Presentations in this session:

• Jesse Wright, Solid Project Lead, The Open Data Institute

Exciting announcement and a presentation on Solid's 3-year roadmap under the stewardship of The Open Data Institute.

• M Celine Takatsuno, Technology & Research Fellow, Better Deal for Data | Tech Matters

The MyData movement has sparked many exciting and innovative ideas, technologies, and companies intended to empower individuals to benefit from their data. Yet, in practice, even these person-centric innovations can leave vulnerable populations behind – contributing to the very power asymmetry the MyData principles are meant to cure. Nowhere is this more evident than in the social sector, where organizations with the fewest resources often work with the most sensitive data. When this data is shared ethically and responsibly, its power to positively impact people’s lives grows exponentially. When it is not, the potential for division, exploitation, and harm abounds.

From agriculture and AI to climate, research, youth, and more, individuals and communities have lost trust in how their data is used, creating barriers to data collection and sharing. Critical data is locked in silos, leading to a fragmented understanding of the complex systems they are intended to improve. Much like MyData, the Better Deal for Data seeks to change this. We believe the world needs a stronger social contract, a shared commitment to good data stewardship, transparency, and trust, for non-governmental organizations and the people they serve.

In this presentation, we will discuss the unique power dynamics and challenges experienced in the social impact sector, as seen through collected real-world data stories. We will present the Better Deal for Data, a practical data governance initiative launching later this year, exploring its relationship to MyData, and inviting the community to get involved, for the benefit of both people and planet.