Harnessing the Potential for Open Data in Latin America

This chapter highlights some of the main trends in governments’ strategies and initiatives related to open data and public sector information across Latin American countries. It analyses the status of open data policies across Latin American countries by looking at the objectives of existing open data strategies and programs, and available open data portals as well as mechanisms for communication, consultation and co-operation for the development and implementation open data policies. It identifies that Latin American countries are at very different stages of their open data development process. Some have longstanding experience in the area others are just starting to design strategies and portals. Finally, the chapter points to the importance for all LACs to focus on the potential of open data for economic and social value creation, and to generate informed data release according to user needs.