Open Data working group - Success stories in raising transparency in the natural resource sector

This session will explore one of the most successful examples of increasing transparency and data access in natural resources in the past decade - the work of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in the mining, oil, and gas sectors. We will discuss the impact of their collaborative approach on governance, accountability, and development outcomes in many countries around the world, including a case study from the Philippines.

About our speakers:

• Sebastian Sahla is a policy manager at the EITI, leading the organisation's energy transition work. Prior to joining EITI, Sebastian worked on governance and sustainability issues in the natural resource sector for mining and energy companies and non-profit organisations, including for the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in Myanmar. He started his career with the London-based consulting firm Critical Resource.

• Wendy Thomas is a Data Manager leading EITI’s open data work and managing the data team and its projects to support EITI’s data strategy. Prior to joining the EITI, Wendy worked as Technical Lead for the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), where she led the technical team in developing new data tools and maintaining the IATI Standard. She also has experience with metadata, data flow mapping, open data and information services management in a variety of settings including the UK government and universities in the UK and US.

• Mary Ann D. Rodolfo is the National Coordinator of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) under the Department of Finance. She has over two decades of experience in public finance, microfinance, and governance reform. Before joining PH-EITI, she actively promoted financial inclusion and literacy through projects supporting rural banks, cooperatives, and microfinance NGOs. She also served as a project management officer for initiatives funded by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and other development partners. In recent years, she has championed gender and development (GAD) initiatives, working to integrate gender perspectives in transparency efforts and policy dialogues. Her work continues to focus on advancing inclusive, accountable, and people-centered governance in the extractive industries.

Session details: The meeting will be held in English on Zoom. It is open to current members of the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum and its Open Data Working Group, as well as those potentially interested in joining.

Date and time: 20 May (13.00 London/ 14.00 Basel/ 20.00 Manila) Register here