Driving Statistical Knowledge Among Mexican Youth

The Inegi has launched a platform called Data in Action aimed at "activating youthful intelligence" and promoting access, understanding, and application of statistical information, all in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. In collaboration with UNESCO, the institute has developed 17 educational resources that provide young people with basic concepts in statistics and geography, equipping them to effectively use databases, spreadsheets, and other informational tools. According to Adolfo Rodríguez Guerrero, Coordinator of the Education Sector Program at UNESCO in Mexico, "Data in Action" is designed not for traditional learning, but to inspire activism, transformation, and better practices in civic engagement.

This microsite is now available on the Inegi portal, and its educational resources align with the high school curriculum nationwide, as stated by María del Carmen Larios, project coordinator. Each resource corresponds to one of the Sustainable Development Goals and aims to teach young people how to form an informed opinion, identify information needs, conduct analyses, and use data to improve their own lives and those of their communities. Additionally, "Data in Action" features videos created by Inegi experts that detail data generation, maps, and censuses, along with their uses. Educators can utilize these resources to guide young people in generating their own information and developing projects related to community issues, mobility, employment, or water quality, to name a few. According to Larios, this also represents an effort in digital literacy, fostering the active involvement of youth in the use of databases and statistical and geographic tools. At the launch event, young participants from the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes learned how to use statistical information to explore topics linked to sustainable development, such as health, education, and the human impact on the environment. The Sustainable Development Goals are part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which aims to achieve objectives such as eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring gender equality, and securing access to clean water, among others. Of these 17 goals, about 12% have been met, 58% show "little progress," and 30% have either regressed or there's no information on their progress, as Rodríguez Guerrero explained. This highlights the urgency of Inegi for youth to learn how to use information to tackle common issues.

Such initiatives are essential for fostering a culture of analysis and active participation among youth. In an ever-changing economic context, having tools that enable them to interpret information accurately becomes vital. Today's young people are the professionals of tomorrow, and their ability to utilize programmatic data can be key to driving innovation and sustainable development in the country.