1. Terms of Reference and Generic Mandate for the Working Groups
Preparatory meeting for a Euro-Mediterranean Working Group on Labour Statistics 15 March 2013, Luxembourg
Terms of Reference and Generic Mandate for the Working Groups

2. Overview Framework for the Working Groups
Guidance on defining work programmes
Governance structure
Working arrangements

3. GSPBM

4. GSBPM – the Framework The Generic Statistical Business Process Model
developed by the international statistical community
outlines the processes and sub-processes of statistical production and dissemination, from specifying user needs for information to dissemination of the results.
The GSBPM should be the framework for the work of the Working Groups.

5. Defining a work programme (1)
Each Working Group will define its 2-3 year work programme, within the GSBPM framework The WG may want to prepare longer term goals and an indicative path to those goals The work programme will cover a limited number of areas/topics that would benefit most from activities at regional level Initial focus on consolidating what was done and learned in MEDSTAT III

6. Defining a work programme (2)
The Work programme :
should be coherent, in the sense that activities reinforce each other to achieve a concrete result
should avoid duplication of work of other regional and international organisations
may, where appropriate, build on the priorities and work of those organisations, e.g. the Business Statistics WG should take into account the work of the UN's Wiesbaden Group (Handbook on Business Registers).

7. Defining a work programme (3)
Avoid duplication with other WGs:
Some of the priority issues identified by one WG may also be priority for other groups examples: Business registers, User-producer dialogue
The WP should have clear delimitations, to avoid different WGs working on the same topic
Need to define a lead WG for such issues

8. Recommendations
Not too ambitious at the start, aim for low-hanging fruits.
Build synergies with other WGs, especially
- the Quality Working Group
the Training Working Group
Each NSI organises regular briefing sessions where the national members of each Working Group present to each other their main activities, the results, and the areas where problems were encountered.

9. Governance structure: the Forum
The Forum is responsible for approving and monitoring the Working Groups
Priority themes to be covered are decided by the Forum
Working Groups are created by the Forum
WGs can start functioning if a lead country/organisation has been identified and agreed by the Forum
Work programmes are developed by the WGs and presented to the Forum for approval

10. Governance
A Working Group is initially set up for two years or until the next Forum meeting when it will report to the Forum on its activities and progress
Based on the report, the Forum will assess the work of the Working Group and decide on whether to continue their mandate for another two years
The Forum will agree on the criteria for continuing or closing a Working Group

11. Working arrangements for the WGs - members
The permanent members: nominated representatives of the 10 ENP-South NSIs, and representatives from the EC;
Invited to participate: relevant Ministries/agencies, EFTA and the EU NSIs; International organisations
Ministry or agency responsible for data collection may replace NSI as the permanent member for their country. The NSI may still participate in the meetings and activities of the WG, if it wishes.

12. Working arrangements for the WGs - meetings
The WGs will meet at least once every 2 years, at a location that allows all ENP-South countries to attend.
At least 6 permanent members from ENP-South countries must be present for any binding decisions on the method of working, the work programme or resources to be taken.
As far as possible, the work of the WGs will be based on consensus. If it is necessary to vote on issues, a two-thirds majority will be required to validate a decision.

13. Working arrangements for the WGs - lead country
The lead country will chair the meetings of the WG and will take the lead in preparing meetings, the agenda and the meeting documents. Other countries may be asked to co-chair or to assist in preparing meetings and events
As far as possible, the lead country will make available documents for the meeting on CIRCABC two weeks before the meeting, in English.
The lead country will report to the Forum on the work of the Working Group.

14. Working arrangements for the WGs - language
As far as possible, the WGs will work in English.
Manuals, guidelines and other outputs from the work of the Working Groups will be produced in English.
The Working Groups may set up subgroups to work on topics of interest to a smaller number of countries – for example, to translate documents, guidelines and methodologies into French or Arabic.

15. Financing prospects?
2013: Until end of 2013 limited MEDSTAT III help is still possible
2014: no EU funds likely to be available
2015: If new EU funds allocated, then likely to be available during 2015

16. Until then: Low-hanging fruits:
- focus on things that can be done with minimum of funding, or using TAIEX
- Translate manuals, guidelines, etc
Reproduce some of the MEDSTAT II and III training courses at national level
Organise events back to back with other meetings

17. Thank you for your attention