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Presentation Transcript
National Strategies for the Development of Statistics and Their Impact on Agricultural and Rural StatisticsGraham Eele, World Bank
Contents • New opportunities for statistics • National strategies for statistics • Implications for Agricultural and Rural Statistics • Conclusions
The case for better statistics • To manage the business of government • To set and monitor policy • To support markets • To provide information for citizens • For international reporting
The role of governments • Official statistics are public goods • Financed from general taxation • Needed for the business of government • Better information assists markets • Mechanism for transparency and accountability
Statistics and development • Increasing recognition of need for good statistics • MDG monitoring • Results agenda • Poverty reduction strategies • But many statistical systems, especially in developing countries are under pressure
Background • Strategic planning not new to statistics • Need to respond to changing demand, but with supply that changes slowly • Problem of allocating scarce resources • Balancing competing demands • Increasing emphasis on efficiency and value for money
National statistics • Need for quality to be assured • Increasingly wide range of data needed • Many agencies involved in compilation and dissemination • Application of fundamental principles • Promote coordination and harmonization based on existing processes such as GDDS
Strategic planning • Emphasize national and system-wide coverage • Covers medium to long-term time frame • Based on detailed assessment of strengths and weaknesses • Sets goals and targets – vision • Identifies and prioritizes actions and investments • Includes detailed implementation plan
How it works in practice • Process as important as product • Need for comprehensive and inclusive consultation • Need for leadership and political support • Importance of building in flexibility • Build in mechanisms for monitoring and accountability
Getting involved • Importance of being part of NSDS process • Building political support • Ensuring active participation in coordinating mechanisms • Being able to specify clear goals and objectives
Focusing on results • Result of NSDS should be better use of statistics, not just better funded activities • Importance of “quick wins” • Need for better coordination of statistical programs • Opportunity to re-build statistical systems, in line with national priorities
Some technical issues • Developing common infrastructure • Better use of ICT • Common databases • Use of GIS • New forms of data dissemination
Issues and opportunities • Focus on demand and results • Making the case for investment in statistics • Donor coordination and support • International data reporting • Demonstrating value for money • Emphasis on accountability
Next steps • Participation in existing processes • Advocacy for strategic planning • Good practice material from PARIS21 (www.paris21.org) • Development of a road map/proposal • Review requirements for financial and technical assistance (TFSCB)