1. Presenter: Diana Castillo
of Belize
Presenter: Diana Castillo
Date: June 6, 2013
This will hopefully afford you the opportunity to really absorb the results and to get any necessary clarifications, so that you’ll be able to respond to most queries, if not all, about the census results we’ll be releasing shortly.
We have quite a bit to cover in the time we’ve been allotted. We’ll have a ten minute coffee/bathroom break at around 9:30, and try to finish up by 11 1

2. Introduction
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) is a statutory body established in 2007
National statistical agency
Primary functions: to collect, compile, extract, analyze and release official statistics on Belize
Economic, demographic and social conditions
Stakeholders: Government, international organizations, other NGOs, researchers, general public 2

3. Human Resources
Total staff of about 35 persons, including managers and administrative support staff
Statistics produced by Economic Statistics and Census & Surveys departments
Statistics disseminated to the public by the Data Dissemination department

4. Data Dissemination Department
Data dissemination function has existed at SIB since its establishment
Has only recently (9 months) been formalized into a full department of the Institute
Staffed by:
1 manager
2 Assistant Statisticians II
1 Desktop Publisher

5. Functions of DD department
Respond to requests for information from stakeholders
Issue releases to the media and the public in keeping with Advance Release Calendar
Prepare and/or format all releases
Format SIB reports in preparation for printing
Ensure the content on SIB’s website is current

6. Functions of DD department (cont.)
Prepare promotional and informational items for distribution to the public
Facilitate access to microdata in keeping with SIB’s Microdata Access Policy
Promote a positive public image of the SIB
Provide ongoing support to Economic Statistics department in compilation of trade statistics and consumer price index

7. Methods of Dissemination
Documents posted to website
Electronic release (via ) to media and subscribers
Major releases also printed in newspapers
Documents distributed on CDs
Major reports (e.g. Census 2010 Report) printed by external printers
Other public forums

8. Limitations Human resources:
Staff is small relative to the functions of the department
Staff turnover, particularly in the key position of Marketing & Communications Officer
Existing staff in need of training
Financial resources: SIB’s limited budget does not allow much for public relations

9. Challenges
Timeliness: Difficulties in meeting stated release dates on Advance Release Calendar
Anticipating user needs: At times falling into the trap of producing and releasing statistics according to what has been done in the past rather than according to evolving user needs.
Outdated statistics: Some data not sufficiently current to satisfy users’ needs

10. Challenges (cont.)
Website not user-friendly: Current website is problematic for both users and the SIB
Building public confidence: Lack of public awareness of the work done by SIB, public perception that statistics are controlled by government, and a general mistrust of SIB’s data

11. Addressing Our Challenges
Timeliness:
Increased coordination with other SIB departments to ensure that publication deadlines factor into their internal deadlines
Creating a culture within the SIB that recognizes the importance of data dissemination

12. Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
Anticipating user needs:
Has been slow to come about
Presently takes the form of providing feedback to other SIB departments as to what users want
Promoting internally culture of customer service
Upcoming: Conduct a user satisfaction survey to attempt to quantify level of satisfaction and identify areas for improvement

13. Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
Website:
Final phases of completing a new SIB website
More user-friendly
To contain more and updated time series of all major statistics
Allows for users to request data via the website
Next phase: include a facility by which users can create customized tables from existing databases

14. Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
Building public confidence in SIB:
Ensure SIB has a greater public presence
Quarterly press releases and/or press conferences on major economic statistics and other reports
Reaching out to decision-makers to build awareness of data available from SIB
Public appearances by managers and subject-area specialists

15. Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
Include metadata on new website
Offer beginner-level statistics courses as a service to other government departments and in collaboration with University of Belize
Further develop and promote Microdata Access Policy
Recognizing data dissemination as an equally important function as production of statistics

16. THANK YOU.....QUESTIONS?