PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER NETWORK (KTR) FOR TRAINING IN OFFICIAL STATISTICS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

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1 FOR PARTICIPANTS ONLY REFERENCE DOCUMENT DDR/1 7 June 2007 ENGLISH ORIGINAL: SPANISH ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean Fourth meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Santiago, Chile, July 2007 PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER NETWORK (KTR) FOR TRAINING IN OFFICIAL STATISTICS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN SCA-ECLAC Working Group on Human Resources and Training

2 1 This report is the outcome of the work done by the Working Group on Human Resources and Training in consultation with all ECLAC countries. The document is divided into three parts. The first part describes the background issues, the work done by the Group and the purposes of the report. The second part presents an assessment of statistical training needs in ECLAC countries, of existing and potential training venues and of the use of new technologies. The third part outlines a training programme for Latin America and the Caribbean in the framework of the Strategic Plan, and considers the creation of a Knowledge Transfer Network comprising training venues in ECLAC countries and making use of existing resources and infrastructure by introducing a system of competent coordination, underpinned by the determination and commitment of network members. This report is laid before the 4 th meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (SCA-ECLAC). We request that the Conference: 1) approve the proposal to create a Knowledge Transfer Network (KTR) for training in official statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean; and, 2) if such proposal is approved, appoint the members of the board of the KTR, and 3) instruct the 7 th meeting of the Executive Committee to discuss and approve the first biennial training programme of the KTR. 1 INTRODUCTION 1. In today s world, statistics are one of the mainstays of strategic decision-making in the public and private spheres, and provide the basis for the design, implementation and monitoring of policies, plans and programmes for economic and social development. The strengthening of statistical capabilities is a challenge we all face. One of its key aspects is continuing training of human resources, which is vital to meeting new and increasing demands for high-quality statistical information. 2. There already exist national training venues and programmes that play a vital role in statistical training and are a wellspring of potential for ECLAC countries. But, as situations vary widely from country to country, the training of statisticians tends to be uneven. Major gaps remain in statistical training at the national level. It is hence necessary to frame a joint, sustainable strategy to train statisticians using pooled resources and suitably coordinating the initiatives of member states and international donors. 1.1 Background 3. At the third plenary session of SCA-ECLAC at Santiago, Chile, 1 to 3 June 2005, one of the substantive issues considered was Human resources training and education: towards a

3 2 strategic vision. The Working Group comprising the national statistical offices of Canada, Chile, Paraguay and Spain wrote a Paper on Training and Education in ECLAC Countries 1 and circulated a questionnaire 2 expressly in order to collect information on statistical training and education requirements in the ECLAC countries, and to learn about the human, financial and technical resources available for the management and organization of training activities. The questionnaire results were presented at the meeting itself and compiled in the paper Encuesta sobre capacitación y formación estadística en los estados miembros de la CEPAL In the course of discussions, country delegations shared their experiences, drew inspiration from each other s strengths and considered future challenges in the field of human resources training. Emphasis was laid on the importance of international, multilateral and horizontal cooperation to create robust communities of statistical experts able mutually to benefit from one another s knowledge and achievements. 5. The meeting approved the initiative of the Executive Committee resolved at its fourth meeting (Dallas, 30 November and 1 December 2004) to equip the SCA with a SCA-ECLAC Strategic Plan Its preliminary version posited the strategic goal to improve the management of human resources, while observing strict criteria for quality in the recruitment of professional and expert staff in the region, and promoting their ongoing training and education. 6. This same meeting approved the Programme of regional statistical work for Latin America and the Caribbean, July 2005-June 2007, 5 which sets out the tasks for the period in the context of the general Strategic Plan. The programme of work encompasses four sub-programmes, including "Human resources and training". The aim of this sub-programme is to prepare a regional strategy for the training and management of human resources taking account of technical and management issues." 7. It is important to note that this Programme of Regional Statistical Work introduces the concept of a network by directing efforts towards the creation of "a basis for coordinating the existing activities and initiatives in the region and to promote them by establishing a consortium of national offices and cooperation agencies. 8. According to the Programme, in the biennium "the Statistical Conference of the Americas intends to complete the inventory of existing activities and cooperation capacities, including international initiatives and experiences, which is being carried out at the request of the Executive Committee, in order to identify the priority needs for education and training in statistical areas by region and country and to boost training activities. 9. For the activities relating to the subjects identified as thematic areas, the Conference created six working groups responsible for planning and coordinating the activities required to fulfil the objectives set down for the biennium. One of the working groups is the Working Group on The document was circulated to participants of the fourth meeting of the Executive Committee of SCA-ECLAC, Dallas, United States, 30 November and 1 December 2004, among Other documents ; it is available on the SCA- ECLAC website. See note 1. LC/L.2317(SCA.2005/7). LC/L.2293(SCA.2005/3). LC/L.2294(SCA.2005/4).

4 3 Human Resource Education and Training, created with the aim of implementing a specific project to bolster education and training in the national statistical systems of Latin American and Caribbean countries. 10. The 6 th meeting of the Executive Committee, held in Madrid on 25 and 26 September 2006, resolved to confirm that Spain is to be responsible for the activities of the Working Group on Human Resource Education and Training, except in respect of its work regarding education and training in relation to poverty and the Millennium Development Goals, which are to be incorporated into the work of the Working Group on the Monitoring of Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals. 1.2 Activities of the Working Group 11. The Working Group on Human Resource Education and Training comprises the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain (group leader), the United States, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. 12. The mission of the Group is to move forward in the review and implementation of the Programme of Work within its purview of activity. Specifically, the work and projects promoted by the Group are geared toward the overall aim to organize and harmonize the faceto-face statistics training programmes by coordinating the activities of training centres within member countries of the Conference." 13. Based on the outcome of the work cited at point 2 and on the discussions conducted by the Conference, and taking the final draft of the Strategic Plan as its overarching frame of reference, the Working Group set itself the goal of assessing present statistical training needs in the region and studying the feasibility of creating a network of education and training in official statistics throughout the countries of the Conference. 14. From June 2006 to February 2007, the Working Group prepared its Statistical Education and Training Project and two questionnaires, respectively, on training needs and on the availability of resources for training (training centres and activities, funding capabilities). These documents were submitted to ECLAC member countries. The results of the questionnaires were appraised and presented at the Seminar on Statistical Education and Training in Latin America as part of the Group's first face-to-face meeting, held in Antigua, Guatemala, from 21 to 23 March The meeting was attended by all Group members and Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and ECLAC. Also present was the Director of CEMLA (the centre for Latin American monetary studies), who was invited to speak on his experience of creating a network of Latin American central banks to promote teaching and research in monetary and banking matters. 16. In the course of the meeting, attendees discussed countries needs and experiences in the field of statistical training and identified each country's present initiatives to train its statisticians. 17. The meeting resolved to create two study sub-groups:

5 4 - Study sub-group for the preparation of a training programme, coordinated by Colombia, to issue a preliminary report on the present state of statistical training in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, draw up an inventory of existing training centres able to join a network, lay the foundations of a programme of training activities in line with the Strategic Plan , and assess the benefits of new information technologies and distance learning. - Study sub-group for the creation of a training network, coordinated by Mexico, to prepare a preliminary report on the creation of a network in ECLAC countries, specify the possible structure and legal form of the network and identify the various options for funding. 18. Both sub-groups wrote their interim reports in consultation with the countries present at the Antigua meeting. These papers were then discussed at the Group s second meeting, held in Madrid from 16 to 18 May The aim of the second meeting was to prepare the final draft of this document for submission to the 4 th SCA-ECLAC meeting. 1.3 Purpose of the Report 19. The content of the Report is aligned with the final draft of the Strategic Plan , 6 preliminarily approved by the Executive Committee at its sixth meeting (Madrid, 25 and 26 September 2006). The drafters of the Report at all times pursued the specific goals tied to Goal 2, To promote the training of staff in producing high-quality statistical information, managing national statistical systems and carrying out research into statistical methodology, identified in the Strategic Plan as: 1. Promote an awareness and identification of institutional needs and the work skills required for producing statistical information and for management. 2. Encourage an awareness of and sharing of experiences in relation to human resources management, as part of work towards defining a human resources management model that is relevant to the difference stages of statistical development in the region. 3. Support cooperation and coordination of countries human resources training efforts in the region. 4. Develop cooperation on lines of statistical research relevant for the region. 5. Strengthen the region s networks of statistical information experts in various spheres. 20. In response to the needs for training in official statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean, this Report proposes that: 1. the key courses of action be brought together under a joint international programme for the countries of Latin America and the Caribean; and that 6 LC/L.2575/Rev.1. This draft, dated 22 December 2006, incorporates the comments of SCA member countries on the document Final Draft Strategic Plan (LC/L.2575), presented by ECLAC on the occasion of the sixth meeting of the SCA Executive Committee.

6 5 2. such programme be implemented by the creation of a Knowledge Transfer Network (KTR) comprising ECLAC member countries. 2 PRESENT STATE OF STATISTICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 2.1 Diagnosis 21. A concise and accurate diagnosis of the real state of statistical training in the region should first stress the following facts: a great many seminars take place, but there is a dearth of courses; some key subject areas are under-emphasized; there is inadequate communication across countries for suitable use of the available human, financial and structural resources; it is difficult to measure the impact of education and training activities conducted for Latin American and Caribbean countries on the day-to-day work of national statistical bodies, because assessment and monitoring mechanisms are generally absent; and there is a lack of certification. 22. Education and training activities often focused on a single country, when that same effort could have benefited several. Different international training events with the same aims were sometimes scheduled on contemporaneous dates, and thus competed with one another for attendance by statisticians and officials. Experts were sometimes engaged outside the region, although the statistical bodies of Latin America and the Caribbean employ specialists qualified to fulfil the same education and training roles. The potential of new technologies has not been put to full use in education and training. 23. Advanced courses are too few. In some countries, the benefits of training are lost or diluted because staff members are temporary, or training is inefficient because it is not imparted to the most suitable recipients. There is a need for specialised training activities to help create a professional career in official statistics; the investment in human capital should flow to government officials whose permanent employment, stability and opportunities for development at a country s national statistical body are assured. Of interest here is the practice identified in several countries of establishing agreements with universities to offer education at several levels (joint postgraduate programmes at the specialisation or master's level, research, etc.). The training of teaching staff also requires reinforcement. 24. On an overall view, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean need human, financial and technological resources and, in particular, a simple and effective mechanism of coordination to organise existing infrastructure and optimize the use of resources so that their performance redounds to the ongoing improvement of statistical information. 2.2 Assessment of training needs and existing infrastructure 25. The Working Group conducted a detailed analysis of the statistical education and training needs of ECLAC countries and of the existing infrastructure. The analysis used: (a) questionnaires on training needs, sent to all national statistical bodies of ECLAC member countries in January 2007; (b) questionnaires on the availability of resources for the training of

7 6 statisticians, sent to all national statistical bodies of ECLAC member countries in January 2007; (c) participants contributions to the Seminar on Statistical Education and Training held in Antigua, Guatemala, in March 2007; and (d) the detailed assessment conducted by the study sub-group for the preparation of a training programme, coordinated by Colombia. 26. As a result, the Group identified in the SCA-ECLAC ambit a number of thematic areas that should be regarded as priorities for statistical education and training: Quality in statistical information Population censuses Statistical classifications National accounts Demography, with the application of mathematical tools Editing and allocation of statistical data Electronic data transfer Poverty statistics Science, technology and the information society statistics Environment and sustainable development statistics Service sector indicators Consumer price indices Millennium Development Goals Data collection Business records for statistical purposes Sampling techniques 27. Training of teaching staff in the above subject areas is a further priority. 28. Face-to-face education and training centres are widespread, but distance learning is available only in a few countries. Coordinated use of such resources is necessary to improve the way training needs are met in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. 29. In addition, several countries are now setting in motion their own centres that will support training activities by their statistical bodies. 30. In 2006, over 20 training activities involved statisticians from across several Latin American and Caribbean countries. However, the centres designing and imparting the activities failed to coordinate, so the use of existing resources was not optimized. 2.3 Use of new technologies in statistical education and training 31. The final draft of the Strategic Plan lists as one of the lines of action towards Goal 2, cited at section 1.3 of this Report, to create a distance learning model to train the staff needed for the management and production of statistical information, with coordination between the training centres of the national statistical offices of the member countries of the Conference. 32. The Internet and other technological platforms enable faster and more manageable access to information; this has brought about a revolution in a range of educational processes. Virtual settings and classrooms are the cutting edge of a new way of understanding and acquiring

8 7 knowledge. They allow for interactive work by individuals and groups, such that the learner manages his/her own knowledge development. 33. Initiatives are now becoming more widely accepted that gradually introduce e-learning, videoconferencing, CD-ROM courses and distance learning in general as a supplement to conventional face-to-face programmes. But the use of new technologies applied to statistical education and training in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is still in a nascent state. More work needs to be done on putting new technologies to good use so as to bring their enormous potential to bear towards the success of a future network for training in official statistics. 3 TRAINING PROGRAMME AND CREATION OF A KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER NETWORK 3.1 Main guidelines of the training programme 34. In accordance with the final draft of the Strategic Plan , one of the purposes of the training programme, inter alia, is to help develop and foment human talent in innovative methodologies, technologies and techniques, and thus promote quality in the production and reporting of basic official statistics and encourage harmonization and integration of statistics across the region to render them increasingly comparable and reliable; this will support Latin American and Caribbean countries' active and coordinated involvement in the international statistical agenda. 35. ECLAC countries should plan, manage, implement and assess the training programme and its component activities in a consistent and coordinated way, in partnership with international bodies. 36. The underlying concept of the programme should spring from four key concerns: (i) the training of official statisticians to the highest international standards; (ii) coordination and cooperation among countries and with international bodies; (iii) innovative management of process quality and statistical product quality; and (iv) deployment of resources. The planning, design and implementation of the training programme should reflect an awareness of any work being conducted by other SCA-ECLAC Working Groups that could have a bearing on training issues. 37. There is an undeniably close interdependence between an education and training programme and research and dissemination-related issues. However, pursuant to the guiding principles of the final draft of the Strategic Plan and the tasks undertaken by the Working Group, the programme must focus on meeting statistical training needs in the countries of Latin America and the Caribean. 38. The programme will aim to enhance knowledge transfer and experience-sharing at the intermediate and advanced levels. 39. Training programme activities will concentrate on the training of official statisticians and of experts and instructors able to replicate the acquired knowledge in national and sub-regional settings (teaching staff training).

9 8 40. Face-to-face training, hybrid forms of face-to-face and distance education and distance learning will be combined on the basis of the beneficiaries of the given activity, its curricular objective, the course content, the availability of experts, teachers and instructors and the availability of infrastructure and resources. To put resources to their best possible use and give them a broader reach, priority will be accorded to teaching activities that use distance-learning methods. 41. Every training activity under the programme must be conducted in one of the official languages of ECLAC. 42. Training programme activities will be supplementary to the activities of national education and training centres. 43. Training is an ongoing need of all countries, as acknowledged in the Strategic Plan Biennial operating programmes will be drawn up to assure continuity; such programmes will be assessed at each Conference meeting. 44. The training programme should, inter alia, conform to the priorities identified at point 3.1, especially in connection with the priority challenges to be faced by national statistical systems in the period Creation of a Knowledge Transfer Network (KTR) 45. The main purpose sought by the creation of a programme of intermediate and advanced training in official statistics for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean may be further supported by coordinated action of existing training centres and programmes in ECLAC countries in the form of networked operation: this would not entail creating any new centre. The network concept is posited as the most suitable way to coordinate existing national centres and programmes, in that it would open up information and communication channels enabling optimal use of the resources available. 46. The SCA-ECLAC Knowledge Transfer Network (KTR), conceived of as a regional public asset, will establish a system of collaborative work. The network will be primarily virtual. It will have a minimal infrastructure, and all members will participate as suppliers and beneficiaries, thus promoting the mobility of information and resources and rendering them fluid, dynamic, timely and relevant. 47. The mission of the KTR will be to enhance member countries' ability to generate, analyze and disseminate official statistics by encouraging the transfer of the best available knowledge and practices. 48. The SCA-ECLAC KTR will implement a training programme by creating a common support platform that facilitates the exchange and circulation of training resources and activities among member countries.

10 Structure of the KTR 49. The KTR will comprise statistical education and training centres and other venues in ECLAC countries that support the aims of the network. The KTR will be sustained by member countries, and will seek the backing of international donors. The system will set up a pool of official statistics experts to cater to member countries requirements through the KTR. Ties will be developed with the units, institutes and offices producing official statistics, which are also the prime sources of experts. 50. The KTR will be administered by its own board, made up of the incoming Chair of the SCA Executive Committee, the outgoing Chair, and three countries appointed by the Conference. One of the board members will act as secretariat of the KTR. It would be desirable that for the first two years one of the three country members of the board be the leader of the Working Group on Human Resources and Training, acting as secretary. The KTR board will be replaced every two years, at the plenary session of the Conference. 51. The KTR board will design the biennial training programme and lay it before the Conference for approval. Further, the board will create and maintain a pool of official statistics experts, carry on relations with donors and allocate financial resources. 52. The main duties of the secretariat will be to: gather information on supply and demand of training in ECLAC countries; report on supply of education and training; monitor the implementation of the adopted programme of work; collate reports issued by centres on activities conducted in the purview of the KTR. 53. The KTR will have its own portal on the SCA-ECLAC website. The KTR portal will contain information on its founding principles and its rules of operation; its members; its timetable of activities; a body of bibliographical references relating to training programmes (books, journals, manuals, presentations, exercises, access to standards and guidelines); and other relevant materials Funding 54. The funding of the KTR will take shape over two stages: a) Establishment and initial operation stage: In this period of up to one year, the KTR will depend on contributions of available infrastructure in member countries. Financial support from multilateral bodies and agencies will likewise be crucial. b) At the second stage, the KTR, as a regional public asset, hopes to garner funding from international bodies and donor countries to sustain its continued existence. The infrastructural support of ECLAC countries must remain in place.

11 Impact measurement and assessment 55. A project like the creation of a Knowledge Transfer Network to enhance and facilitate optimal use of statistical education and training resources in ECLAC countries requires ongoing performance assessment. The standard mechanisms of cost-benefit analysis and the continued presence in assessment processes of donors and financial bodies and agencies backing the project will make for an objective scrutiny of the results achieved. 56. It will fall to SCA-ECLAC to decide, on the proposal of the KTR board, on an appropriate form of assessment and on a methodology to measure impact. The resulting assessment reports will be laid before the plenary sessions of the Conference. We request that the Conference: a) approve the proposal to create a Knowledge Transfer Network (KTR) for training in official statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean; and, b) if such proposal is approved, appoint the members of the board of the KTR, and c) instruct the 7 th meeting of the Executive Committee to discuss and approve the first biennial training programme of the KTR.