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Better data for better lives: The International Data Alliance For Children On The Move

Learn about IDAC’s origins and its mission to advance data work on children on the move, how its cross-sectoral approach is building national-level capacities, the working groups turning IDAC’s objectives into reality, and the organizations who have committed to supporting this important work.

IDAC history and background

IDAC was conceived at an international expert workshop jointly organized by IOM and UNICEF in March 2019 in Rabat, Morocco, convened to discuss the data needs and methodological challenges related to migrant and forcibly displaced children. It was formally launched on 2 March 2020 at UNICEF House in New York at an event jointly organized by the Government of the Netherlands, the Government of Sweden, UNICEF, IOM, UNHCR and OECD (see also the terms of reference).

Reliable, timely and accessible data and evidence are essential to upholding the rights of children on the move. They allow us to understand how migration and forcible displacement affect children and their families, while also providing the necessary information to inform child-sensitive policies and programmes. But the current data landscape on this population of children leaves many questions unanswered regarding their age and sex, where they come from, where they are going, their reasons for leaving, whether they move with their families or alone, and their vulnerabilities. 

These troubling gaps run counter to the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind.

The need for a child-sensitive approach and related data demands are recognized by the international community in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement. To better protect migrant and forcibly displaced children no matter where in the world they may be, it is paramount that the global community take action to improve child-specific data as well as data capacities.

See this timeline for highlights of IDAC’s activities and milestones.

Objectives and key strategies: A cross-sectoral, whole-of-society approach to closing the data gaps

Migration and displacement are dynamic issues. As such, IDAC’s approach is flexible and adaptable to an evolving environment. Its key tasks include mapping data gaps and data needs, identifying measurement challenges and providing solutions, and strengthening data systems and capacities in countries. IDAC plays the critical role of creating a space for countries, international and regional organizations, NGOs, think tanks, academics, civil society and youth to share experiences and good practices. 

Above all, IDAC aims to spotlight the urgent data needs of children on the move at national, regional and global levels and encourage States to take action.

IDAC’s work is built upon three pillars:

1. Strengthen data systems and capacities

2. Promote and establish collaboration and innovation

3. Improve data visibility, availability, accessibility and usability

Working groups: Collaborative solutions to strengthening data and statistical systems

Four IDAC working groups have been established to translate IDAC’s objectives into concrete outputs (e.g., tools and guidance materials for data producers and data users) through peer-to-peer learning and co-developing standards for data collection, analysis, sharing and use.

These groups are now actively working towards sustainable solutions that improve the data landscape on children on the move from the ground up.

Contact us to join these efforts.

Working Group 1

Strengthen the capacities of national statistical institutions

Chair: Hellenic Statistical Authority

Priority areas

  • Identify gaps in national data ecosystems
  • Provide and highlight guidance, tools and solutions to produce and process data on migrant and displaced children
  • Outline actions that States can take to improve data and statistical systems

Working Group 2

Develop child-specific indicators and metadata

most relevant to children on the move

Chair: Statistics South Africa and the Higher Planning Commission of Morocco

Priority areas

  • Identify, recommend and develop indicators linked to the SDGs, GCM and GCR
  • Develop guidance to improve measurement for child-specific indicators and data

Working Group 3

Improve data availability on internally displaced children

Co-chairs: Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and IMPACT Initiatives

Priority areas

  • Advocate for and build capacities to disaggregated data on internally displaced children, ensuring all forms of displacement are monitored
  • Improve knowledge on the impacts of internal displacement on children on the move
  • Improve data availability to predict and prevent internal displacement

Working Group 4

Drive collaborative efforts towards innovative methods and solutions for child-specific migration and displacement data

Co-chairs: Save the Children and UNICEF Frontier Data Network

Priority areas

  • Take inventory of existing methods and co-create innovative approaches to enhance child-specific migration and displacement data collection
  • Collaborate with organizations and partnerships on data, including with academics, to improve analysis on children on the move

IDAC leadership and membership

Eurostat, IOM, OECD, UNHCR and UNICEF (Secretariat Chair) form the IDAC Secretariat and advocate for child-sensitive migration and displacement data in their respective roles. Together, the Secretariat members guide IDAC’s work plan, oversee its activities, organize events and meetings, and prepare and maintain records of discussions and agreements.

At the end of 2024, IDAC’s membership had surpassed 50, including 25 Member States.

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