Contextualizing Data Through Storytelling

Telling stories has always been a wonderful human experience. But when one hears the term “data analysis or statistics,’’ your mind immediately picturing spreadsheets, charts, algorithms or complex mathematical calculations, to interpret, and present data for a wide range of audiences. 

Nowadays and ever since COVID-19 pandemic hit the global village, data storytelling turns out to be a popular mode for presenting data. At a 4-day retreat in Addis Ababa – Ethiopia, UN communication and Data Officers mastered the art, across disciplines, that anyone can learn how to effectively communicate findings in a clear and compelling manner, called data storytelling. 

Caroline Azevedo, DCO Chief of Section - Public Information amplified ‘statistics is an old science and it call attention to human impact and the right data will help to illustrate and support the narrative of any story.’ But when we do turn data into a story, it also gives the prioritised audiences context, makes the figures comprehensible and the evidence makes the story memorable. Meaning, that the man on the street does not need to remember the actual data associated with the story but most probably will remember the story because it prompts decision-making or sparks one’s curiosity to take action.

To avoid the death of data in Africa and to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s aspiration to Leave No One Behind, current, reliable and trusted data has a great role to play to ‘win the hearts and minds of people to care and to take action.’

This retreat was a great learning opportunity to establish an exchange network, to adapt to the role of a solution journalist and to support the vital role of data in meeting the challenges of our time. 

97 UN Member States across the African continent were presented by 50 communication officers from 50 countries, 49 data officers from 47 countries, 4 colleagues from Development Coordination Office (DCO) in New York, a colleague from Development Coordination Office (DCO) Arab States and a colleague from the Department of Global Communication (DGC).