Start Your 2014 With Big Data Workshop

For those who has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and is passionate about big data and data visualization, here’s an exciting learning opportunity for you:

“Visualizing Open Data to Bring Out Global Issues”

Margo & Alex, supporting by Transparency International Cambodia

Monday, January 13, 2014 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (ICT)

Open Steps is an initiative from two young Berliners Alex (Spanish, Software Developer) and Margo (French, European Politics) who decided to leave their daily lives and travel around the world for one year. On this journey, they are meeting people and organisations working actively in open knowledge related projects, documenting them on their website. Also, open data is the area where their both backgrounds converge and that’s why they run a workshop entitled “Visualizing Open Data to bring out global Issues” on the way and research about the current situation of open data in the countries they are visiting. WORKSHOP DETAILS: “Visualizing open data to bring out global issues” Thanks to the large amounts of open data being released for free on the Internet, we can take a quick glimpse at current issues characterizing our world. Although, this complex data is sometimes difficult to be understood in its initial form. By going from theory to practice, we will show where data can be quickly gathered from, and by using open source technologies, put it in a visual context to make relevant issues easy to understand. In addition, attendees will be encouraged to discuss topics involving each of us. The goal of this workshop is also to increase awareness of the importance and benefits of making information available for everybody and how sharing knowledge is one of the steps towards making our planet better. Table of contents: 1. Introduction to Open Knowledge and Open Data 1.1 What are open knowledge and open data? Why do they matter? 1.2 Examples of administrations and organisations releasing information to the public domain. 1.3 Transparency in politics as a way to achieve real democracy. 2. There is so much data out there, and its free! 2.1 Online sources where you can get open data. 2.2 World Bank as major data hub. 3. Why visualization matters 3.1 Understanding complex problems by looking at simple graphs. 3.2 Examples of data visualizations we have developed describing worldwide issues in the fields of Politics, Environment, Education and Social development. 4. Practical session 4.1 How to build a data visualization in 5 minutes using free online tools. 4.2. Technical questions related to the tools used. 5. Open debate 5.1 Which data would I like to visualize? Attendees have the opportunity to propose topics and relevant data they would consider interesting to explore. Everyone will be also encouraged to publish their own data visualizations on our platform.

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Check [free] ticket availability and RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/visualizing-open-data-to-bring-out-global-issues-tickets-9720543407 ODC Team will be attending the workshop. See you there!