The Board of Research Data and Information (BRDI) at the U.S. National Academies co-sponsored a free two-day symposium on The Case for International Scientific Data Sharing: A Focus on Developing Countries, on April 18-19, 2011, in Washington, D.C. at the National Academies Keck Center. The symposium examined the importance of international scientific data sharing; scientific data sharing policies in developing countries; how to improve data access and use; and more. In the third session on “Compelling Benefits” Dr Jane E. Rovins made a presentation on the data work issues that IRDR is addressing as well as provided examples where better data sharing could improve disaster risk reduction. The symposium was intended for all the interested scientists and decision makers from Federal agencies in Washington, DC, policy makers from Capitol Hill, scientists and students from local universities, members of the media, and members of the public.