1

ISLP Newsletter

2(3) December 2010

brief... in World Statistics Day was celebrated! Please look at the list of country World Statistics Day (WSD) was celebrated on 20th October 2010 in coordinators on World Statistics Day initiatives many countries. The focus for this http://www.stat.auckland.ac. in ISLP Newsletter is on activities on nz/~iase/islp/people WSD as reported by ISLP country Burundi, , Estonia, representatives. If your country is missing, Finland, , , consider if you are interested in Iran, , Pakistan, Agentina, It was fantastic to note that this a leadership role for the ISLP. If , Portugal, special day was celebrated so your country is already listed widely. Senegal but you are interested in the ISLP, don´t hesitate to give your contact information to the ISLP The ISLP poster competition is in Making data Meaninfgful Director Reija Helenius (email: progress. We already have [email protected]). participants from 11 countries and 29 countries have informed us that ‘Statistics are they´ll market the competition in Thank you all for the past year Important!’ their country. Follow the link and best wishes for a successful a new learning http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~ia cooperation again in 2011. Let´s resources website se/islp/competition promote statistical literacy from Statistics Canada together all over the world! to get the up-to-date situation on registration. Seasonal greetings, Also visit the ISLP Competition EarlyStatistics Comenius Facebook page at Reija, Sharleen and Pedro Course http://www.facebook.com/home. ISLP Executive php?#!/pages/International-

Statistical-Literacy- 2011 Census video for the Competition/149816448366974 Deaf

The call for International Statistical Women in Statistics Literacy Project (ISLP) country Conference coordinators to promote and implement project activities continues. At present we have more than 70 country coordinators representing every continent but still many countries are missing.

You can find the list of selected country coordinators in the following link : http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/islp/people

2 International Statistical Literacy Project ● Newsletter

Celebration of World and African the national report on progress

statistical Day in Burundi towards achieving the Millennium World Statistics Day Development Goals in 2010 . Although there were financial iniatives worlwide problems, Burundi through the

Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies of Burundi (ISTEEBU) fully and jointly commemorated two Burundi events: World Statistics Day and

the Day of the African Statistical dated 18.11.2010 and 19.11.2010 by Léonard NTAKIRUTIMANA in Bujumbura, Hotel Source du Nil. The Director General of the Institute

Theme: Celebrating the many of Statistics and Economic Studies of WorldA/g Assistant Day and Director, the African Burundi (ISTEEBU), Mr. Nicolas Education Services advances of official statistics, the Statistical 2010 Edition core values of service, integrity NDAYISHIMIYE, said that despite ABS Victoria difficulties, he was able to paint a Phone: (03) 9615 7530 and professionalism. GeneralFree Call: Theme 1800 623 273 picture of significant progress in the Celebrating the many advances of official assets of his department. He cited statistics,Legenda que the descreve core values uma imagem of service, ou the establishment of legal and gráfico. integrity and professionalism institutional arsenal since 2007, the 1. Commemorative Events development and adoption of the World Day of Statistics 20.10.2010 Special Occasion Speeches (MUPIRA Pierre, national development strategy by Minister of Planning and Municipal the Government of Burundi in 2009, Development). developing the legal framework for Topics developed growth and fight against poverty, 1. History of Statistics in Burundi + fundamental principles of official statistics the second generation PRSP, etc. (NDAYISHIMIYE Mr Nicolas, Director The Minister of Planning and The Director General of ISTEEBU General of ISTEEBU) Municipal Development, Mr Peter recalled that the establishment of a 2. The Statistical Law in Burundi good strategy to help decision (Déogratias Buzingo, Agent ISTEEBU) Mupira, presented on Thursday, 3. The National Strategy for Statistical November 18, 2010 at the Hotel makers make better choices in the Development in Burundi (Mr. Vénérand Source du Nil in Bujumbura at the country's reconstruction . Statistics is Nizigiyimana, Agent ISTEEBU) opening session of the 18th World a strong element of good governance and provides a reliable Day of the African statistician. The World Day and African Statistics from 18 base for developing, managing, to 19.11.2010 day was celebrated under the monitoring and evaluating policy, Special Occasion Speeches (MUPIRA Pierre, theme "Celebrating the many Minister of Planning and Reconstruction advances in official statistics, the such as reducing poverty, he and Municipal Development) core values of service, integrity concluded. Topics developed and professionalism." His speech 1. The Statistical Law in Burundi (Déogratias Buzingo, Agent ISTEEBU) stressed the reason for the theme 2. The National Strategy for Statistical of this year, responding to the Development in Burundi ((Mr. Vénérand many successes achieved in the NIZIGIYIMANA, Agent ISTEEBU) 3. Harmonization of official statistics: the field of statistics. "The continental strategy (as part of the African development of Burundi is During the two days of work, Union) Mr Joachim NTISIBIRA, Agent impossible without statistical participants analyzed the statistical ISTEEBU) Legenda que descreve uma imagem analysis that is the basic tool for laws and their implementing 4. Theou traininggráfico. of statisticians at the the success of the Vision 2025 University of Burundi (Dominique legislation, the national strategy for Niyonzima, University of Burundi) challenge," he said. statistical development, the 5. Cyclical trends in Burundi in 2008 and problem of statistical training in the macroeconomic outlook (Jean Claude He reflected on the importance of SIBIMANA) Burundi, and the role of statistics in statistics on in the vision 2025, the the field of health. The use of 6. Importance and Challenges of statistics establishment of the institution for monitoring the MDGs in Burundi statistics in Burundi began in 1948 statistics and surveys already (Gervais KAREKUZI / UNDP) but the Legislative Decree No. 1 / 7. The problem of statistical data conducted by the statistics 17 of September 25, 2007 commonly collection services by the Ministry of department and the general census called the ‘law of statistics’ recently Commerce, Industry, Posts and Tourism of population and housing. The (Serge BIRIZANYE, Director General for enacted requires other mechanisms general census of enterprises and Trade) to be fully effective. 8. Statistics and quality of political debate (Gervais NDUWIMANA, Researcher IDEC)

Among the NatStats 2010 decisions by government, 3 Recommendations was a recognition enterprises and the whole society," that citizens must be able 'to critically remarked Mr evaluate and understand statistics' and Priit Potisepp, the Director General that 'producers of statistics should both of Statistics Estonia. "The advocate and take practical measures conference was to discuss the World Statistics Day to support enhanced statistical situation of official statistics on the iniatives worlwide education that will lead to improved threshold of the 90th birthday of statistical literacy'. Estonian statistics and the expectations and demands on The Education Services Unit of ABS statistics of the 21st century promoted World Statistics Day to information society," Mr Potisepp Australia schools across Australia and suggested explained. ways for teachers to promote statistics Based on recent statistics, the in their classrooms. conference provided an overview of

By Gai Mooney the Estonian economy, social life

and some price developments in

World Statistics Day was celebrated Estonia and in the rest of the world. at Australian Bureau of Statistics "Also the biggest event of the near (ABS) offices across the country future was discussed - the with cake, presentations and Population and Housing Census taking place in 2011," Mr. Potisepp seminars for staff and key statistics Figure 1: A Guide for Using Statistics for users. Other organisations also took Evidence Based Policy; Released on added. Experts from various subject the opportunity to celebrate and World Statistics Day, 20/10/2010 areas of statistics, the Macro- acknowledge the importance of economic Analyst of Swedbank, Ms statistics, including the Statistical Maris Lauri, and the Audit Manager Society of Australia (SSAI), the of the National Audit Office, Mr Office of Economic and Statistical Urmet Lee, made presentations. The Research, Queensland and the Opening speech was delivered by Australian Prudential Regulation Mr Jürgen Ligi, the Minister of Authority. Finance and 192 participants took part. The Australian Statistician, Mr Information about the conference is Brian Pink hosted a world Statistics available on the web site: Day seminar at the ABS Central http://www.stat.ee/49733 Office in Canberra where Professor (English)and Glenn Withers from Universities http://www.stat.ee/ulemaailmne- Australia spoke about the Figure 2: ABS staff in Victoria celebrated statistikapaev-2010 with a World Statistics Day cake importance of statistics in decision (Estonia). Photos can

making. be viewed on Facebook,

http://www.facebook.com/album.ph Mr Pink also released three papers: p?aid=531370&id=323304855460 the Guide for Using Statistics for Evidence Based Policies (cat. No. 1500.0); the Community Trust in ABS Statistics Survey results; and World Statistics Day the NatStats 2010 Conference Recommendations. in Estonia The Guide for Using Statistics was produced by the Statistical Literacy Unit of the ABS to assist people to use quality data to inform their By Aime Lauk decisions, especially in the area of CROSSWORD: policy making. The Guide has been WSD Conference: We also compiled a crossword (in highly praised by peak bodies in Estonian), using an old caricature Australia and overseas. On 20 October World Statistics Day about statistics and statistical was celebrated for the first time, under definitions. Solutions were done on The Community Trust in ABS the auspices of the United Nations. the Statistics Estonia website, Statistics Survey was conducted in Statistics Estonia organised www.stat.ee and 60 people solved July 2010 by an organisation conference "Estonian Statistics in it. Crosswords have great popularity independent of the ABS. The survey Focus" for this occasion. "Official in different events (fairs, seminars found 92% of community statistics influence everyday life very etc)but it is not possible to translate respondents 'tended to trust' or much, they enable us to observe the this one as the joke will be lost in 'trusted' ABS statistics 'a great deal' trends of social life and the economy translation. while the corresponding figure for and serve as the basis for making specialist users was 100%.

Finland 4

by Nadezhda Tsankova

In Veliko Turnovo, the medieval Professor Seppo Laaksonen capital of Bulgaria, World Statistics at Orimattila on World Day - 20 th October 2010, was Statistics Day. celebrated by a joint announcement of the ISLP Poster By Minna Korhonen Competition and a press conference with Borislav Borisov, WSD activities aim to bring statistical literacy to the director of the Regional public attention in Finland Statistical Bureau.

Educational institutions were the target for the first World Statistics Day in Finland. The goals were to highlight the significance of reliable information in everyday life and in decision making, to familiarize people with statistics and to Bulgaria promote the Official Statistics of Finland.

The producers of Official Statistics gave educational We announced the results from the institutions an opportunity to invite a visiting ex-pert to give preliminary census, the revised ISI a lecture of any topic related to statistics and statistical Declaration on Professional Ethics literacy. Altogether 13 schools vary-ing from elementary and the start of the ISLP Poster school to upper secondary school and reaching from Competition in Bulgaria together southern Finland to upper north were visited, some via with members of the national video conference. organizing committee. Information about ISLP was prepared and Professor Seppo Laaksonen, was one of the visiting experts. published by Georgy Buchvarov, a He visited an upper secondary school in Orimattila that was journalist at the regional newspaper a successor of the school he used to go to years ago. “The "Borba" and Penka Gurbozanova, a feeling that I was left with was very powerful. I noticed that journalist at Cable Radio of Veliko the school premises had gone through many changes but the Turnovo. Lectures were also given fact that statistics were given as little attention as before was to students from "St. Cyril and evident. Getting students excited of statistics was a Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo", Institute of Economics of challenge”, Seppo said. He discussed the latest results of Bulgarian Academy of Science, PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) teachers from Old School of with students and highlighted that students’ self-efficacy Economics, "Vasil Drumev" High was an important factor in the learning process. “I think that School, American College Arcus, it is vital to encourage students’ self-efficacy in studying municipal officers and and in making the best of their own lives”, Seppo said. businessmen. The Bulgarian ISLP country coordinator Nadezhda Learning materials to promote statistical literacy Tsankova published useful A number of new learning materials were also produced and information about the event on the shared via Statistics Finland’s website. The materials are Bulgarian ISLP blog: http://islp.blog.bg/drugi/2010/10/28/ free of charge and some are published in English as well as mpsg-islp-startira-vyv-veliko- Finnish. The English ma-terials were developed in tyrnovo.626167 cooperation with the ISLP-network. Look at the materials at and photographs are available on Statistics Finland’s website or at ISLP-website. the Facebook page: To attract public attention Statistics Finland prepared a http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hom e#!/album.php?aid=32220&id= press release discussing the most typical characteristics of a 100000900601764 Finnish female and male. The release was accompanied by a small exhibition of a typical Finnish at the Library of Statistics. In summary, World Statistics Day was a vast amount of work but received a reasonable amount of media attention and positive feedback from educational institutions and from visiting lecturers. School visits especially can be viewed as groundbreaking work in promoting statistical literacy as a part of the work of every statistician.

Canada International Statistical Literacy Project ● Newsletter 5

World Statistics Day beverages. At 1:00 p.m. the tick.” He went on to say that “we iniatives worlwide celebration began. Invited guests need your steady hand” in order to At Statistics Canada in and panel members were introduced see things as they really are and to “ “We are Statistics Canada ” the make good decisions. Mr. Little Ottawa by Mary Townsend first of two featured videos. It can closed with “we all have reason to be viewed on the UN’s World think about how millions of Statistics Day Canada page, Canadians believe that a sound StatCan's external site and YouTube. statistical system is a vital part of how Canada works.” Mr. Hall and Mr. Little comprised our panel of experts, and indulged the audience with a lively question Wayne Smith, Chief Statistician addresses the audience.Photo: J. Kerr. and answer period. The afternoon concluded with the The United Nations (UN) determined unveiling of the video, “Statistics it was time that the world Canada: An Employee Bruce Little and Peter Hall answer questions. Perspective ”. The video featured 11 acknowledged the important role of Photo: J. Kerr. official statistics in our societies and employees from various divisions, all economies. Who at Statistics Canada Next, the podium was turned over occupying unique positions at wouldn’t agree with that? The UN to Mr. Smith, who introduced our various levels of responsibility. Each chose October 20, 2010 as the day, special WSD guests and and shared their thoughts and feelings and Statistics Canada was among speakers, saying, “I want to thank about the work they do, their values the hundreds of statistical each and every one of you for your and their contributions to Canadian organizations around the globe that important contributions to the society. marked this historic occasion. The Canadian statistical system…this Chief Statistician, Wayne Smith, felt occasion would not be complete this was a day to also acknowledge without hearing from some of our the valuable contributions of all stakeholders and data users.” Up statistical employees, since first were our invited guests from statistics are only as good as the the National Bureau of Statistics of , who spoke about their people who make them possible: Cake! Photo: J. Kerr. “On World Statistics Day, I wish to successful collaboration with In closing, Mr. Smith thanked the recognize the critical role you play Statistics Canada on the Statistical invited guests, the panel and the in supporting official statistics in Management and Information men and women of Statistics Canada Canada and look forward to your Program—an important partnership for their continued effort and continued collaboration.” Work on that spans over 15 years. We were dedication to quality. Shortly after the event began in March 2010, honoured to hear delegation 2:35 p.m., the chairs were removed when our participation in the event members speak about the benefits to accommodate a greater crowd. was first announced and a WSD of this truly international Two immense cakes were showcased Committee was formed. The collaboration and pleased they on either side of the entrance. committee had countless decisions joined us for the celebration. Next These were soon sliced up and to make about who, what, where, to speak was Peter Hall, Vice- served to the celebrants. We all how and when. But, finally, posters president and Chief Economist at belong to something important and went up, a venue was decided on Export and Development Canada, the work we do here matters—and it and invitations were sent out. who shared his point of view on the importance of the work we do. He matters to the world. Directors from all Statistics humorously likened the topic of For Students on World Statistics Canada’s divisions were asked to statistics to “watching paint dry,” Day identify three or four of their but he went on to say that although employees who wanted to attend. A the science of statistics may be Also from the Education Outreach link to a live broadcast was created regarded by many as “dreary,” the program at Statistics Canada, a new and made accessible on the Internal data we produce is invaluable and area of the Learning Resources Communications Network for plays a pivotal role in the guidance website was launched entitled employees who wished to watch of what we plan, accomplish and ‘Statistics are Important!’ which from their desktops. This meant appreciate in our society. seeks to explain What’s the use of that everyone could participate. statistics and describes Why Learn Mr. Smith next introduced Bruce with Statistics. International experts On the day Little, author, former Special define What is Statistical Literacy? To kick off the celebration, Advisor to the Governor of the Bank and, students are provided with employees on their way in to work of Canada, and former Economics examples of interesting Careers were greeted by senior managers, Writer for The Globe and Mail. He involving statistics. who wished them a happy World stressed the necessity of quality http://www.statcan.gc.ca/edu/edu Statistics Day and offered them hot statistics and strong data in order to 06/edu06f/edu06f_0003-eng.htm understand “what makes our world

Canada, At the University of 6 Toronto By Alison Gibbs

World Statistics Day was celebrated across Canada by the Statistical Society of Canada with several public lectures including the highly entertaining talk "Statistics in the Headlines" given by Prof. Jeffrey Rosenthal at the University of Toronto. The day was also marked with the appearance of a humorous video mourning the recent Canadian government decision to replace the mandatory census long-form questionnaire by a voluntary survey. The video can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntU3_x6PqpY Media coverage of these events is available. See, for example, "Census Mourned on World Statistics Day" at http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/10/20/long-form-census-world-statistics-day.html and "Statisticians mark Statistics Day with mock funeral for census" at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/statisticians-mark-statistics-day-with-mock-funeral-for- census/article1766159/

On World Statistics Day in Iran the Iranian Statistical Society distributed Iran a new educational statistics story book. Called One day with statistics it New Zealand was written in Farsi (Persian) by Afshin Ashofteh (a lecturer in the by Afshin statistics department of Isfahan University for 5 years and now working Ashofteh in the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Iran). Afshin has a By Sharleen Forbes website about statistical literacy in Farsi at www.savadeamari.com. In New Zealand on World Statistics Day we highlighted the importance of official statistics to community, national, and international development. Senegal It was a time to celebrate the work of statisticians, economists, and others who support the production of The ISLP in Senegal celebrated the first official statistics. Among World Statistics Day, October 20th 2011, by the activities on the day organizing a national and public workshop on were: 2011 Census the topic: Statistical tools for teachers and education resource. pedagogical managers within the free R software environment. Statistics New Zealand

made available a 2011 Family picture of the participants, around ISLP Senegal Coordinator, Prof. Gane Samb Lo (brown Census education resource jacket).It would be interesting to see the presence of for primary, intermediate, three women. From left to right : Dr Fatou Néné Diop and secondary schools to (ISLP deputy coordinator), Sirandou Soukouna (Msc use during the first school in Computer Sciences) Adja Mbarka Fall (Ph.D student in Statistics) term and throughout the rest of the year. The resource contains Overall view of the workshop room; Statistics and Demography Office (ANSD) in everything teachers need to preparing and executing the workshop. The participants doing their lab works with R have a successful, software. program offered to the participants and delivered by statisticians from Gaston Berger University curriculum-based unit on The event took place at the African (Saint-Louis, Senegal) was as follows: the 2011 Census. Management Institute (IAM). It was attended (1 - How to read and apply results of Surveys. by many teachers and Schools managersfrom 2 - Descriptive Statistics revisited. New Zealand Official several areas in Sénégal, under the patronage 3 - Introduction to R. Yearbook 2010 Statistics of the Comunications and ICT Minister, 4 - Handling pedagogical data in R : One and two New Zealand released the Mister Mouhamadou Mbamba Guirassy. The dimensional cases. New Zealand Official event was covered by the National TV 5 - Case studies by participants and labs in R. Yearbook 2010 on World 6 - Panel discussions on the Statistics and their use Channel One. On November 24th, the African Statistics Day. The Statistical Daywas also celebrated, again in schools. under the auspices of the ISLP. After televison A full report is available at : yearbook provides a coverage of the two events, the french name of http://www.statpas.net/islpa/jmsnu/y2010senegal. comprehensive statistics ISLP, that is PILS (Programme International php picture of life in New de Litéracie Statistique), is now popularized. Zealand since 1893. We worked closely with the National

India by Adriana D’A melio Argentina 7

Prof. D.S.Hooda reported that in India World Statistics Day was celebrated at the University of Delhi with a The President of the International Rosario, Argentina. two day seminar on "Statistics education Statistical Institute (ISI), Professor • Third Vice-President of the and various application of statistics" on 20th and 21st Jozef Teugels, has invited national Inter-American Statistical October 2010. The audience was college students and and regional societies of Statistics Institute (IASI) faculty members from various colleges in Delhi. to celebrate World Statistics. In this • Former President of the regard, and following that call, a Argentina Society of Statistics round table has been organized (2004 - 2008) under the IX CLATSE where we discussed "Ethical Issues in Official Laura Nalbarte (Uruguay) Pakistan Statistics" maintaining, of course, a • Professor of the Faculty of strict academic and technical line. Economics and Management, The panelists addressed the issue University of the Republic, from different angles: the accuracy Uruguay. WORLD STATISTICS DAY WEEK ACTIVITIES: of the information of the statistical • Director National Institute of KINNAIRD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, LAHORE, offices, the ethical issues of future Statistics, Uruguay PAKISTAN professionals in statistics, the lack • Former Director of the Institute of Statistics, Faculty of Economics The Islamic Countries Society of Statistical Sciences organized of a code of practice in the region, World Statistics Day activities in the city of Lahore. Pakistan for etc. and Management, University of the entire week from Monday, October 18 to Saturday, October the Republic, Uruguay (2008 - 23, 2010. The Department of Statistics at Kinnaird College For The theme of the round table is 2010). Women, Lahore organized the Kinnaird College Statistics very suggestive and important. FESTIVAL (Forum for the Enlightenment of Students, Teachers, Suggestive mainly by what has been José Pascual () Innovators, Veterans, Amateurs and Learners) on Monday, 18th expressed in 1985 by Professor • Creator of the line at the October, 2010. Edmond Malinvaud, who said that: Institute of Statistical "The first service, and more often Mathematics, Pontificia Teachers and students of Statistics and/or related disciplines from the most important for those Universidad Católica de various universities and colleges of Lahore as well as a working in official statistics, is to Valparaíso, Chile. delegation of faculty and students from a college in Rawalpindi put the politicians, the leaders of • First Director of the Master Plan participated. All the sessions of the FESTIVAL were held in the the economy and the responsible in Statistics at the Catholic College Hall which was beautifully decorated with colourful and for public opinion, confronted to University of Valparaiso, Chile attractive statistical posters prepared by students of Kinnaird reality. Human groups always tend (1971 - 1973). College and other institutions. The Program consisted of seven to create their myths and • Former President of the Chilean Academic Sessions and a Prize Distribution Ceremony. The arguments in order to preserve Society of Statistics (SOCHE) (1982 academic sessions were as follows: them. Those who work in statistics, - 1985). bringing real situations, prevent • Former Chairman of the 1. Why Probability ? these myths to separate men from Statistics Education Section 2. Regression reality and to neglect the SOCHE. underlying problems”. The theme is • Professor at the Institute of 3. Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 4. Forecasting 5. therefore important for the Statistics, Pontificia Universidad Categorical Data Analysis 6. Research Methodology 7.Fathom manipulation of Official Statistics Católica de Valparaíso, Chile. and Tinkerplots that we support in several countries such as Argentina.” Eduardo Gutiérrez Peña () The Prize Distribution Ceremony included, among other things: • President of the Mexican 1. Announcement of Results of the Kinnaird Statistical Poster Statistical Association (AME). Competition 2010 (an intercollegiate competition launched by The panel was composed as follows: • Director of Department of Kinnaird College in order to encourage and train the students to Probability and Statistics, participate in the International Statistical Literacy Poster Participating Panelists: Institute for Research in Applied Competition 2010-11); Mathematics and Systems (IIMAS) Jean-Louis Bodin () of the National Autonomous 2. Short addresses by students who won prizes in the Kinnaird • Inspector General Honorary of the University of Mexico. Statistical Poster Competition; National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies of France (INSEE) Moderator 3. Keynote Address with reference to the World Statistics Day by • Former Director of International Prof. Dr. Munir Ahmad, Patron and Founding President, Islamic Juan Carlos Abril (Argentina) Countries Society of Statistical Sciences; Relations of the INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic • President of the Sociedad 4. Address by Mr. Asif Bajwa, Secretary, Statistics Division, Studies of France). Argentina de Estadística (SAE). Government of Pakistan (Chief Guest of the Prize Distribution • Former President (1999-2001) • Professor at the Institute of Ceremony); International Statistical Institute Statistical Research of the (ISI). National University of Tucuman, 5. Address by Dr. Rukhsana David, Principal, Kinnaird College • Former President (1989 - 1991) of Argentina. For Women. the IAOS (International Association • Researcher, National Research for Official Statistics). Council (CONICET) of Argentina. Feedback from participants indicated that they found the

Academic Sessions informative and interesting, the atmosphere Maria Teresa Blaconá (Argentina) Panel pleasant and inspiring, and the Prize Distribution Ceremony a Title: STATISTICAL LITERACY befitting culmination to a highly successful day. • Director of the School of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and "Who should implement? The faculty and students of the Kinnaird College Statistics Statistics, National University of Department are deservedly proud that Kinnaird College For Women in Lahore, Pakistan was the first educational institution in the world to celebrate World Statistics Day!

Portugal 8 Making Data Meaningful By Maria Manuel Nascimento A new text (part 4) of this series, with the title "A Guide to Improving Statistical Literacy”. In Portugal , grade 7 school students (ages 11-12) had fun with statistics on the first World Statistics Day: 2010. 20.10! By Vadim Isakov

We live in the age of numbers. Development of new Students created posters which included communication platforms makes different kinds of data graphic representations of survey data along easily available at our fingerprints. Reporters rave about with other information and humorous notes data journalism, ordinary bloggers actively discuss (jokes) retrieved from ALEA, the youth statistics as governments open their statistical resources website from the Official Statistical Office to people. It is not surprising, therefore, that “Wired” (INE) of Portugal. magazine, a popular publication reporting on technological innovations, called statistical literacy one of the essential skills for the 21st century.

That is why, on the initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, an international team of experts in statistics formed a group responsible for writing a new instalment of the highly acclaimed “Making Data Meaningful” series. This new text, will form part 4 of this series, with the title "A Guide to Improving Statistical Literacy”. It will cover a wide range of topics related to this field, including current initiatives and different strategies for improving statistical literacy among opinion leaders, decision makers, educators, businesses and general public. The guide will also discuss how to improve dissemination activities in different statistical organizations and provide directions on evaluating the impact of statistical literacy activities. Seen above are 7th grade (ages 11-12) The first three parts of the "Making Data Meaningful" students in a Portuguese school doing tasks series are available for free download from to celebrate the first World Statistics Day: http://www.unece.org/stats/documents/writing 2010.10.20. The final product of those tasks was a poster (one by each group) containing Part 4 is expected to be released in 2012. For more statistical information gathered from a information please contact [email protected] survey. In one task they commented on some jokes retrieved from the ALEA site in Portugal – the student site of the Official Statistical Office (INE) in Portugal. ‘Statistics are Important! ’ D i d y o u k n o w? Statistics Canada has a new learning resources

website Saleha Habibullah has been In this new section on the Statistics Canada Learning awarded the Best University Resources website, there are quotes from international Teacher Award by the Higher experts including Chris Wild, Neville Davies, Iddo Gal and Education Commission, Jane Watson reporting on 'What is statistical literacy' and Pakistan. 'Why learn with statistics.' There are also links to Statistics: Power from Data!- a guide to data collection, processing and The Award Ceremony was in analysis as well as a link that explains some interesting Islamabad on December 1, 2010 Careers in Statistics. It is available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/edu/edu06/edu06f/edu06f_0003- eng.htm The French version is available at, la version française est disponible aussi : http://www.statcan.gc.ca/edu/edu06/edu06f/edu06f_0003- fra.htm

International Statistical Literacy Project ● Newsletter 9

EarlyStatistics The above mentioned course Women in Statistics Comenius Course editions are included in the LLP by Maria Meletiou-Mavrotheris Comenius Training Database, Conference therefore individuals interested The course "EarlyStatistics: In- in attending the course can The School of Government at Victoria Service Training in Statistics apply for a Comenius (school University held a Women in Statistics Education" will be offered three education) mobility grant to conference opened by the Minister of times during 2011. This course cover both the course fees and Women's Affairs, Hon. Pansy Wong, chaired is the main outcome of the EU accommodation and subsistence by Kim Hill (a well-known journalist who is also a member of the Minister of Statistics funded Socrates-Comenius costs. In order to do so, they should contact the Lifelong Advisory Committee on Official Statistics. project Enhancing the Teaching Six talks were given by: Associate Professor and Learning of Early Statistical Learning Programme National Agency in their country. Jenny Brown: President of the NZ Reasoning in European Schools Statistical Association and Head of (Ref. No: >226573-CP-1-2005- Department of Mathematics and Statistics at 1-CY-COMENIUS-C21, 2005- Please be aware that to apply the University of Canterbury; Associate 2008). It is offered as a LLP for Sessions 1 and 2 of the Professor Megan Clark, Head of School of Comenius inservice course course, the deadline to request a Mathematics, Statistics and Operations targeting European elementary LLP grant from their National Research, Victoria University; Professor and secondary Agency is the 14th of January Natalie Jackson, Professor of Demography, school mathematics teachers. 2011. The deadline to apply for Director Population Studies Centre, Waikato University; Lisa Davies, Director, Kaipuke The course aims at helping a LLP grant for Session 3 of the course is the 29th of April 2011. Consultants Ltd; Rachael Milicich, Manager teachers improve their National Accounts, Statistics New Zealand pedagogical and content Detailed information about the course can be obtained from the and Adjunct Professor of Official Statistics, knowledge of statistics through Sharleen Forbes. LLP Comenius/Grundtvig exposure to innovative educational tools and resources, Training Database, Course and cross-cultural exchange of Reference Number: CY-2011- experiences and ideas. 070-003. http://ec.europa.eu/education/tra The following three sessions of iningdatabase/search.cfm the course have been planned Although the language of for 2011. instruction is English, Session 1: , ; participants from and May 22-29, 2011 could still participate Session 2: Nicosia, Cyprus; July even if they are not fluent in 17-24, 2011 English, since all the course Session 3: Nicosia, Cyprus; material will also be available in Sept. 11-18, 2011 their national language.

2011 Census video for the Deaf

Statistics New Zealand released a video about the 2011 Census for the Deaf. Filmed with a sign language interpreter, the video covers the importance of the census, what the information is used for, and what people need to do on census day. The video is available on www.stats.govt.nz, YouTube, and on the Deaf Aotearoa website.

Página POSTER 2 de 3 10 C O MPETITION ISLP Poster Competition 2010-2011 iSLP

ISLP Competition An example of a marketing The ISLP The ISLP Poster Competition is in Competition now progress. Rules and instructions are of the International Statistical Literacy has its own published in English, French, Facebook page: Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. The Competition goal of the International Statistical By Maria Gabriella Ottaviani http://www.faceboo Literacy Competition is to increase (National Coordinator) awareness of Statistics among k.com/pages/Internat On behalf of the Italian Committee ional-Statistical- students and teachers throughout the Literacy- world, to promote statistical literacy The registration process in for the resources and to bring together parties ongoing ISLP poster competition is Competition/149816 interested in statistical literacy in each now over. The Italian marketing 448366974 country. The ISLP Poster campaign ended up with 30 teachers Competition has started on 13th and 559 students registering for the The Facebook page September. For more details, please competition. is mainly meant for visit: teachers and http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/i Reaching such a high number of students to discuss slp/competition-second participants is thanks to a joint venture and share good Currently, thirteen countries have of the Italian Official Statisticians and already confirmed their participation: practices about of the Italian Academic Statisticians. poster making. http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/~iase/i Both the President of Istat – prof. Suggestions for the slp/competition- Enrico Giovannini – and the President second_participating_countries of the Italian Statistical Society (SIS) – development of the prof. Maurizio Vichi- accepted the page are also Examples of dissemination of this proposal to support together the ISLP welcome. competition are many. In New initiative. Zealand, the theme is “It happens in my neighbourhood” (see image). A joint committee, who translated the competition materials from English into Italian at the same time keeping contact with the ISLP International Committee, was established. The competition materials were published in the Istat and SIS websites. In addition, a message was sent to all the SIS members and Istat staff encouraging them to share the information all over Italy. Moreover, a very important factor was that the SIS President sent a message to every Italian school encouraging teachers to register. The first Statistical Olympics of Cordoba, Now Italy is about to send each teacher (OEC) in Argentina has been a welcoming message, informing them organized, with the official the amount of schools and teachers recognition of the Education subscribing for the competition and Ministry and the participation giving them additional instructions for around 200 students. More information at: the school and national competitions. http://www.cba.gov.ar/vernot Italy also wants to inform that thanks a.jsp?idNota=251829&idCan to the donations of Istat and SIS the al=56542 winners of the Italian competition will be awarded.