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United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division. Bringing evidence and policy-makers closer together: the role of official statisticians. Enrico Bisogno Workshop ‘The Role of Official statistics supporting Evidence-based policy making’ Paris, 10 June 2008. Bridging the gap?.
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United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeStatistical Division Bringing evidence and policy-makers closer together: the role of official statisticians • Enrico Bisogno • Workshop ‘The Role of Official statistics supporting Evidence-based policy making’ • Paris, 10 June 2008
Bridging the gap? • Official statistics and policy makers: it’s not a symmetric relationship! • Statistical information as one amongst many other forms of information: media, experts, peers, etc. • Data must compete in the tough information market • So bridging the gap ...or fighting the information battle? 10 June 2008
A possible strategy • Improve our outputs • Identify our targets • Identify possible allies 10 June 2008
Is data evident = easy? 10 June 2008
An example: ‘new’ inflation index • In February 2008, Istat (Italy) released an additional indicators on CPI: • Frequent purchases index • It covers a basket of goods that households buy at least monthly (food, transport, etc.) • The goal is to provide statistical measurement of ‘perceived inflation’ 10 June 2008
Is data evident = visible? • Great attention to dissemination tools (electronic devices, internet, databases) • Data dissemination is shifting towards communication of information • For example, increasing attention to graphic tools to communicate data 10 June 2008
Should NSOs analyse data? • Increasing focus on analytical products • Not only simple description of trends/patterns • This stimulates interest and facilitates further use of data 10 June 2008
Policy cycle and data calendar • Time in politics is crucial • Statistical production should be independent from policy agenda, to safeguard independence • However, data must be relevant! 10 June 2008
2. Identify the ‘targets’ • When we say policy-makers, we include a broad range of decision-makers: • government vs. parliament • central level vs. local level • political nominees vs. senior civil servants 10 June 2008
3. Identify strategic ‘allies’ • Statistics should become a pillar of public debate • For this to happen, more and more users at ease in using data • Invest on raising ‘statistical literacy’ of the media, NGOs, students 10 June 2008
To summarize • Proactive attitude • The usability of our data is the paradigm • A comprehensive strategy to ‘target’ policy makers 10 June 2008
International organizations: canthey be of help? • Facilitate exchange of experiences • Set up ‘processes’ to show the value of statistics • Strengthen capacity of NSOs to communicate data • ...and what else? 10 June 2008