1. Promoting effective use of statistical data for policy making Building on existing successes Yanhong Zhang Statistics Division/ESCAP 15 November 2011

2. Statistics programme of ESCAP Promote use of statistics for evidence-based decision-making Support development of demographic, economic, social and environmental statistics Facilitate implementation of existing and new international standards Support capacity of NSOs to produce, disseminate and use data in accordance with internationally agreed standards and good practices 2 3. 3 4. Initiative to promote use of statistical data Target at national capacity Focus on strengths and instead of weaknesses Diversity across region: Challenges Opportunities Systematic approach Consultation with leaders and senior experts in NSOs, line ministries and development partners Pilot 4 5. Case studies of good practices Australia: Collection and use of statistical data on student transition outcomes Bangladesh: Population and Housing Census 2011 India: New tools and techniques for agricultural statistics Nepal: Survey on hard drug users Maldives: Publishing of statistical yearbook Mongolia: ezStat application for statistical data dissemination Philippines: Community-based Monitoring System (CBMS) Bhutan: Poverty mapping using small area estimation technique Mongolia: Mongolia in World Competitiveness report New Zealand: Use of energy end use data in improving energy efficiency Thailand: Using statistical data to promote health equity policy Thailand: Use media to disseminate research results Vanuatu: Increasing data access for research and policy development 5 6. Case studies 6 Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal Maldives Thailand Thailand Philippines Mongolia Mongolia Vanuatu Australia NewZealand Relevant data Improve data collection Data diss Data analysis Access 7. Coverage of issues Link between data users and producers Institutional arrangement Adequate resources New technology Use of media New role of national statistical offices 7 8. 8 What is evidence-based policy? An approach which helps people make well informed decisions about policies, programmes and projects by putting the best available evidence at the heart of policy development and implementation How to use strong evidence to make a difference to policy making Achieve recognition of a policy issue Inform the design and choice of policy Forecast the future Monitor policy implementation Evaluate policy impact once the information is revealed, a new policy issue can be recognised and addressed. dimensions, nature and impact of the problem can be understood. forecasting future scenarios is important!! information is required to monitor the expected results. Key is to incorporate explicit mechanism for evaluating policy impact from the beginning 9. Enlightenment model of evidence and decision- making Evidence enhances environment of policy-making Generating clarifications of new concepts Giving hints about possible alternatives Stimulating innovative perspectives Incrementally altering language and issues discussed in policy-making circles 9 10. 10 Policy process in reality 10 Policy initiative Policy planning Engage stakeholders Gather evidence Options appraisal Decision & presentation Evaluate & review Delivery START Complex and intricate pathways between policy initiation and delivery, with opportunities for evidence gathering from different sources at various stages along the way Rather than rational and cyclical process of policy development, implementation and review 11. 11 Not just about what works, but also how things work, their broader ramifications, costs, beneficiaries, losers, and unintended effects. What is evidence? 11 An array of disciplines, evidence and research methods can be used 12. Knowledge base of what works 12 Reflect Document ShareLearn Improve Empowerment 13. 13 Framework Case studies Focus areas Criteria of good practice Template Learning process Quality assurance Actively sharing experiences Learning and improvement Knowledge base of what works 14. Defining a good practice Essential: Caused a measurable change or impact Involves both data users and producers Replicable, scalable and adaptable Adheres with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics Objectives, processes involved and outcomes are clear Desirable Innovative or demonstrates a new use of data Sustainable over time Cost effective 14 15. Documenting a good practice Problem statement Outcome achieved Details of the practice, e.g. Objective, areas covered, executing agency, implementing partners, time frame, costs, processes Success factors Challenges and solutions Recommendations for others Future plans and sustainability Feedback from beneficiaries of the practice 15 16. Key to success Knowledge base is dynamiccontinuous instead of static or one-shot deal Drill down to identify true success factors, factors attributing to the success Systematically gather and analyze information/facts to identify factors attributing to the success Context (limitations) of success Pre-requisite is motivation and ability to Reflect and share Inspired to search for solutions to own challenges 16 17. 18 More information on ESCAP statistics on related issues, e.g. Regional programme on Agricultural statistics Economic statistics Social statistics Gender statistics Publications, projects, etc. Can be found at: http://www.unescap.org/stat/