"Measuring the Un-measurable: Challenging the Limits of Official Statistics" 27 Feb. 2012

1. Measuring and Monitoring Public Engagement in Qatar "Measuring the Un-measurable: Challenging the Limits of Official Statistics"27 Feb. 2012 Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani President, Qatar Statistics Authority Qatar Statistics Authority

2. Outline • The Rationale • Public Engagement: Concepts and Definitions • Important areas of Public Engagement • Impact of Public Engagement • Data Sources • Measurement tools • Challenges to measuring Public Engagement • Way Forward Qatar Statistics Authority

3. Rationale • Qatar Vision 2030 focuses on the four areas of development, namely Economic development, Human development, Social development, and Environmental Development • Official statistics are capable of portraying a country through a set of indicators, maps, graphs, etc. • The traditional socio-economic and environmental indicators (GDP, HDI, MDGs indicators, etc.) do not adequately measure the achievement of the goals targeted in Qatar Vision 2030. • New Statistics and indicators are needed. Qatar Statistics Authority

4. Why is measuring Public Engagement important for Qatar and for the Region? Qatar Statistics Authority

5. Public Engagement: Concepts and Definitions • Public engagement is a process that brings people of all walks of life together to address issues of common importance. • Public engagement builds a feeling of belonging. • Builds trust in policy makers. • Creates opportunities for citizens to become involved in problem solving and decision making. Qatar Statistics Authority

6. Some important areas of Public Engagement • Education and access to information • Health and wellbeing • Sports and leisure • Culture and Heritage • Energy and Environment • Policy Consultations • Media including Social Media • Social Protection Qatar Statistics Authority

7. Impact of Public Engagement Qatar Statistics Authority

8. Data Sources • Specialized surveys • Administrative data from various Ministries and other Government Units • Research activities by specialized groups • Social Media Qatar Statistics Authority

9. Examples of Qatari Social Media Statistics Source: Computing Research Institute, Qatar Foundation April,2011 Qatar Statistics Authority

10. Examples of Qatari Social Media Statistics (Cont’d) Source: Computing Research Institute, Qatar Foundation April,2011 Qatar Statistics Authority

11. Examples of Qatari Social Media Statistics (Cont’d) Source: Computing Research Institute, Qatar Foundation April,2011 Qatar Statistics Authority

12. Examples of Qatari Social Media Statistics (Cont’d) Source: Computing Research Institute, Qatar Foundation April,2011 Qatar Statistics Authority

13. What to measure? Qatar Statistics Authority

14. What to measure? Qatar Statistics Authority

15. What to measure? Qatar Statistics Authority

16. Measurement Issues to Consider • Standards do not currently exist at the international level • There is a need to identify target population/“Different publics” • Involves talking to people and not about people • Build trust and ensure confidentiality • Design appropriate data capturing means • How will the information be used • How will the information change the life of the provider Qatar Statistics Authority

17. Improving Response • Example: 2010 Population Census Publicity Campaign Qatar Statistics Authority

18. Measurement process will help answer the following questions: • How active is civil society in Qatar? • Should Qatar develop a policy environment that fosters public engagement? • What is the impact of public engagement on life satisfaction in Qatar? • Is Qatar achieving it’s vision and goals? • Qatar National Vision 2030 • National Development Strategy 2011-2016 • Qatar National Master Plan 2032 • FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Statistics Authority

19. Challenges to Measuring Public Engagement • Better understanding of the concept • Need for an appropriate framework for Qatar • Need to increase public awareness on the issue of Public Engagement • Need to develop appropriate measurement tools/indicators • Need to identify required resources, including capacity building of staff Qatar Statistics Authority

20. Way Forward • QSA to initiate the process and together with partners develop the appropriate methodology for measuring Public Engagement • To identify the stakeholders/Public institutions • To create awareness on issues/outcomes of Public Engagement • To collect data and assess the current status of Public Engagement • To prepare recommendations and inform decision makers on the current status of Public Engagement Qatar Statistics Authority

21. Way Forward (Cont’d) • To encourage the development of a strategy to enhance Public Engagement to achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 • To collaborate and seek advice with international/regional/research institutions • To develop a repository to monitor Public Engagement in Qatar. • To ensure sustainability of the project at national level. Qatar Statistics Authority

22. Thanks Qatar Statistics Authority