International Measurement of Culture

Draft Recommendations from the Workshop

Paris, 4-5 December, 2006

General

Wide interest in culture statistics Wide frustration that there is much discussion

but follow up seems lacking Seems to be increasing interest in political

arena Need for international agencies to collaborate

and not duplicate efforts Social impacts may be more headline catching

but no agreement on robust quantification

General (2)

Visibility is important Small samples are a problem due to non-

homogeneous populations. Rising thresholds also a problem for culture

where there are many small companies Statistics agenda seems to be accelerating Need to be flexible not proscriptive OECD should be proactive Politicians will not wait for perfect data

Recommendations - General

OECD should provide a forum for discussion Use its office to surf the rising tide of political

interest.

Framework is Crucial

Should include activities ranging from creation to consumption/conservation

General agreement on core areas Ongoing discussion on areas such as sports,

advertising, architecture, design, crafts, etc. Even on the core areas, there is considerable

divergence at the detailed level UNESCO project on revising FCS ongoing

Framework – Details (1) Frame work should be modular – hangars in a

wardrobe. Actual definition is less important than fact of

single definition. Classification more important than structure Comparability is again a recurring theme Robustness → comparability → credibility Economic value is more than just economic

impact Value from non-transactions may be

significant but difficult to translate to quantitative data

Framework – Details (2)

Framework definition must be clear, unequivocal, detailed

Ideally tied to international classification standards

Most general-purpose standards not sufficient for culture

Need to work towards improving international standards

Long revision cycles for most standards mean that alternative short-term approach also required

Framework – Details (3)

Better to concentrate on a core area and try to achieve real comparability

Should focus on perhaps only two hangers in the wardrobe (case studies)

Trade Statistics Many of the same problems as industry classifications Concordance between HS CPC EBOPS More Details Crafts and New Media Diversity (e.g., domestic content) Non-government data can be useful but need to focus

on official sources Need to go beyond customs data Ho to measure electronic transactions Non-tariff barriers at least as important as tariff barriers

Recommendations:Framework

Agree to not absolutely finalize OECD Framework, pending final UNESCO report

Agree to continue work of a subset of areas e.g.:– Film and Video– Radio and Television– Performing Arts– Publishing– Libraries– Museums

Focus on only 2 areas, Concentrate of developing solid detailed definitions that

can be related to all standards in use

Recommendations:Framework definition

Create expert group, including UNESCO, to complete work on submission of ISCO updates.

For remaining aspects, work with an agreed upon subset of culture areas.

Using expert groups to develop detailed translations to all major classification standards being used by members, including algorithms for apportioning mixed classes

Use these translations to collect data from OECD member countries

Measures

International Comparable Measures should– Be measurable– Be truly comparable– Be rational at international level– Be useful for national policy makers

Both social and economic measures are important Less agreement on appropriate social measures but

definitely need more detailed data General agreement on some economic measures Public Expenditures important but needs further

development of good methodology for the areas where the framework expert group has developed detailed translations

Recommendations: Measures

Continue to work with external groups to establish appropriate measures of social impact to be included in a suite of measures

Collect data on Output, GDP, Employment, Work with UNESCO and others to support

development of trade statistics Participation considered important but still

much exploration required Work with external groups to assemble

comparable data on participation

Satellite Accounts Decision is strategic Forces coherence and provides rigour to culture data

and comparability with economies as a whole Should start from a wider rather than narrower definition

– easier to split out a sector than add one in Flexibility - can be developed in stages don’t need to

everything at once Raise the profile of culture within government

organizations Countries interested would benefit from an international

forum Convenio Andrés Bello, Chile, Mexico, Finland willing to

share expertise

Recommendations – Satellite Accounts

OECD explore the possibility of setting up a group of experts – Initially to promote the use of satellite

accounts for culture in member countries

– Subsequently to develop a methodological design for the implementation of satellite accounts