One of the main problem facing statisticians in the MED is to be isolated from the development of international methodologies and norms as well as from international fora where innovations and new techniques are discussed. Very often, this is the result of budgetary restrictions. But, more important is the fact the voice of the region is not heard enough in international statistics this generating doubts on the quality and relevance of the work that is done there.
In 2017, MEDSTAT IV mobilised 14 MED statisticians to prepare and deliver presentations at the Conference of the International Statistics Institute (ISI) that took place in Marrakech on July 16-20. The ISI is a major association of statisticians who gathered more than 2000 specialists on various topics. The MED participants focused on 4 main issues of importance for the region: Transport statistics, Migration statistics, Gender statistics and business registers. The sessions were well attended and they all generated a fruitful discussion among the statisticians present. All the participants and the Directors of the NSIs of the MED countries praised this initiative and recommended that it should be replicated for other international fora.
In 2018, the project will thus und the participation of MED statisticians to two major events in the sector.
In September 19-21, the IAOS will convey its bi-annual Conference on the issue of “Better Statistics for Better Lives”. The MED countries will present several papers related to the “Communication for statistics” training course that was developed by MEDSTAT IV in a specific session entitled “how to talk statistics to journalist”. The session will be chaired by Eurostat and there will be presentations by two journalists and one statisticians who participated in the course, as trainers and trainees.
In October 22-24, the UNWDF will take place in Dubai and all the Directors General from the Statistical Offices of the MED countries will attend. There will be a specific session organised around presentations by the MED countries under the theme of “trust in statistics”. Presentations will be made by Egypt, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia.
For more information, please contact MEDSTAT4@MEDSTAT4.fr or consult the web-sites of the 2 events at:
IAOS: http://www.oecd.org/iaos2018/
UNWDF: https://undataforum.org/
