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NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICS: THE CASE OF ST.KITTS & NEVIS

6th Regional Statistics SeminarNovember 1st, 2013

St. Kitts Marriott, Frigate Bay

Beverly Harris

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Statistical Unit established in 1966A unit within the Ministry of Trade and

Industry.Prior to that the Customs Department was

responsible for the collection and processing of trade data

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Trade and tourism statistics collected in the early years

1971 Statistical Act identified the areas to be collected

Act also outlined the duties of the department

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AREAS COVEREDECONOMIC & FINANCIAL

STATS Demography Social Statistics

Other Statistics Environ-ment Census

and Surveys, ITC

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Characteristics of Existing SystemFragmentedSeveral Legislations governing collection of

dataVarying levels of IT and statistical capacitiesExistence of “turfs” in data collection and

hence reluctance to share.Collection of a wide array of data Often times data flow is one way.

MISSIONTO PRODUCE TIMELY, RELIABLE

AND ACCURATE DATA

RELATING TO THE POPULATION RESOURCES, ECONOMY, SOCIETY AND CULTURAL INFORMATION ON VARIOUS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INDICATORS

VISION

TO BE A KEY PROVIDER OF GOOD QUALITY INFORMATION AND IN SO DOING RAISE THE LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE FEDERATION IN MATTERS RELATING TO STATISTICS

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Attitudes to Sharing of DataLine Ministries : may be reluctant to share

administrative data with other line ministriesHouseholds : May be reluctant to share some

information.Business entities : May not respond to

surveys and questionnaires: Low response rate

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STATISTICS DEPARTMENT

DOS

RESEARCH & TRAINING

SUPPLIERS

PRODUCERS

USERS

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Outcomes/Recommendations from National and Regional meetings• The revision of the statistical act• Establishment of an Advisory Board• Autonomy of the Statistics Department

• Establishment of a National Statistical System

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Development of a National Strategy for Statistics

An ongoing system of advocacyA review of resources needed for an efficient

systemAn evaluation of the human resource needs

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What exactly is a NSDS?

The following three slides are taken from Paris 21 and provides the definition, principles and design methodology of a NSDS.

The National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) is:

A reference document converting the statistical priorities of the country into a detailed work program over 5-10 years.

A participatory process requiring: - dialogue between all actors- commitment at high political

level

A strategic management tool and coordination framework

Based on the PARIS Declaration principles

Marrakech Action PlanBusan Action Plan

A collective effort with strong country leadership – country-

driven

NSDS

More than 100 countries (IDA and lower to middle-income) have embarked in

an NSDS process.

NSDS PRINCIPLES

Progressive, with several steps

Participatory

Integrated – all the sectors

Realistic

Country-driven - appropriation

Meets the statistical demand of national strategies and plans

Its content is specific to the country

Provides data necessary to design, implement and monitor national development policies and plans

NSDS DESIGN METHODOLOGY

3. WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Current situation

4. WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?

Mission/vision

5. HOW DO WE GET THERE?

Strategies/Actions

6. GETTING THERE

Implementation, monitor./eval.

Statistical

capacity

1. POLITICAL COMMITMENT

2. ROADMAP

3. WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Current situation

4. WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?

Mission/vision

5. HOW DO WE GET THERE?

Strategies/Actions

6. GETTING THERE

Implementation, monitor./eval.

Statistical

capacity

2. ROADMAP

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STEPPING UP LAUNCH OF NSDS

July 2012

Five core areas

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CORE AREAS

Data GapsStatistical NeedsChallenges and

Opportunities

Reform & Restructuring

Advocacy

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OUTCOMESAn Assessment of the

current situation

Feed back

Recommendations

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MOVING ON

Following the Launch the next step is the Preparation of the Road Map.

This establishes a consistent and coherent mechanism to be used in the formulation of the NSDS.

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Road Map Components

Basis for context and justification 

Objectives and expected resultsThe formulation of the NSDS in

the framework of existing development programmes

Methodology and organisationTasks Budget, resources and sources

of financeMonitoring and review

mechanisms

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Administrative, structural, legislative, technical and cultural changes must occur for the successful implementation of a NSDS.

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Thank you

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