Knowledge Hub Session 3: Data-Driven Advocacy: Storytelling

Kuala Lumpur, 25 June 2025 – INITIATE.MY hosted the third session of the Knowledge Hub series, focusing on “Data-Driven Advocacy: Storytelling.” The session equipped civil society actors with practical skills to transform complex data into accessible, compelling narratives that enhance advocacy efforts.

Facilitators guided participants through tools and strategies that connect evidence with storytelling. They emphasised that data alone cannot shape public opinion or influence policy without thoughtful framing. Using case studies and live demonstrations, facilitators introduced visualisation tools such as Flourish, enabling participants—especially those without technical backgrounds—to create clear and persuasive charts and infographics.

Participants took part in hands-on exercises to critique and redesign data visuals. They identified and corrected misleading charts, applied design principles that prioritise clarity, simplicity, and ethical presentation. Discussions also addressed common pitfalls such as overusing pie charts and poor colour contrast.

The session also explored:

1. Public opinion surveys as a form of data collection and storytelling. Participants examined how survey
design, sampling methods, and question framing shape responses and influence narratives. Careful phrasing
can reveal honest perspectives on sensitive issues without triggering bias or defensiveness.

2. The growing use of machine-assisted analysis in advocacy, including media monitoring and trend detection.
Facilitators cautioned against overreliance on automation, stressed the irreplaceable role of human
judgment, cultural sensitivity, and emotional intelligence in crafting ethical and impactful narratives.

3. Methods for blending legal analysis, data, and personal stories. This discussion underscored how
storytelling grounded in lived experience—especially when tailored to marginalised audiences—can challenge
dominant narratives and shape policy discourse.

Knowledge Hub strengthens a more connected and informed civil society. In this case, data is most impactful when framed with care, grounded in context, and communicated clearly. As the digital information space grows more complex, civil society must go beyond collecting and analysing data—they must learn to tell stories that resonate.

Participants of Knowledge Hub Session 3 learned how to tell stories from data more effectively.