Putting data in the hands of the community: A path to greater transparency, participation, and inclusion

The Mekong Research Symposium, held in Chiang Rai, Thailand in March 2023, explored the importance of using data for development solutions. Among the many topics discussed was the importance of putting data in the hands of the community, which emphasizes local knowledge and community engagement as crucial in decision-making processes and participatory approaches to development, especially in transboundary cooperation.

The challenges surrounding formal data-sharing regulations and institutional stakes can be solved by setting up institutions and agreements to deal with specific issues efficiently, improving communication expertise, and simplifying and adapting the types of data shared to fit the purpose of the user service.

Also important is improving connectivity between regional and local levels of collaboration, mobilizing collaboration, and considering the impact on vulnerability and capacity for vulnerability when consulting.

SEI Asia’s Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Thanapon Piman, said: "We need to break the walls to enhance data accessibility and sharing. Data should be brought as close as feasible to the local level. We need to find platforms to help communities voice their concerns to be part of water resources planning and decision-making processes."

Photo credit: Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership

Importance of inclusive data practices

Inclusive and equitable data practices include those that involve communities in technology design and mapping, engage community members in all aspects of data collection and analysis, address gaps in data collection and analysis, and integrate ethical and gender considerations. The symposium highlighted the importance of integrating the experiences and perspectives of local communities, and the need to include their knowledge in the decision-making processes to ensure that the solutions developed are relevant and effective for their needs.

Elizabeth Thipphawong, Civil Society Specialist, from Wildlife Fund (WWF), said: "Quantitative data alone is not enough. Qualitative data has equal significance to quantitative data, especially local knowledge, which is sometimes disregarded."

Translating Data into policy

Translating data into policy requires many conversations, and taking these key messages into account can help stakeholders in the region work together to achieve sustainable development goals.

One of the participants stressed the significance of effective communication, not just in translating words, but also conveying the essence and importance of the message. Improving our understanding of the needs of communities and policymakers and finding ways to better convey critical messages to them can help bridge the gap between them.  This approach is essential in empowering communities to make informed decisions about their development needs.

The power of local knowledge

The local community's responses to the development of the Pak Mun dam in northeast Thailand and how they took the initiative to conduct their own research (Thai Baan) demonstrate the power of local knowledge and community engagement in decision-making processes.

The Pak Mun’s community's use of research to influence the state and dam operators to change the operating rules to help fish migration and local fishing livelihoods illustrated how local knowledge can inform and influence government decision-making.

Another example was WWF's use of local community data to register the Lower Songkram Basin in northeast Thailand as a Ramsar wetlands site of international importance.  It shows how local knowledge can be used to protect natural resources and critically endangered ecosystems.

Photo credit: Sustainable Infrastructure Partnership

Addressing power dynamics and marginalization in data inclusion

Elizabeth Thipphawong of WWF also highlighted the difference between marginalization and vulnerability, and how they are often used interchangeably but are not the same.

Vulnerability can impact anyone, but marginalization is different and depends on why people are included in the conversation and their capacity for vulnerability. She said that it is important to consider the impact on vulnerability and the capacity for vulnerability when consulting with marginalized communities.

Marginalized people in vulnerable situations often have high adaptive capacity and resilience due to often coping without any system support. The speaker encouraged rethinking how these terms are viewed and incorporated into the consultation processes in development projects.

It is important to acknowledge and address power dynamics in data inclusion, as data can lead to perpetuating existing inequalities and power imbalances. It is essential to work towards inclusive and equitable data practices by considering intersectionality, involving communities in technology design and mapping, engaging community members in all aspects of data collection and analysis, addressing gaps in data collection and analysis, and integrating ethical considerations into all aspects of data collection and analysis.

Collaboration and partnerships are key

The countries in the Mekong Region have differing priorities and concerns, and establishing trust among these countries is critical for transboundary cooperation. Sharing their common concerns can help bridge the gaps between civil society organizations, communities, and policymakers and create a common space for collaboration. This includes promoting developing better data-sharing mechanisms, engaging local communities, and integrating ethical and gender considerations into decision-making processes. Continued research and innovation are crucial to generate new insights and solutions to the complex challenges faced by the region. Overall, many speakers in the symposium emphasized the need for continued collaboration and partnership between different stakeholders to achieve sustainable development goals in the Mekong region.

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The Mekong Research Symposium 2023, held in March in Chiang Rai, brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, young professionals, and stakeholders from different countries in the Mekong Region. With the theme "Data into Action for a Resilient Mekong," the symposium aimed to generate discussions and insights on various aspects of the Mekong River Basin. This year’s symposium featured several sessions with various themes and speakers, including data for decision-making, innovation in data and decision support, transboundary cooperation, nature-based solutions, and inclusive data principles and approaches.