Our vision, mission and principles

Principle 1: We believe that a strong data infrastructure is the foundation for building an open, trustworthy data ecosystem on a global scale and that this can help address our most pressing challenges

Principle 2: Strong data infrastructure includes data across the spectrum, from open to shared to closed. But the best possible foundation is open data, supported and sustained as data infrastructure. Only with this foundation will people, businesses and governments be able to realise the potential of data infrastructure across society and the economy

Principle 3: For data to work for everyone, it needs to work across borders – geographic, organisational, economic, cultural
and political. For this to happen ethically and sustainably, there needs to be trust – trust in data and trust in those who share it

Principle 4: There is a greater need than ever for trusted, independent organisations to help people across all sectors, economies and societies benefit from better data infrastructure

Principle 5: For data to work for everyone, those collecting and using it must be highly alert to inequalities, biases and power asymmetries. All organisations working in data must take proactive steps to contribute fully and consciously to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive data ecosystem

Principle 6: The world needs a new cohort of data leaders – individuals who have data knowledge and skills and are equipped to understand the value, limitations and opportunities offered by data, data practices and data sharing.