Swiss Data Literacy Charter as the basis for data literacy
The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences publish a Data Literacy Charter for Switzerland. This charter is intended to initiate a broad-based cultural change in the handling of general and personal data. One aim is for every person to be able to determine how personal data is handled. The ability to critically evaluate data and statements based on it is another goal of the charter.
In our networked world, a flood of data and information must be appropriately assessed and evaluated. This requires solid data literacy. The further development of artificial intelligence (AI) also makes it necessary for everyone to have sufficient knowledge about the use of data in all areas of life. The "Data Literacy Charter Switzerland" was developed to create a data culture that includes the self-determined handling of data and a secure evaluation of data and statements.
What is data literacy?
Data literacy encompasses the ability to collect, manage, evaluate and use data in a well-considered manner. Data protection and data ethics principles must be taken into account. Because framework conditions can change, ongoing interaction between data producers, such as website operators, and data consumers, such as website users, is essential. Due to the complexity of the topic and the rapidly advancing developments in this area, a lifelong learning process is required. This will ensure that data is handled, exchanged and interpreted sensibly.
Who should ensure data literacy?
Coordinated interaction between all stakeholders involved is urgent: only if everyone is empowered to exchange and use data in all areas in an ethical and data protection-compliant manner can this data contribute to a participatory society. The media, education and politics play an important role in ensuring that data literacy is promoted at all levels and in all areas. International developments should be taken into account. The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and the "Data Literacy - Switzerland" organization are therefore calling on the general public, all relevant disciplines, the media and politics to engage with data literacy and apply it in their respective contexts. The charter is intended to help initiate, anchor and implement a cultural change in accordance with the principles of the Data Literacy Charter Switzerland.
The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences (a+) are an association of Switzerland's four scientific academies: the Swiss Academy of Sciences SCNAT, the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences SAGW, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW. In addition to the four academies, they include the TA-SWISS and Science et Cité competence centers as well as other scientific networks. Young scientists network in the Young Swiss Academy. The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences network the sciences regionally, nationally and internationally. They represent the scientific communities in a disciplinary and interdisciplinary manner and independently of institutions and subjects. Their network is long-term oriented and committed to scientific excellence. They advise politics and society on knowledge-based and socially relevant issues.
"Data Literacy - Switzerland" is an interprofessional, independent movement launched in 2020 on the initiative of Prof. Dr. ès sc. Diego Kuonen and Dr. med. Monique Lehky Hagen, which is committed to the regionally, nationally and internationally networked promotion and implementation of the foundations of a broadly supported social change in data literacy and its political anchoring. www.data-literacy.ch
