy campaign of the Data Values Project. The ideas, approaches, and trade-offs discussed in this session will feed into the Project’s focus on what genuine inclusion looks like and how to make this standard practice. We aim to continue to engage with interested participants from this session as we build out and amplify a collective manifesto for reshaping how development actors (namely, governments, UN agencies, and civil society) approach data collection, use, and governance.

Participants can contribute to the Data Values Project by writing a post for our blog, contributing to our weekly newsletter on current events in data for development, participating in a focus group or research project, organizing or participating in a Fireside Chat, interacting directly with project leaders from our network, and more. (Links in box below.)