Monday, September 18, 2023 | 9:00am - 4:00pm EDT | Harvard Club of New York City

Data Cooperatives and Digital Commons: A Key Focus
40 international experts, policymakers, government representatives, cultural influencers, and Indigenous people gathered to discuss the future of climate action.

Data Cooperatives and Digital Commons took center stage during the Science Summit around UNGA78, offering a deep dive into how data cooperatives are reshaping the future of digital governance and empowering communities. As the world grapples with challenges surrounding data ownership, privacy, and equitable access, this session highlighted the crucial role that data cooperatives play in addressing these issues head-on.

The discussions underscored how data cooperatives, with their democratic governance models, are establishing new frameworks for managing and sharing data. By prioritizing community-driven decision-making and creating digital commons, these cooperatives offer an alternative to centralized control of data. The session examined how digital commons can foster inclusivity, equity, and innovation in data management, providing pathways for more transparent, secure, and user-centered ecosystems.

Key Takeaways from Session D:

• Democratizing Data Ownership: Data cooperatives put control back in the hands of the people, offering a way to manage data that reflects the interests of communities rather than corporations.

• Fostering Digital Sovereignty: By creating digital commons, cooperatives enable communities to retain sovereignty over their data, ensuring it is used ethically and equitably.

• Economic Empowerment: The session explored how data cooperatives open up new revenue streams for communities, providing economic benefits from data that individuals and groups generate.

• Multi-Stakeholder Governance: With diverse stakeholders involved in decision-making, these cooperatives offer a more balanced approach to data governance, bridging the trust gap in today’s digital ecosystems.

This conversation was a crucial part of the broader discussion on how we can leverage digital democracy to address climate action, bringing together voices from different fields and backgrounds to imagine a more equitable and sustainable digital future.

https://sciencesummitunga78.sched.com/event/1RakO/in-person-digital-democracy-for-climate-action-everyone-everywhere-all-at-once-180905

https://www.scribd.com/document/773032959/Digital-Democracy-for-Climate-Action