Jun 13
The World Cup has 48 teams. Our scoreboard reads differently: 21 of those nations run MICS surveys — 61 since 1995 — producing the data that tells us how their children are really doing. Ghana leads with 7. Iraq, back at the World Cup after 40 years, has its sixth in processing now.
Goals get counted in 90 minutes. Children deserve to be counted too.
#WorldCup2026 #MICS #DataForChildren
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Jun 12
📊 From Evidence to Action: Using Data to Drive Education and Skills Outcomes
I'm honored to join the panel alongside Deon Filmer, Rachel Glennerster, Jonathan Stern, and waly wane, with a presentation by Maryam Akmal and Sergio Venegas Marin, moderated by Elizabeth Ninan, and opening remarks from Christian Bodewig.
🗓️ Tuesday, June 23, 2026 🕙 10:00–11:30 AM ET 💻 Online via Webex — registration link in comments
#FoundationalLearning #EducationData #LearningPoverty #SDG4 #DataForChildren
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Jun 10
For three decades, UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) have produced nationally owned, internationally comparable data on children in the hardest places — from Afghanistan to Yemen, Iraq to Somalia, the State of Palestine to Ukraine. Today 35 of the 39 economies on the World Bank's fragility list take part, and 23 are fielding a survey in the current round.
What makes that possible is a model, not a one-off effort. MICS are designed and run by national statistical offices, with UNICEF technical assistance, to a common global standard — measuring the health, nutrition, learning and protection of children, women and families in a way that is comparable across countries and over time. The data belongs to the country; the standard is shared by the world.
The chart below shows the reach: 427 surveys across seven rounds since the 1990s, with the darker blue marking fragile and conflict-affected economies in every round. "Fragile" is not a synonym for "unsurveyable."
I see MICS as a foundational, nationally-owned layer of the FCV data architecture — the comparable base that faster, lighter instruments build on, not a substitute for them. Good data is a foundational infrastructure to prevention, planning and response; without it, the most vulnerable children, women and families go uncounted exactly where and when needs are greatest.
I'm at the World Bank's Fragility Forum in Washington, D.C. this week, where the data behind children in fragile settings is squarely on the table.
#FF2026 #FragilityForum #DataForChildren #MICS
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Mar 20
📊 Too much global development data still lives in spreadsheets.
But modern analysis requires data acquisition as code.
Today I’m pleased to share that the unicefdata #Python package is now available on PyPI, providing direct programmatic access to the UNICEF Data Warehouse.
Researchers, policymakers, data scientists, and analysts can now retrieve 700 internationally comparable indicators on children and women directly from Python — enabling reproducible analytics, transparent workflows, and faster evidence generation.
Why this matters
Reliable evidence depends not only on good data, but also on how easily that data can be accessed, reproduced, and reused.
The unicefdata package helps bridge the gap between official statistics and modern data science workflows by enabling:
• Access to 700 indicators across countries and years
• Integration with reproducible research pipelines (Jupyter, scripts, pipelines)
• Use of SDMX international statistical standards
• Consistent interfaces across Python, R, and Stata (trilingual suite!)
Making official statistics more accessible, reproducible, and interoperable is an important step toward strengthening evidence for policies that improve outcomes for children.
📦 PyPI
pypi.org/project/unicefdata/
#OpenData #OfficialStatistics #Python #DataForChildren #ReproducibleResearch
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Mar 13
📊 Too much global development data still lives in spreadsheets.
But modern analysis requires data acquisition as code.
Today I’m pleased to share that the unicefData R package is now available on CRAN, providing direct programmatic access to the UNICEF Data Warehouse.
Researchers, policymakers, and analysts can now retrieve 700 internationally comparable indicators on children and women directly from R — enabling reproducible analytics, transparent workflows, and faster evidence generation.
Install
install.packages("unicefData")
Example
library(unicefData)
df <- unicefData(
indicator = "CME_MRY0T4",
countries = c("BRA","USA","IND"),
year = "2015:2023"
)
Why this matters
Reliable evidence depends not only on good data, but also on how easily that data can be accessed, reproduced, and reused.
The unicefData package helps bridge the gap between official statistics and modern data science workflows by enabling:
• Access to 700 indicators across countries and years
• Integration with reproducible research pipelines
• Use of SDMX international statistical standards
• Consistent interfaces across R, Python, and Stata
Making official statistics more accessible, reproducible, and interoperable is an important step toward strengthening evidence for policies that improve outcomes for children.
📦 CRAN
cran.r-project.org/package=u…
#OpenData #OfficialStatistics #RStats #DataForChildren #ReproducibleResearch
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Jan 13
We cannot improve the situation of children without quality data on their real needs.
That is why the MICS survey (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey) on the state of women’s and children’s rights is currently being conducted in Montenegro by MONSTAT, with the support of UNICEF.
It provides the most reliable data on the lives of children and families – from health and education to protection and living conditions.
📊 Quality data mean:
✔ better policy planning;
✔ better targeting of resources;
✔ stronger protection of the rights of all children.
📣 MICS is not just statistics – it is a tool to ensure that no child remains invisible.
#MICS #DataForChildren #EvidenceBasedPolicies #ForEveryChild
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13 Nov 2025
At #DataFest2025 organized by @PBSofficialpak, @UNICEF highlighted how data drives progress #ForEveryChild. 💙
Through panel discussions, workshops & an interactive stall, UNICEF showcased how stronger data systems support evidence-based policies for children. #DataForChildren
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12 Nov 2025
Delighted to be part of #DataFest2025 & to meet passionate data students & policy researchers shaping tomorrow’s decisions.
UNICEF is a data-driven org - when children are counted, they are seen, and policies can create impact. 💙
Every child counts.
#DataForChildren
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24 Oct 2025
🌍Africa Launches Country Profiles for ECD Countdown to 2030!
197 countries analyzed across 5 key areas of Nurturing Care (Health, Nutrition, Early Learning, Responsive Caregiving, Security & Safety). This is the baseline needed to track progress towards the SDGs.
See the data on key threats like child poverty & stunting — and let’s use this evidence for urgent advocacy and resource mobilization.
👉 Check it out now:
afecn.org/blog/2025/10/22/la…
@UNICEF @_AfricanUnion @ECDAction @WHO @AfricaCDC
#ECDinAfrica #DataForChildren #IStand4Children #CPHIA2025
21 Oct 2025
🌍 Exciting news! The @_AfricanUnion, @af_ecn, @UNICEF @ECDAction, and @WHO will launch the Africa ECD Country Profiles Countdown to 2030 during #CPHIA2025.
Together, we’re using data to drive #ECD progress! #ECDCountdown2030
#InvestInECD
#IStand4Children
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19 Jul 2025
📊 The MICS Technical Committee for Albania 2025–2026 met to adapt survey tools to the national context. Led by #INSTAT & #UNICEFAlbania, the process ensures accurate data to inform policies for children & women.
#MICS #DataForChildren #Albania
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17 Mar 2025
It's #KinshipCareWeek - SCADR were delighted to work with CELCIS on the 'Growing Up in Kinship Care' data research project, producing a report and comic: scadr.ac.uk/news-and-events/…
@dataforchildren @ThePromiseScot @adr_uk
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8 Mar 2025
Excellent discussion with Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician of Malaysia 🇲🇾, on strengthening @UNICEF's collaboration in measuring #ChildPoverty and advancing child-centric surveys. Excited about the opportunities ahead to enhance data for children’s well-being!
#DataForChildren #SDGs #UN56SC @unicefdata @myUNICEF @Dr_Uzir @StatsMalaysia
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3 Nov 2024
Wrapping up a productive week at the 9th Africa Statistical Conference! 📊✨
@UNICEF regional and country offices in the continent, alongside @UNICEFData, @ECAStats, @ECA_OFFICIAL @unwomenafrica , @UNFPA_AARO , led insightful discussions on 'Data for Children,' which resulted in key actions to enhance child-related statistics in Africa. We're proud to have helped establish an Expert Group focused on improving the quality, accessibility, and standardization of data that can make a real difference for every child.
A huge thank you to all the participants from national statistical offices, UN agencies, and other partners who contributed to making this event impactful. Together, we're building resilient data systems to leave no child behind. 🌍👶
#DataForChildren #AfricaStatisticalConference #UNICEF #UNECA #ChildStatistics #Agenda2063
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15 Oct 2024
Delighted to be back at @NtlMuseumsScot for more Creative #Climate Action this half term. Make a quilt square (or 2 or 3!) to be sewn into our national community climate quilt, every day 10.30-3.30! nms.ac.uk/events/creative-cl…
@NMSEngage @GeosciencesEd @dataforchildren
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Busy day at Explorathon @ernscot @DundeeSciCentre. James Lever and @DrPaula_Murray @AbertayUni discussed research findings from @dataforchildren report by engaging attendees in art and shared water safety advice through word searches and spot the difference @WaterSafetyScot
ALT James is on the left wearing a white shirt and denim jeans. Paula is on the right wearing a stripy black and white jumper and black jeans. Behind James and Paula there are 3 posters showing children's drawings. There is also a Water Safety Code poster from Water Safety Scotland.
ALT Three copies of the covid-19, children and sport report are sitting on a table. Below the report are clay models made by children. The models depict a swimmer, weight bars, bicycle, balls, skateboard, bowling pins and bowling ball.
ALT Welcome sign which includes pictures of test tubes, solar system, brain and wind mills. Scale of research is for everyone. Stars have been placed next to yes by all attendees. Scale I had fun today. Most attendees placed a star next to yes with two attendees placing a star in the middle.
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30 Sep 2024
Congratulations to our colleagues at @dataforchildren for winning the Best Ethical Data Initiative Award at @TheDataIQ Awards! So well-deserved! Shoutout to @dataforchildren Director Alex Hutchison who received the award in the photo ⬇️ Congrats @IamFraserMac @IwonaSoppa 👏⭐️🎉
26 Sep 2024
Outsanding job to @UoE_EFI for being presented with the Best Ethical Data Initiative Award at the 2024 #DataIQAwards!
Learn more: dataiq.global/award-winner/2…
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7 Sep 2024
All set up and ready to go for @scrapantics family fun day, giving the public the chance to hear about our report into sport, physical activity and Covid-19! @SES_Abertay @AbertayUni @dataforchildren
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Lecturer @DrPaula_Murray @AbertayUni presented findings from the @dataforchildren Children, Covid-19 and Sport report @UKSDN conference. Focus was placed on sharing the sporting experiences of children from areas of deprivation within Scotland and rethinking sports delivery.
ALT Title slide with pictures of children participating in various sports. Title Recognising the legacy of Covid-19 on children’s community sport participation in areas of deprivation in Scotland: Rethinking opportunities for participation in community sport
ALT Slide focused on Decline in participation. Quote 1 I used to a lot like right after the pandemic and I've stopped playing (football) at night (School 1). Quote 2 Don't do any sports (School 2). Quote 3 Just after COVID, I started to go to gymnastics, but …quit it and then I went to Brownies and I still go (School 2).
ALT PowerPoint slide on safety concerns. Quote 1 I was once at the park and the police told us all to leave because there's going to be a big gang fighting, they said (School 1). Quote 2 A couple teenagers set it (park) on fire, yeah. I was there and somebody went and then set it on fire, and everyone was in it like these young kids, and it just started going then burst into flames (School 1). Quote 3 I go (to the park) with an adult, but don't go at night (School 1).
ALT Conclusion slide. Rethinking community sport should involve: Reducing barriers to taking part in sport. Supporting interest in alternative sports and delivery. Messaging to focus on promoting wellbeing. Improving safety within public outdoor spaces. Targeting sport-based interventions for those in primary education during Covid-19.
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18 Jul 2024
ICYMI: Our colleagues from @dataforchildren have been shortlisted for the @TheDataIQ's 2024 Awards in the Best Ethical Data Initiative category! 🤩 This category honours a programme that applies an ethical lens to data use. Read more ▶️ edin.ac/3xN9AAs
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