State of Open Data

Histories and Horizons

  • About
  • Acknowledgements
  • Foreword
  • Introduction
  • Conclusion and Recommendations

It’s been ten years since open data first broke onto the global stage. Over the past decade, thousands of programmes and projects around the world have worked to open data and use it to address a myriad of social and economic challenges.

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The editors would like to thank the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for its support of the State of Open Data project from inception to conclusion, without which this publication would not have been possible.

Acknowledgements About the editors

By taking stock of the current state of open data, this book acts as a key resource and charts a course for future action to keep open data on track as a transformative tool of more open, collaborative, innovative, and participatory governance.

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A decade ago, open data was more or less just an idea, emerging as a rough point of consensus for action among pro-democracy practitioners, internet entrepreneurs, open source advocates, civic technology developers, and open knowledge campaigners. Ten years on, open data is much more than an idea. There are new challenges, but also new opportunities.

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In this concluding chapter, we contemplate the impact that open data has had in addressing these challenges, reflect on the current strengths and weaknesses of the open data movement, and set out a series of recommendations with the goal of strengthening the future contribution of open data to sustainable and democratic development.

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Open Data Sectors and Communities

Section Introduction

Open Data Sectors and Communities

The chapters in this section explore 16 different sectors and communities where open data has been applied.

Issues in Open Data

Section Introduction

Issues in Open Data

The chapters in this section address a number of cross-cutting issues that shape the current state of open data.

Open Data Stakeholders

Section Introduction

Open Data Stakeholders

The chapters in this section explore the various roles of the major stakeholders that have shaped the development of the open data ecosystem.

Open Data Around the World

Section Introduction

Open Data Around the World

The chapters in this section look at open data in different regions of the world.