“Data is not just numbers. It’s a tool for action.” 

Speaking at the Third Abu Dhabi Child Data Symposium, a high-level global forum aimed at harnessing children’s data to drive scalable societal change, Friederike Schüür, UNICEF’s Chief of Data Strategy and Data Governance, stressed how critical data governance is to inform policy that truly benefits children. Drawing on her experience working directly with fieldworkers across the globe, she also discussed how youth engagement can bridge the gaps in traditional policymaking so that policies are not just made for children but also informed by them. The Symposium was organized by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, as part of its World Early Childhood Development (WED) Movement.

The Unleashed Power of Data 

In today's datafied society, almost every child leaves a digital trail behind. From their movements to their health and education, nearly every aspect of their lives is being tracked and recorded. And there's huge potential value in that storehouse. In the right hands, Schüür argued, it could rewrite futures, helping policymakers design targeted interventions that actually work. But data alone doesn’t change anything. Without good governance, she warned, it can be misused, abused, and even cause harm. 

Schüür unpacked what experts refer to as the ‘data value chain’: collection, storage, analysis, sharing... Each phase, she stressed, demands scrutiny. Cutting corners in collection? You could end up with unreliable datasets. Rushing through analysis? You might overlook marginalized voices. Any mismanagement risks introducing bias or gaps, leading to policies that fail to serve the very children they meant to protect. 

That’s why data governance matters so much. For years, UNICEF has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure ethical and effective data stewardship. Since launch, its Data Governance Fit for Children (DG4C) programme has been focusing on fostering trust among data owners, data users, regulators and other stakeholders. Trust is the foundation that drives meaningful action and builds bridges for collaboration, ultimately enabling the responsible use of data to benefit children. Together with governments and organizations around the world, DG4C has developed some best practices to protect and promote children, rather than exploit and exclude them.  

Responsible Data Governance in Action 

One of DG4C’s key efforts in this area is the Responsible Data for Children (RD4C) initiative, developed in collaboration with the GovLab at New York University. This initiative sets out clear guidelines and hands-on tools for handling children’s data responsibly. 

Schüür outlined the seven RD4C principles, explaining that they aren’t just rigid rules, but can be adapted to different contexts, whether in humanitarian crises or more stable environments. She placed particular emphasis on the participatory approach, underscoring UNICEF’s push to ensure young people can lead discussions about how their data should be governed and their digital future should look like. 

She shared real-life stories from UNICEF’s recent work, including inviting young people across the world to write articles about their concerns about the current digital world, as well as bringing young people to the UN World Data Forum and facilitating their dialogues with global senior policymakers. These efforts and active participation from our next generation prove one thing: Young people aren’t just passive data points; They want a say in how their data is handled. 

Meanwhile, with AI evolving at an unprecedented rate, Schüür warns that ensuring responsible data governance is more urgent than ever. “Data is the currency of AI. Without good data, AI cannot function effectively.” She explained and then added, “without strong governance, AI can reinforce bias and inequality instead of solving problems.”  

A Pioneering Index for Child Well-Being 

A major milestone at the symposium was the announcement that Abu Dhabi will begin developing the Thriving Child Index, a groundbreaking initiative by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA). This innovative child welfare assessment integrates data from multiple sectors that influence children's development. It seeks to give a holistic picture of children's overall well-being, rather than using a singular lens. 

Schüür welcomed this initiative, saying: "investing in early childhood development delivers long-term benefits, not only for the child, but for society as a whole." She also stressed that strong data governance will be essential to ensuring the insights powered by the Index can be translated into concrete, actionable policy changes. 

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and the RD4C initiative have been longtime partners, working together to promote ethical and effective child data governance. RD4C’s methodologies will play an important role in shaping the Thriving Child Index, ensuring that data is used responsibly and for the benefit of all children.

(Lead Image by Aleksei Zhivilov on Unsplash)

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