B.V.I. Thursday, October 1 – Government will join its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) neighbours in observing Caribbean Statistics Day on Thursday, October 15 under the theme Better Statistics, Better Management, Better Development Outcomes.
The observance emanates from discussions during the 33rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) which was held in October 2008 and attended by senior representatives from statistical offices in CARICOM member states.
As the Government agency responsible for acquiring and analysing statistics, the Development Planning Unit is coordinating activities in observance of the day.
Acting Director of the DPU Ms. Patlian Johnson explained the rationale of the observance to the Department of Information and Public Relations. “The idea is to highlight the role of statistics in decision making and in facilitating economic planning and analysis,” she said.
“What we hope to achieve through the various activities in observance of Caribbean Statistics Day is a greater awareness of the importance of statistics in the development planning process; showcase the functions of the DPU which functions as the central statistical office; present various career opportunities in the area of statistics and economics and garner feedback from various users of statistical data and analysis,” Ms. Johnson added.
Highlighting the activities planned for the day, Ms. Johnson said “The DPU will make career presentations at secondary schools and tertiary institutions throughout the Territory. The goal here is to expose students to statistics as a viable area of study. Also, we will officially launch two publications, Career Guide to the Development Planning Unit and Why does the Virgin Islands need good statistics?”
Also on October 15, the DPU will host an open house during which members of the public are invited to come in to learn more about the department and its operations. The local observance of Caribbean Statistics Day will culminate with a panel discussion focusing on the topic, The Importance of Statistics of the Development of the Virgin Islands and according to the Acting DPU Director, the panel with comprise of experts in the areas of statistics, economic development, finance and socio-economic research.
It is envisaged that the observance of Caribbean Statistics Day will lead to an improved awareness of statistics; give greater insight into the process of producing statistics; increase the credibility of statistics produced and establish new partnerships in the development of statistics.
The observation is also intended to facilitate the placement of statistics high on the development agenda in the BVI and its Caribbean neighbours; encourage and develop a culture of statistics among Caribbean persons, foster increased collaboration with data producing or statistical units in agencies and departments of governments as well as sensitise and inform users, suppliers and producers on the importance of statistics in making informed policy decisions.
British Virgin Islands News