|
Special meeting "Revitalising IAOS" |
The aim of the meeting was to discuss how we can ensure that the IAOS - also in the future - plays a vital and dynamic role in the field of official statistics. Because the timeframe for the General Assembly discussions are always restricted due to the administrative matters, it was felt useful to continue the exchange of views at this open meeting. More than 30 participants were able to attend. The discussion was warmed up by Ms Denise Lievesley, former President of the IAOS.
As the background for the discussion were the concerns expressed by many members about the future of the IAOS when the amount of IAOS members is levelling off and the average age of present members is increasing. At the same time, the demands for official statistics and their quality are increasing and the needs for networking with the users of official statistics are becoming more and more important. The role and the profile of the IAOS is not very well known among the international statistical society, not even among our own members. The new electronic means to facilitate the activities and contacts among the members is not very efficiently used within the IAOS, either.
A praxis of satellite meetings and special conferences with both invited and contributed paper meetings (like in Tokyo or in London) should be continued. But it should also be considered whether the themes of these conferences could be more general in nature or the coverage of the topics be more exhaustive so that more members feel them useful and thus have interest to attend.
It was suggested e.g. to improve electronic exchange of information and views by sending to the members electronic newsletters and improve the web sites with appropriate links to relevant information.
Also the question about a need for a special IAOS Newsletter was raised. This type of publication has been produced three times in the earlier history. It can also be circulated electronically.
Summer schools and training courses for young professionals, perhaps on a regional basis, could be arranged.
It was felt that there is not any strong need for a new special IAOS scientific publication. There are already a certain number of high level international publications in the field of official statistics, statistics in general or statistics related research (like Journal of Official Statistics, Research in Official Statistics, International Statistical Review, IARIW -publication etc.) open to the IAOS members. They should be encouraged to offer papers to these scientific publications.
Following groups were mentioned especially: more junior staff of NSI's should be integrated to our activities; the statistical experts from the line ministries and other governmental bodies engaged in official statistics; users of official statistics (e.g. from research centres, business associations, national statistical societies etc.); more new members from developing countries.
In the developing countries, the heads of the NSO's should be addressed. Otherwise it would be difficult to find new young statisticians to become members.
The present IAOS membership rules and application process are not well known. People believe it be difficult and a complex process to get membership.
IAOS should be seen - as a part of ISI - as a scientific organisation working under the scientific discipline (working for scientific independence and the best scientific methods), not just as an organisation of statisticians from the official statistics institutes.
IAOS should arrange rather scientific meetings than any administrative meetings in the field of official statistics. IAOS conferences and activities should be seen as arena where members (and others) can improve their qualifications as professional statisticians. This is useful and important both from the individual and the institutional point of view.
IAOS should serve the purpose to give young statisticians an opportunity to present papers and thus to improve their professional skills. The IAOS Best Paper Prize for young statisticians is a good initiative and it should be made workable.
IAOS's main role is not to offer services to its members but rather to offer more possibilities to participate in collective discussions.
IAOS role is to promote and support the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics by UN, e.g. the integrity of official statistics
Could IAOS do something to help sharing good practices in the field of official statistics?
What is the usefulness and relevance of IAOS? More technical, political and professional support for the developing countries' statisticians is needed.
IAOS should strengthen the links and networks to different ISI sections and groups, more joint actions, e.g. joint Invited Paper Meetings of ISI Conferences
IAOS should establish links to the training institutes in the field of official statistics (like SIAP) and provide them with more information.
IAOS should work more with the National Statistical Societies.
To set up a group of young statisticians?
Should there be a regional organisation of the IAOS?
The new Exco should establish a working group to make a proposal for measures to revitalise IAOS. The Exco should look at the 1999 Report and its recommendations by the IAOS Review Committee chaired by Dr Carlo Malaguerra from Switzerland.
To hire an expert, say on a half-time basis, to support the President and the Exco in the work for the IAOS revitalising project.
Since the biggest problem for young statisticians to come to sessions is usually money, especially in a time when most statistical offices and research institutes in the world are told to cut cost, it is difficult for the management to let young staff members attend international meetings without them being in a position to contribute yet to the advancement of theories or practice of statistics. This is all the more true when such gatherings are held in exotic and/or expensive places.
To overcome that problem I suggest to organise (special) meetings for youngsters in cheap places without all the frills around the sessions that we have become used to lately. It might be done during the holidays and in places where young people go to anyway, resorts, beaches etc. One could even think of letting them sleep in a youth hostel or have them bring their backpack; that would encourage their developing a great feeling of togetherness. The meetings could be held in a school or such a vacant building.
The principal idea is to make these meetings cheap and cosy. I am convinced that such an organisation will attract young people, not only because of the scientific environment but also because of the fun they will have.
All comments are welcome. You are also welcome to work together with the IAOS Executive Committee to make the IAOS more useful and visible organisation among the present and future members. Please send your reactions to the following e-mail address: heli.jeskanen-sundstrom@stat.fi .