Overview
Through the Africa CAN initiative, the Global Partnership organized a number of events with partners to exchange ideas and share best practices with a wider audience, beyond the participants in the program. The events were designed to showcase cutting-edge, data-driven approaches to solving climate and health challenges, and to foster an environment of collaboration and learning. Sessions typically bring together diverse stakeholders from different sectors and countries to exchange ideas, explore solutions, and work together.
Table 2 shows the schedule of workshops organized through Africa CAN from 2023 to 2025; below, you’ll find more details on selected sessions.
Table 2: CAN workshop events
| Event title | Date | Location | Partners | Session focus |
| Land Degradation Neutrality Capacity Accelerator Network Learning and Showcase Workshop | July 2024 | Accra, Ghana | GEO-LDN, Ghana Statistical Service; RCMRD. Funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit | Building capacities of governments and organizations to leverage Earth Observation data to tackle land degradation and design effective land restoration policies. |
| Tracking Cholera with Earth Observations Data | August 2024 | Nairobi, Kenya | Kenya National Bureau of Statistics; University of Florida | Utilizing dashboards and other digital tools for real-time monitoring, and examining how the University of Florida’s cholera dashboard uses data to track and monitor cholera outbreaks. |
| Strengthening Data Ecosystems in Lusophone Africa: Harnessing the Power of Data in Cabo Verde and Data Storytelling Workshop | September 2024 | Praia, Cabo Verde | Cabo Verde’s National Council of Statistics; National Directorate of Planning, Ministry of Finance; National Institute of Statistics; Data4Change | Leveraging the Power of Data Learning effective approaches to data storytelling and visualization, using data to tell compelling stories and shift narratives, and presenting information in ways decision-makers can easily understand. |
| Data Narratives for Climate and Health in Africa | October 2024 | Cape Town, South Africa | OpenUp | Bringing together data experts, policymakers, and health professionals to exchange ideas and explore solutions on how data can address climate and health challenges in Africa. |
| Climate and Health Data in Action Showcase | September to October 2024 | Online | Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; data.org (Epiverse); Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team; RCMRD;WeRobotics | Sharing insights and inspiration on how data is being used to address climate and health challenges, demonstrating practical applications, cutting-edge tools, and success stories. |
| Data Narratives for Climate and Health in Africa: Maximizing Impact with Data Learning and Showcase workshop | May 2025 | Accra, Ghana | Ghana Statistical Service; OpenUp | Teaching professionals in climate and health fields how to tell clear, compelling stories with data and use basic data visualization skills to support informed decision-making. |
Tracking Cholera with Earth Observations Data: A timely data workshop
Cholera remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in regions with limited access to clean water and sanitation. However, data-driven solutions are transforming how we predict and respond to outbreaks.
The University of Florida created a dashboard that uses NASA satellite data and machine learning models to provide a four-week early warning for cholera outbreaks, giving governments and key stakeholders the ability to provide timely interventions to the areas affected.
As part of the Africa CAN initiative, in August 2024, the University of Florida, the Global Partnership, and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics hosted a joint workshop to demonstrate the use of dashboards for monitoring and responding to health crises. The goal was to foster a collaborative environment for sharing best practices, strengthen capacity, and leverage the expertise of diverse fostering cross-sector collaboration. Representatives worked together to identify synergies between health and climate data initiatives and discussed how to align climate and health goals with national data strategies.
Maximizing Impact with Data Learning and Showcase workshop
When it comes to using data for the public good, having access to the right information is key; but to have a positive impact, this data needs to be presented in a way decision-makers can understand. Storytelling is a powerful tool for turning complex data into actionable insights.
In this three-day workshop, hosted by the Global Partnership and Ghana Statistical Service, professionals from climate and health fields learned how to tell clear, compelling stories with data to support informed decision-making.
Africa CAN training provider OpenUp taught practical skills to support participants to leverage data visualization and storytelling in their work. The workshop also included an inspiring showcase from the second cohort of the Africa CAN Fellowship, where Fellows shared how they are using data-driven storytelling to present their findings and drive real change.
Peer exchange at the Global CAN event
The Africa CAN Fellows had the opportunity to meet their counterparts from India CAN at a Global CAN event hosted by data.org in Delhi. They connected over shared challenges and openly discussed effective strategies that have worked for them, providing practical guidance and fostering a sense of community. Additionally, a poster gallery walkthrough was held, where over 30 CAN learners and Fellows from India and Africa showcased the results of their work to partner institutions in academia, government, and non-profit organizations. This event highlighted the diverse applications at the intersection of climate and health, including areas such as mental health, health infrastructure, and public health.