MDG Data Coordination

Neda Jafarjafarn@un.org

Workshop on MDG Data Reconciliation: Employment Indicators12-13 July, Beirut

Workshop on MDG Data Reconciliation: Employment Indicators12-13 July, Beirut

Challenges• Reporting challenges

• Central repositories for national indicators on database platforms

• Data availability and discrepancy challenges

• Streamlining and avoiding using multiple data systems

• Coordination at the national, regional and global level

Current dissemination practices

Spreadsheets

Static file formats

National databases

•Only a snapshot•Data not downloadable•Manual updates

• Fully controlled presentation• Combine data, text, charts•Quick, easy, cheap

Static files

√

X• Key indicators•Highlights>

•Users have to download all•Manual updates

• Easy format for data analysis•Downloadable, Customizable

Spreadsheets

√

X•Data files for further analysis>

• Important implementation costs• IT infrastructure• System maintenance

• Customized queries• Flexible downloads• Easy updates

National databases

√

X•General data dissemination>

National MDG Databases

• Establishment of national MDG databases as official repositories for all MDG data.

– Improve coordination: national data producers submit data to a common repository

– Facilitate dissemination of data to national and international users

Why is the coordination of statistics important?

?1.4%

5.2 %

-2.7 %

Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

Principle 8.

Coordination among statistical agencies is essential to achieve

consistency and efficiency in the

statistical system

Data Reporting Cycle

Other producers of official statistics

National Statistical

Office

International Organizations

MDG data compilation and analysisAgency

Headquarters eg. UNICEF

Line Ministry in

the country

Agency Headquarte

rs eg. UNESCO

Agency Headquart

erseg. ILO

MDG Indicators database

60 MDG indicators + background/additional indicators192 Member States1990-2010

mdgs.un.org

For each indicator one or more agencies are responsible for providing the data and metadata and for leading the methodological developments

Country office of

the International agency

National Statistical

Office in the country

E-mail

SDMX

E-mail

Coordination issues

• Time lags: different data and metadata in different databases

• E-mails not delivered• Harmonization of files (country and agency

levels)• Burden on countries• Prone to errors• Translation issues

Coordination tools

• Coordination between NSOs and line ministries through following tools:

– The creation of central MDG databases

– The use of standards for data exchange, such as SDMX.

Dissemination of MDG

• MDG databases should have:

– Store data and their metadata– Produce charts, maps and cross-tabulations; – Import and export data and metadata;– On-line data dissemination using SDMX import and

export– Open source database applications– Adaptable and customized to national needs

di User

from ChildInfo to DevInfo

ChildInfo 1995 - 2003UNICEF developed a database to monitor the World Summit for Children offered to the UN system

DevInfo 4.0 2004ChildInfo upgraded and launched with UNDG endorsement in April 2004

UN EndorsementEndorsed by the United Nations to assist Member States in Monitoring human development

DevInfo 5.0 2005New web-enabled version developed and launched with broad government and UN support in May 2006

DevInfo 6.0 2009New features with Web 2.0 social networking launched in Apr 2009

presentation objects in preview panels

di User

access databases online from around the world

di Org

in the Arab Region

Country Adaptations

http://db.iauiraq.org/

www.iraqinfo-online.org

http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Palinfo/home.aspx

http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/CensusInfo/

http://dubaiinfo.dsc.gov.ae/

http://www.devinfoyemen.org/di6web/home.aspx

http://www.egyinfo.net.eg/DI5Web/home.aspx

http://www.devinfo.info/sudaninfo/

http://www.observatoire-enfance.nat.tn/fr/home.php?p=statistiques

http://www.sominfo.org/

Regional Adaptations

youthinfo.escwa.org.lb

www.devinfo.info/menainfo_kpidatabase/

www.devinfo.info/menainfo_database/

www.genderinfo.escwa.un.org/

http://youthinfo.escwa.org.lb/

What is missing?

• To Improve coordination at the subnational level to report to national planning agency

• To improve coordination at the national level to report to regional and international agency

• To improve coordination at the international level to report to national agency

Recommendations