GOOD PRACTICES IN TECHNICAL COOPERATION

FOR STATISTICSParis 21 MeetingParis, France,June 2000

UN Statistical Commission, 30th session, March 1999

• Some guiding principles for good practices in technical cooperation in statistics

• Two workshops on Improving Technical Cooperation in Statistics were held in The Netherlands, to discuss the need for and content and structure of the document

• Principal authors: Tony Williams (UK) and Ronald Luttikhuizen (The Netherlands)

What is technical cooperation in statistics?

• The exchange and development of know-how and technical expertise in order to build capacities to produce and use statistics

• Wide range of activities: from informal contacts in international working groups and meetings to in-depth programs to improve statistics

• One central condition: partnership, sharing common goals

Purpose of the Guiding Principles

• To help partners in the technical cooperation process to create their own models, but based on acknowledged successful practices

• To encourage countries to make optimal use of statistics and commit themselves to improving the national statistical system

Criteria for good practice (1)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should:

• Be demand-led, based on user requirements and relative priorities

• Set within a well-balanced overall strategic framework

• Consider human and other resource development strategies

Criteria for good practice (2)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should:

• Consider organizational and institutional development, in addition to technical work areas

• Be flexible and take account of local situations, culture, policy environment and stage of statistical development

Criteria for good practice (3)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should:

• Complement national resources, while empowering national statistical systems and governments to take the lead

• Address the needs of regional groupings of countries where a common approach can be effective, supporting cooperation between or within regional groupings

Criteria for good practice (4)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should:

• Recognize heterogeneity of countries

• Be well designed, by using logical framework approaches and specifying objectives and success criteria in advance

• Promote full participation and address the concerns of all main stakeholders

Criteria for good practice (5)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should:

• Be implemented according to professional standards, using the most appropriate model of cooperation

• Integrate staff training in a way that optimizes its effect on objectives of the project

Criteria for good practice (6)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should:

• Use appropriate monitoring and evaluating mechanisms, exchange of experience, lesson learning

• Be coordinated between donors and the different national players to avoid duplication, encourage complementarity and synergy

Criteria for good practice (7)

• Technical cooperation in statistics should, finally:

• RECOGNIZE THAT DEVELOPING A STATISTICAL SYSTEM CAN TAKE A LONG TIME

General policy considerations (1)

• Some general policy considerations are relevant to the consideration of technical cooperation in statistics:

• Role of statistics at the national level

• Define statistical needs precisely and explicitly

• Dialogue between users and producers

General policy considerations (2)

• Importance of statistics must be recognized by national authorities, by supporting:

• Proper legal and institutional setting

• Adequate and motivated staff

• Accommodation, equipment and software

• Commitment to good management practices

• Awareness of Fundamental Principles of official statistics