Session 2: Preparation for the 2011 African Statistics Day – Designating 2008 SNA as Its Theme Seminar on the Implementation of 2008 System of National Accounts in Africa 11 – 15 April 2011 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Outline of Presentation I. Introduction II. Themes used for ASD celebrations between 1993 and 2010 III. Evaluations of ASD celebrations IV. Theme of the 2011 ASD celebrations

I. Introduction The African Statistics Day (ASD) is celebrated every year on 18 November. ASD was initiated by one of the subsidiary bodies of ECA, the Joint African Conference of Planners, Statisticians, and Demographers (PSD). ASD was adopted by the 25th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the 16th Meeting of African Ministers Responsible for Economic Planning and Development to be celebrated each year in May 1990.

I. Introduction (cont’d) The main objective of the ASD is to increase public awareness about the important role which statistics play in all aspects of social and economic life of the countries and the continent. ASD has been celebrated in African countries since 1993. ECA has been mandated to identify and propose a theme for the celebration, a note on the importance of the theme, posters, and press communiqués to be distributed for promotional purposes.

II. Themes used for ASD celebrations between 1993 and 2010 The following themes were used so far for the celebrations 1993: Strengthening Statistical Information Systems for Development and political Reforms 1994: Building Necessary Capacities to support Sustainable Development and Regional Integration 1995: Increasing Data Production and Dissemination for Efficient Analysis and Management of socio-economic policies 1996: Towards Poverty Eradication in Africa: Data and Statistics for Policies and Programmes 1997: Building an Information Society

II. Themes used for ASD celebrations between 1993 and 2010 (cont’d) 1998: Harnessing Information for Development 1999: Improving Coordination of Statistical Activities and Programmes 2000: Poverty Reduction: Strengthening Statistical Capacity for Measuring and Monitoring Poverty 2001: Transforming African Economies: Role of Statistical Information 2002: Governance and Development: A challenge for Africa  2003: Monitoring Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals: The Challenge for Statistics

II. Themes used for ASD celebrations between 1993 and 2010 (cont’d) 2004: Managing for Development Results: The Role of Statistical Information 2005: The 2010 Round of Censuses: An Opportunity to Improve Statistical Information for Monitoring Africa’s Development Agenda 2006: National Strategy for the Development of Statistics: Statistical Planning at the service of Dynamic Development 2007: Improving Employment and Related Indicators to Better Inform Labour Policies and Programmes in Africa 2008: Challenge of Climate change and the rising food prices: the role of statistical information

II. Themes used for ASD celebrations between 1993 and 2010 (cont’d) 2009: Strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems in support of national development and MDGs in Africa 2010: Celebrating the many achievements official statistics: SERVICE - PROFESSIONALISM - INTEGRITY

III. Two Evaluations of ASD Evaluation until 2000 celebration According to the evaluation report of statistical development in Africa that was presented to the 10th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Statistical Development (CASD) in April 2001, “Many countries continue to celebrate ASD but the celebrations have not had the desired impact”. Evaluation of the 2006 ASD celebration In 2006 the ASD had witnessed an increased in participation of countries due to renewed interest in statistical capacity building activities on the continent.

Factors Contributing to the Success of African Statistical Day Celebration The Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development renewed their support for statistical development during their conference in Ouagadougou in May 2006. African Centre for Statistics was created at ECA. The Statistics Division at AfDB was upgraded to a level of a Department. Renewed interest at AUC in advocating for statistics at a higher level. RRSF was endorsed by FASDEV in February 2006 where one the recommendations of RRSF is to invigorate the celebration of ASD. The materials for the presentation were available in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese languages.

Main findings of an Article in African Statistical Journal The main findings of an article on the May 2007 Issue of African Statistical Journal, entitled “Invigorating the Celebrations of ASD: Lessons learned from the 2006”, were: Survey questionnaire on ASD celebration was sent to 53 ECA member States where 41 countries responded. Thirty-three countries indicated that they used the theme prepared .by ECA. Thirty-two countries used the posters and press communiqué prepared for the celebration.

Main findings of an Article in African Statistical Journal (cont’d) Thirty countries indicated that other stakeholders such as line ministries and members of the civil society were involved in the celebrations; Thirty countries reported high ranking officials such as speaker of parliament, ministers, vice-ministers; members of government, etc. attended the celebrations; Thirty–two countries indicated that members of the press were invited to the celebrations; Twenty-eight countries used the occasion to announce upcoming events such as surveys, censuses; Some countries devoted one week for the celebrations.

IV. Theme of the 2011 ASD celebration The celebration of the 2011 ASD could be devoted to the area national accounts. This is due to the fact that it is one of the recommendations of the AGNA meeting and was also adopted by the Directors General of NSOs meeting held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. There is therefore a need to suggest possible themes and select one during this meeting.

Thank you Seminar on the Implementation of 2008 System of National Accounts in Africa 11 – 15 April 2011 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia