UNESCO has partnered with the Committee on Data (CODATA) of the International Science Council (ISC) to explore how the principles of open science as outlined in the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science could guide efficient and effective policies for data sharing in times of crises taking into account existing international policies and action frameworks.
The UNESCO-CODATA Data Policy for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science (DPTC) project aims at developing guidance and tools for data policy required to address crises within the framework of the UNESCO Open Science Recommendation. The DPTC’s work is designed to contribute to the UNESCO Open Science Toolkit. Comprising a set of guidances, factsheets, and a checklist, the deliverables contribute to the needs of scientists, policymakers, responders, communities, and citizens for addressing crisis situations.
This toolkit is intended to support the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science while contributing to evidence-informed decision-making in the management and governance of crises with reference to the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2022) and the International Science Council (ISC)’s Protecting Science in Times of Crisis: How do we stop being reactive, and become more proactive? (2023).
This consultative meeting brings together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from around the globe to discuss the intricacies of applying open science in real-world crises, ensuring that the collective wisdom and data generated through scientific endeavours are openly available to address urgent global challenges.
The draft deliverables of the DPTC will be presented for discussion and review, as follows:
The meeting will be held in Geneva at the Bureau International D’education Unesco / UNESCO International Bureau of Education (15 route des Morillons, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex) and online.
| Time (CEST) | Topic | Speaker |
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome | UNESCO, CODATA |
| 10:10 – 10:20 | Why a data policy approach to crises is required | Francis P. Crawley |
| 10:20 – 10:30 | Open science as a framework for data collection and management in times of crises | Ana Persic |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | UNESCO-CODATA Data Policy for Times of Crisis (DPTC) project | Virginia Murray |
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Presentation of the key deliverables of the UNESCO-CODATA Data Policy for Times of Crisis (DPTC) project | Burcak Basbug |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Discussion with the following discussants: WHO, WMO, UNHCR, CERN, UNEP | Moderated by Virginia Murray |
| 11:30 – 11:50 | Dissemination and implementation of the DPTC outputs | Virginia Murray, Simon Hodson, Ana Persic |
| 11:50 – 11:55 | Launch of the global for consultation on the following DPTC deliverables: – Factsheet on data policy for times of crisis facilitated by open science – Guidance for scientists on data policy for times of crisis facilitated by open science – Guidance for policymakers on data policy for times of crisis facilitated by open science – Checklist for data policy for times of crisis facilitated by open science | Francis P. Crawley |
| 11:55 – 12:00 | Closing | CODATA, UNESCO |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Cocktail / lunch |
Photo by Laurie Decroux on Unsplash
