Seattle International Foundation (SIF) and REDIM, Red de Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico are pleased to announce a new coalition to bring data-driven advocacy efforts for key children’s rights groups in Latin America. In partnership with Tableau Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation (Casey Foundation) headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A., the coalition is creating Latin America’s first-ever Tableau Data Fellowship to improve the ability of organizations that advocate for children’s rights to analyze data with the aim of developing public policies that positively affect children’s and adolescent’s lives in the region.
Since 1990, the Casey Foundation has been producing annual KIDS COUNT reports on the status of children in all 50 states in the United States. The KIDS COUNT initiative collects and records micro- and macro-level data and statistics based on indicators of the educational, social, economic and physical well-being of children. Those indicators assist children’s rights groups and policy makers to examine trends on the status of children over time. REDIM has worked with the Casey Foundation for over a decade to replicate KIDS COUNT in Mexico, known as INFANCIA CUENTA. This joint project among SIF, Tableau Foundation, the Casey Foundation and REDIM aims to expand the reach and impact of the KIDS COUNT methodology in Latin America. REDIM is the Executive Secretary of REDLAMYC, the Latin American and Caribbean Network for the Rights of Children and Adolescents, and as such, is well-positioned to help spread the KIDS COUNT methodology throughout the region.
Overseen by the team at SIF, this Tableau Data Fellowship will provide REDIM and other nonprofits in the region with software, training and financial resources to more effectively visualize data on the well-being of children. By using Tableau’s powerful and easy to use data visualization technology, these organizations will aim to present more compelling data to government officials and key decision-makers deciding on policies affecting children’s lives.
“We are pleased to partner with Seattle-based Tableau on this important regional initiative,” said Mauricio Vivero, CEO of Seattle International Foundation. “Together with support from the Casey Foundation, Tableau, REDIM and other Latin American organizations, we will be able to paint a more complete picture of the status of vulnerable children in the region and raise the visibility of these urgent issues. We know that data drives advocacy and this training will allow these organizations to be more effective in the presentation of their data, and in turn, their advocacy efforts.”
The Tableau Data Fellowship commences January 2016, and the cohort will include representatives from Mexico, Central America and South America. Mexico-based Tableau partner Datateam will provide in- kind technical support to REDIM and the other nonprofits participating in the fellowship throughout Latin America.
“We have seen how data can give a voice to those who are often overlooked and tell their story to lawmakers in a powerful way,” said Neal Myrick, Director of Tableau Foundation. “This is a unique opportunity to work with great partners and support the work of a vast network of advocates protecting and advancing the rights of children across Latin America.”
About The Annie E. Casey Foundation
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (Casey Foundation) creates a brighter future for the nation’s children by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. Through their KIDS COUNT methodology, the Casey Foundation has provided state legislators, public officials and child advocates with the reliable data, policy recommendations and tools needed to advance sound policies that benefit children and families for over 25 years. For more information, visit: www.aecf.org.
About Red de Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico
Red de Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico (REDIM) – in English, The Network for the Rights of Children in Mexico – is a coalition of 77 civil society organizations with presence in 17 states, whose mission is to promote a social and cultural movement for children and adolescents to know, exercise and enjoy their rights. Each year, REDIM publishes “KIDS COUNT in Mexico,” a report about the outlook on childhood and adolescent rights in Mexico. This publication, a tool for date-based advocacy efforts in the country, has been produced with support from the Casey Foundation since 2004. To learn more, visit: www.derechosinfancia.org.mx.
About Seattle International Foundation
Seattle International Foundation (SIF) works with corporations, foundations, governments and individuals to alleviate poverty in Central America. Since 2008, the Foundation has invested more than $16 million in 184 high impact organizations in 60 countries, including over $9 million in grants to Central America and Mexico. For more information, visit: www.seaif.org.
About Tableau Foundation
The Tableau Foundation is an initiative led by the employees of Tableau Software (NYSE: DATA) that encourages the use of facts and analytical reasoning to solve the world’s problems. Tableau Foundation grants combine Tableau’s two most valuable resources – its people and its products – with financial support to nonprofits that are using data to reshape communities around the globe. Since 2014, the Tableau Foundation and Tableau employees have contributed 2,355 volunteer house and $4.1m to 460 nonprofits worldwide. To learn more, please visit: www.tableaufoundation.org.
About Datateam
Datateam is a 100% Mexican company with more than 13 years in the market delivering products and solutions that meet the needs of its customers. We help companies across Mexico to structure, analyze and visualize their data in order to be more profitable. For additional information, please visit www.datateam.com.mx
