The vital role of social statistics 4. A sound system of social statistics is vital to the effective development of social policy, to informed decision-making on policy issues, and to the evaluation of the impact of social and economic policy. For many countries, inadequate systems of social statistics constitute a major impediment to effective social development. Insufficient awareness of the importance of the linkages between policy development and social statistics, the need for more internationally agreed statistical standards and guidelines, and the need for improved frameworks in which to summarize policy outcomes all point to the need for greater national and international priority to be given to social statistics. 5. To acquire the necessary capability to monitor country progress in achieving the outcomes of the policy themes of major United Nations conferences, a good understanding of the linkage between sound social data systems and effective social policy development is a prerequisite. This calls for partnership between national statistical offices (NSOs) and policy makers to ensure that statistical objectives and priorities are focused on providing the data foundations necessary for effective social policy development. 6. It should be noted that since the 1940s an understanding of the linkages between economic statistics and economic policy issues has guided statistical efforts in such areas as labour, prices, national accounts, government finance and balance of payments, to the benefit of economic policy monitoring and development. 7. The international community (NSOs, international statistical bodies and funding agencies) needs to accept responsibility for supporting the development of social statistics in each country as an urgent priority in the programme to implement the recommendations of the World Summit for Social Development. - United Nations, Economic and Social Council, 1996
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:22:19 +0000
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