WB hosts global apps development competition

"Help change the world by using the World Bank's data collection to help find solutions to today's development challenges," said Zoellick. "Create applications to analyse and tackle the world's long-standing problems."

The competition challenges developers to create software applications, tools, data visualisations or "mash-ups"- whether web-based, mobile, through SMS, smart phone, desktop, or tablet. There are two requirements for entries: use the World Bank Data Catalog and address one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Ground-level insights of development challenges

"The World Bank is seeking creative 'apps' that bring ground-level insights of the development challenges posed by the MDGs," said Shaida Badiee, director of World Bank Group's Development Research Data Group. "Our collection of global data on the economy, human development and the environment is a remarkable resource. The apps created in this competition will allow policymakers, researchers, and civil society to track the impact of policies, develop new solutions, and measure improvements more accurately."

"We'd like to see examples of developers everywhere using our data and combining it with their own data to build really useful applications addressing local problems. That's the power of crowdsourcing innovation and that's the essence of the challenge," added Aleem Walji, World Bank Institute innovation practice manager.