The vision of Global Pulse is fully achievable, but not by the UN acting alone.  Although the UN and its partners do have considerable expertise in global development and data analysis, further innovation is needed to develop a unified approach to rapid cross-sectoral vulnerability analysis and early impact detection.  Advances in technology to improve decision-making will be needed, and there are hundreds of technologies for collecting, analyzing, and using real-time information already in use around the world  that can be brought together to improve resilience to global crises. Finally, many of the best ideas for how to use those tools are to be found in the very communities that would most benefit from them. Designing a system to bring together the people, tools and information needed to ensure achievement of the Millennium Development Goals can only be accomplished by harnessing grassroots innovation, particularly in the Global South.

Strategy

To achieve its ambitious vision, Global Pulse is working with Member States, UN Agencies, and partners to implement a three-fold innovation strategy:

1. A common framework for measuring vulnerability. Through a series of workshops, conferences, and other events, Global Pulse will develop a flexible Common Analytical Framework for rapid cross-sectoral impact and vulnerability analysis and a manageable set of Core Vulnerability Indicators. Global Pulse will deliver an enhanced capacity to monitor the impacts of global crises by fusing traditional statistical data drawn from the many sector-specific monitoring systems already in use with real-time, crowd-sourced information from mobile phones, social networks, and online media.
2. A technology platform for better analysis of vulnerability. Through a series of innovation camps, "grand challenge" competitions, and other public events Global Pulse will design a standards-based, extensible and agile software architecture for the Pulse Technology Platform, which will provide leaders with better tools to understand risks, vulnerabilities, and impacts of global crises on their populations and monitor the effectiveness of policy responses. Global Pulse will use this platform as a catalyst for open source technology innovation, integrating the diverse technologies already in use around the world into a unified network to capture trends from traditional and non-traditional information sources in real time.
3. Innovation laboratories to test new approaches to monitoring vulnerability. Through strong partnerships with Member States, Global Pulse will build a global network of innovation laboratories, or Pulse Labs, to train the best and brightest minds in the country to develop, test and scale innovative solutions to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, ensure that technological developments serve the most vulnerable, improve information flow between government and vulnerable communities, and address local needs within the context of national priorities. 

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