Paris21 Seminar on Statistical Capacity Building Indicators
Washington, DC, April 29–30, 2002
International Monetary Fund, Room HQ2-530 (by invitation)

Statistical capacity building is becoming increasingly important with the new prominence given to official statistics spurred by the information society, globalization, demand for transparency, and increased quantification of national and global goals. Working toward a common understanding of statistical capacity building is undoubtedly a complex challenge, yet tracking the evolution in statistical capacity is crucial if we are to meet the increasing demands that are put on our statistical systems. The seminar will explore ways ahead to track the progress in statistical systems across countries.

The seminar is being sponsored by the Statistics Department and organized in collaboration with PARtnership In Statistics for Development in the 21^st Century (PARIS21) Task Team on Statistical Capacity Building Indicators (chaired by the IMF).

The seminar will be based on a background paper, "The Framework for Determining Statistical Capacity Building Indicators." (393 K pdf file) The intent is first for participants to become familiar with the six-part structure used to describe statistical capacity. This structure is based on the Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAF) introduced by the IMF and drawn extensively from the U.N. Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the rich literature on quality in the statistical community. Second, views of the participants will be sought, as managers of statistical systems, to ensure that the content of the Framework captures the important characteristics of statistical operations. Finally, the seminar proceedings will explore which indicators readily emerge from the Framework.

April 29, 2002
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	Opening Remarks
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Introduction, Mrs. Carol Carson, Chairperson
Session 1 (10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.): Role of Indicators in Statistical Capacity Building
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Framework for Determining Statistical Capacity Building and the Indicators, Ms. Lucie Laliberté
10:45 a.m. – 11: 00 a.m.	General Discussion
11:00 a.m. –11:15 a.m. Coffee Break
Session II (11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Indicators—Prerequisites of Quality
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Presentation, Mr. Willem De Vries
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.	General Discussion Task Team discussant: Mr. Lamine Diop Floor discussion
12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch
Session III (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.): Indicators—Integrity
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Presentation, Mr. Thomas Morrison
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	General Discussion Task Team discussant: Mr. Graham Eele Floor discussion
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Coffee Break
Session IV (3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.): Indicators—Methodological Soundness
3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.	Presentation, Mr. Jan Van Tongeren
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.	General Discussion Task Team discussant: Mr. Sarmad Khawaja Floor discussion
April 30, 2002
Session V (9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.): Indicators—Accuracy and Reliability
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Presentation, Ms. Beverly Carlson
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	General Discussion Task Team discussant: Mr. David Allen Floor discussion
11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Coffee Break
Session VI (11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Indicators—Serviceability
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Presentation, Ms. Makiko Harrison
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.	General Discussion Task Team discussant: Mr. Antoine Simonpietri Floor discussion
12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Luncheon hosted by Mrs. Carson
Session VII (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.): Indicators—Accessibility
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Presentation, Mr. Misha Belkindas
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	General Discussion Task Team discussant: Mr. Jan Bové Floor discussion
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Coffee Break
Concluding Session (3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.)
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.	Roundup, Mr. Tim Holt
4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.	Concluding Remarks and Next Steps, Mrs. Carson