Data Dive @ The World Bank

Join The World Bank and Data Community DC for a Developmental Challenges DATA DIVE to tackle the world's most pressing challenges through the power of data analytics! From climate resilience to poverty alleviation, the World Bank has data that can unlock solutions. In this intensive collaboration, data scientists, data experts, and innovators will harness cutting-edge analytics to transform raw data into actionable insights that can reshape global development. Together, we'll identify patterns, uncover hidden opportunities, and forge data-driven strategies that could impact millions of lives. This is a chance to help solve global challenges – one dataset at a time. Your expertise could be the key to unlocking solutions for a more equitable and sustainable world.

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Join us from 12-8PM on December 18th for a DATA DIVE at the world bank.

Bring a laptop and be prepared to use your data skills (and/or learn new skills fast) on real data to help the world bank work on real global developmental challenges.

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## Agenda:

• 11:00 - 12:00: Doors Open & Security Screening
• 12:00 - 1:00: Lunch & networking
• 1:00 - 1:10: Opening remarks
• 1:10 - 1:30: Keynote presentation
• 1:30 - 1:45: Challenge overviews
• 1:45 - 2:00: Data overviews & Team Formation
• 2:00 - 5:00: Working time
• 5:00 - 6:00: Dinner & working time
• 6:00 - 6:15: Submissions & Refreshments
• 6:15 - 7:15: Presentations
• 7:15 - 7:30: Judge Deliberations / People’s vote.
• 7:30 - 8:00: Awards and closing.

# FEATURED CHALLENGES:

• 1. JOBS.
• Context: Development happens through Jobs. As economies grow, people join the labor force and find work, workers get better at the jobs they do, or they move to better jobs. Recognizing the importance of Jobs for development, World Bank clients and partners have made it a focus area for support and investment.
• Challenge: By combining micro and macro data, can we learn more about how people in LICs, LMIC’s, UMICs and HICs benefit from economic growth through jobs ? What policies, investments and trade regimes are associated with better jobs outcomes?
• Data Source(s): World Bank Jobs Indicators Database.
• 2. PEOPLE.
• Context: Investing in "human capital" (i.e. the potential of individuals in a society) is an important driver of that society’s long-term success and well-being. However, governments and international organizations have historically under-invested in people, in part because the benefits are typically slow to occur and are hard to measure. This is starting to change – some international organizations are looking to support "human capital", for example, by investing more in the health and education of people in a given country – but more insights are needed.
• CHALLENGE: Using your own (or an existing) definition of “human capital”, how can countries leverage technology/tools to strengthen their human capital strategies and enable more targeted investments in human capital, for rapid improvements? How can organizations like the World Bank better target investments to benefit children, adolescents, and youth in low-and-middle-income countries more effectively?
• Data Source(s): World Bank Human Capital data; World Bank: health data; World Bank: education data.
• 3. FRAGILITY.
• Context: Fragility, conflict, and violence is a critical development challenge that threatens efforts to end extreme poverty; it affects both low- and middle-income countries and the share of the extreme poor living in conflict-affected situations is expected to rise to more than 60% by 2030.
• Challenge: what is the relationship between development spending and support for emerging from fragility or conflict? How does this change over time? How can funds be used as effectively as possible?
• Data Source(s): ACLED (database of conflict events); GDELT news/events; OECD financing; IATI data; World Bank: World Governance Indicators; OECE catalog; Kaggle
• 4. CLIMATE.
• Context: Climate change is threatening global water and food security, agricultural supply chains, and many coastal cities. The poor are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the need for action is urgent. The (2015) Paris Agreement set a target of $100 billion to address the climate mitigation and adaptation needs of developing countries. While much of this financing comes from governments and international organizations, efforts to track commitments, spending, and impact are often unclear.
• Challenge: What other data sources can be used to analyze compliance with climate change international agreements – how is the world doing? What are effective ways to communicate the effectiveness or impact of this financing? What is the influence of private companies in climate change initiatives? What is the relationship between complying with climate change international agreements and other international agreements?
• Data Source(s): World Bank: World Development Indicators (Climate Change); Climate Change Knowledge Portal; Climate Change and Development Reports (CCDRs); Water Data Portal; IMF: Climate Change Data portal; US Government: Climate.gov (Global Climate Dashboard); United Nations: Global Set of Climate Change Statistics & Indicators. UN Climate Reports.
• 5. DIGITAL SERVICE DELIVERY.
• Context: The rapid advancement of digital technologies presents a significant opportunity for governments to enhance public service delivery. However, challenges such as digital divide, data privacy concerns, and the integration of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI need to be addressed. Effective digital service delivery can lead to more inclusive, transparent, and efficient governance.
• Challenge:
• How can governments utilize blockchain technology to ensure the integrity and transparency of public records and transactions?
• What are the advantages and potential shortcomings of using generative AI to process and analyze large datasets for improving public service delivery?
• What strategies can be employed to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to digital services for all citizens?
• Data Source(s):
• World Bank: GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI) Data Dashboard
• World Bank: World Development Indicators
• World Bank: Digital Government Indicators
• World Bank: ID4D Global Dataset
• OECD: OECD Digital Government Index
• OECD: OECD Government at a Glance
• UN: UN E-Government Survey 2024
• European Commission: Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)

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