Automate the Download Process of a Dataset

The project aims to automate the download process of the UHRI dataset where the recommending body is UPR, and the Type is Recommendation from the provided link https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/our-data-api. It involves developing a script to interact with the UHRI data API, retrieving data monthly, and implementing necessary authentication mechanisms. The downloaded dataset requires cleaning, including removing junk characters, splitting values into specific columns, and filling null values. Recommendations need to be split based on country names, and a new column, RS (Recommending State), needs to be created for population. The dataset should be grouped into cycles based on UPR Sessions.

The project's work product includes an automated solution for downloading and cleaning the UHRI dataset, designed to be user-friendly and scalable. Deliverables consist of a script for API interaction, a cleaned dataset in CSV/XLSX format, and comprehensive documentation for operation and maintenance. The solution aims to optimize performance, minimize processing time, and ensure efficient handling of potential increases in data volume over time.

TrackSDGs is a comprehensive tool empowering both public and private stakeholders to assess opportunities and risks effectively, facilitating informed decision-making by aligning resources with societal needs across diverse regions.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, aim to address various global challenges by 2030, such as labor rights, gender equality, and climate action. However, progress towards these goals has been slow, with only 15% of targets on track for completion. Challenges include political will, accountability mechanisms, and limited access to financial resources. Additionally, civil society's role in advancing these goals is increasingly restricted in many parts of the world.

To address these challenges, TrackSDGs integrates data from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a comprehensive human rights reporting mechanism, into SDG planning. This integration allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the social and political landscape where projects are implemented. It sheds light on the root causes of challenges and identifies areas where laws and policies can be improved. By integrating human rights data into SDG progress, TrackSDGs ensures that marginalized groups, such as women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minorities, and indigenous peoples, receive the support they need to thrive within development initiatives.

We have undertaken several preparations to ensure the project's success. First and foremost, we have conducted comprehensive research on the UHRI dataset to understand the data structure thoroughly and contacted the website admin for API retrieval process. We have even tried to use tools like Tableau Prep and Excel to clean the dataset to some extent. Based on that experience, we developed detailed requirements document. The output from this project would be used for the next project that will use NLP to map Recommendations to SDGs and Themes and consequently fill out the nulls in the dataset to make it more comprehensive.