ENCE
Registrations for UN Datathon 2023 open until September 30
August 04, 2023 10h00 AM | Last Updated: August 07, 2023 04h09 PM
Students and professionals in the area of data science can register until September 30 in the United Nations Datathon 2023, organized y the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and by the UN Regional Hub for Big Data in Brazil, headquartered at the National School of Statistical Sciences (ENCE). The challenge will be held in virtual and face-to-face formats, between the 3rd and 6th of November. In Brazil, it will take place at the IBGE facilities in Rio de Janeiro. You can register here.
Datathon participants will develop innovative applications, tools or statistical models for the use of data, combining geospatial data with data from other sources, with the aim of advancing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The winning projects will have the chance of being put into practice by the UN and its partners. In addition, applicants may have their works exhibited or presented at the Festival de Datos, in Punta del Este, from November 7th to 9th.
The UN 2030 Agenda was established during the organization's General Assembly in 2015, and consists of a global plan made of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The commitment made by the countries involves the adoption of bold and transformative measures. Health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, safe water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, reduced inequalities, eradicating poverty and taking action against global climate change are some of the goals.
“One of the missions of the IBGE is to encourage studies in the area of data science. Supporting the Datathon, an international event, is yet another example of the institution's pioneering spirit, as it innovates while discussing the use of Big Data for the production of public statistics", says Patricia Tavares, manager of the Coordination of technology (COTEC) of the Directorate of Information Technology (DTI) at the IBGE and coordinator of the Datathon in Rio de Janeiro.
Datathon 2023 takes place after the success of the three hackathons organized by the United Nations. The target audience comprises researchers, students, academics, professionals from statistical institutes or government agencies, from the private sector, and individuals with experience in data science, statistics, economics or social sciences. To participate in the event, applicants should gather in teams of three to five people.
“When registrations are over, they will be analyzed by a committee that will decide which ones are eligible for the Datathlon. There will be also four webinars, the first one in August, addressing themes related to the competition”, adds Ms. Tavares.
The selected applicants for the UN Datathlon 2023 will be announced on October 10. The winners will be revealed on December 18, with the awards ceremony scheduled for January 18, 2024.
The UN Regional Hub for Big Data was formalized in April 2021 through a memorandum of understanding between the IBGE and the UNSD. The hub’s purpose is to foster cooperation between statistical institutes in Latin America and the Caribbeans in order to contribute to the advance of the use of Big Data and data science in the modernization of official statistical production in the region. Currently there are regional hubs of Big Data in Brazil, China, United Arab Emirates and Ruanda.
