The Trust for the Americas’ Public-Private Data Partnerships as a Case Study at the UN Internet Governance Forum 2023

Kyoto, Japan. October 8, 2023. – Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager at The Trust for the Americas, was a distinguished participant at the 18th annual United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) held in Kyoto, Japan, from October 8 to 12, 2023. Hosted by the Government of Japan, this year's IGF revolved around the theme, "The Internet We Want - Empowering All People." Rodrigo's presence at the event highlighted the remarkable work of The Trust for the Americas as a pivotal case study developed by Cepei and LIRNEasia. The panel named "Public-Private Data Partnerships in the Global South” presented challenges, opportunities and impact when private sector, governments and civil society attempt to form data partnerships. 

LIRNEasia, an organization dedicated to catalyzing policy change and solutions through research in the Asia-Pacific region, invited Rodrigo to share insights into the transformative power of public-private data partnerships in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Caribbean region. These partnerships are instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of stakeholders involved in SDG implementation, particularly in regions where progress has been slower. 

For several years, Cepei has collaborated with LIRNEasia. As a data-driven think tank, Cepei has been at the forefront of fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue, generating evidence for decision-making, and expanding the production and use of open data across sectors and regions. Specializing in Latin America and the Caribbean while working in the Global South, Cepei has made significant strides in empowering individuals and institutions to discover pathways toward sustainable development through data and analysis.    

In 2021, both entities embarked on the SDG Acceleration Roadmap project. This initiative, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), explores the private sector's role in shaping public policy through data-related contributions in the Global South. Together, they have made notable progress, successfully documenting 394 data actions across 94 countries. 

For several years, Cepei,  has collaborated with LIRNEasia. In 2021, both entities embarked on the SDG Acceleration Roadmap project, backed by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to investigate the private sector's role in shaping public policy through data-related contributions in the Global South. So far, this initiative has successfully documented 394 data actions across 94 countries.  

Moreover, this year, they released an insightful paper featuring eight cases showcasing progress in public-private data partnerships for SDGs in the Global South. Among the eight case studies, The Trust for the Americas stood out for its role in the Caribbean. As an affiliated non-profit to the Organization of American States (OAS), The Trust has been instrumental in promoting public and private sector collaborations in the Americas. Its strong private sector orientation and affiliation with OAS make it a valuable convener for development initiatives.  

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Trust's emphasis on capacity building in the Caribbean, particularly in digital skills, aligns seamlessly with SDGs related to education, employability, and community development. Research involving The Trust and partners in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Belize has yielded fundamental insights and recommendations for future regional public-private data initiatives. 

As the region continues to address digital skill deficits, the study encourages private sector actors to contribute beyond capacity-building by incorporating value-added interventions into their efforts. This comprehensive approach is poised to drive holistic development in the Caribbean region. 

Rodrigo Iriani's participation at the Internet Governance Forum 2023 has shed light on the invaluable contributions of organizations like The Trust for the Americas as convenors in advancing sustainable development through public-private data initiatives. Cepei and LIRNEasia's ongoing research and collaboration inspire positive change and innovation in pursuing the SDGs 

***    

About The Trust for the Americas:     

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.     

More information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org      

About Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA):    

DIA is a regional initiative of The Trust for the Americas that was launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialized curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures.