IN ACTION StatisticsNEWSLETTER FROM STATISTICS SWEDEN JANUARY 2019

SDGs in action HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OFFICE’S NOTE

CONTENTS

Training and networking for SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT gender equality...... 3 GOALS IN ACTION Georgia on my mind...... 4–5

Environmental statistics – the Malian way...... 5

The success story of Somali price MONITORING THE SDGS presupposes Themes have included building strong statistics ...... 6 robust and capable National Statistical national statistical systems based on Institutes and National Statistical register data, capacity development A study visit by a Somali Systems. Statistics Sweden supports and coordination, and innovative delegation to TurkStat...... 7 the development of statistical capacity approaches to capacity development. Director General Joakim Stymne throughout the world, with a particular What stands out at these events is that in Kenya and Somalia ...... 7 focus on SDG targets 17.18 and 17.19 on Statistics Sweden lies at the forefront of A week in Stockholm – IAEG-SDG data, monitoring and accountability. statistical capacity development. from the inside...... 8 This issue of Statistics in action shows One success factor in our efforts some snapshots of our partnerships and is how we share our expertise in a Reflections from the IAEG-SDG Working Group on Geospatial connections to various SDGs. peer-to-peer model that builds on information...... 9 However, Statistics Sweden can do devoted Statistics Sweden staff. Much more to contribute to SDG monitoring. of this devotion is based on the insight 2030 Agenda – Swedish In connection with the recent IAEG- that Statistics Sweden, as an institution, perspectives...... 9 SDG meeting in November last year (see learns and develops from working with ”Leaving no one behind” pages 8 – 9), Statistics Sweden brought our partners globally (see article on – developing regional capacities together representatives from partner Statistics Sweden DG Joakim Stymne on in migration statistics...... 10 agencies around the world to look page 7). From awareness to action further into this issue. An impressive Last year, the Swedish Government – bilateral partnership with group, including a number of Directors decided on a ‘Strategy for capacity Bangladesh Bureau of General, met for a one-day workshop. development, partnership and Statistics ...... 11 The conclusion of the workshop methods that support the 2030 Agenda From the experts’ discussions was that there are for Sustainable Development’. This point of view...... 12 common challenges, such as strengthens Sweden’s role as a global capacity development of new enabler of the implementation of the statistical stakeholders, metadata 2030 Agenda. Statistics Sweden remains and the widening of the statistical committed to contributing to this community, budget constraints and the endeavor and in playing its part to make coordinating role of NSIs. We see this progress towards the SDG agenda. Statistics IN ACTION meeting as a starting point for a process Newsletter from Statistics Sweden of learning from one another. Contact person: Stefan Andersson Since I took up the position as head Editor: AnnaCarin Paavo of International Cooperation Office Editorial Office: in February last year, I have had the Raitis Sedlenieks Anna Blomen opportunity to engage directly with Björn Richard the global statistical community at, for Eva Tofvesson Redz instance, the UN Statistical Commission email: [email protected] meeting and the UN World Data Forum. Stefan Andersson International Cooperation Office Statistics Sweden has actively hosted Head of Unit Statistics Sweden, Box 24300 International Cooperation Office S-104 51 Stockholm, Sweden and co-hosted sessions and events [email protected] email: [email protected] together with other development ISSN: 2002-0902 partners and our project partners. Cover: UN/SDG

2 Training and networking for gender equality Achieving gender equality is one of the key cross-cutting issues in the Agenda 2030, as well as having an entire dedicated goal, SDG 5, with some six targets to be achieved. From the right: Chum Puthivan (NIS), Kem Keothyda (Parlament Institute of Cambodia), Thak Socheat (CWCC), Yit Viriya (NIS), Johan Tollebrandt (Statistics Sweden) TO HELP IMPROVE gender equality across “Currently, Gender Statistics plays a very the world, Statistics Sweden offers a training important role in the line Ministries. They are programme in gender statistics, which very eager to add gender statistics indicators, provides participants with a new outlook and and to produce more comprehensive data tools to further examine data and identify for user needs in their Gender Equality Plans. gender gaps, the International Training Gender Statistics indicators, in particular, Programme (ITP) in gender statistics. Here are essential for following up the sustainable is some of the feedback received from development goals in the 2030 Agenda.” participants in the programme. The last stage of the programme includes “Before attending the ITP, we were the task of communicating the results of communicating all statistics indiscriminately, change projects as a statistical product. This without paying attention to how these can take the form of training materials, or statistics impacted women and not a booklet with disaggregated statistics for highlighting gender gaps that are present in women and men, which allows for broader our society. Going forward, in communicating analysis of gender equality issues. This stage statistics, we can point out the gaps and also emphasises communication methods propose how they can be corrected”, says Ivan that highlight the statistics in national media, Mafigiri Kanyeheyo, Information Officer at the in order underscore these issues, and engage Uganda Bureau of Statistics. policy-makers. In Cambodia, for example, the One of the exercises in the programme launch of the booklet “Women and Men in includes establishing a network of various Cambodia – Facts and figures 2018” in April actors to secure continued cooperation 2018, attracted a large audience of policy- between users and producers of statistics. In makers, stakeholders and three TV channels. Tanzania, the “Network for Gender Equality With support from Statistics Sweden, Statistics Tanzania Chapter”, a registered knowledge of gender statistics, and national network for gender statistics, was communication and management skills, set up inspired by the National Bureau ITP participants can help bridge the gap of Statistics’ participation in the ITP. The between men and women in Sweden’s partner network’s stated purpose is to continue countries, leading to more equal societies – a to strengthen capacity in order to build priority in Swedish development cooperation Tanzania’s ability to produce gender statistics. for many years. This type of network facilitates cooperation Martin Hansen between users and producers of statistics, and [email protected]

connects the participating organisations with a The International Training Programme in Gender Statistics runs in the large number of stakeholders. period 2016–2021. The aim of the programme is to develop capacity Vit Viriya, Bureau Chief at the National and develop methodology around gender statistics. Mentors come primarily from Statistics Sweden, and there are also lecturers from other Institute of Statistics (NIS) in Cambodia, points Swedish government agencies and organisations, as well as international to the Sustainable Development Goals as a organisations such as the UN. Participating countries in the current motivator at government level. In this light, programme are Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Palestine and Bangladesh. capacity developed in NIS after participating in Countries invited to apply for the programme in 2019 are Cambodia, Myanmar, Zambia, Liberia and Ethiopia. the ITP becomes highly relevant.

STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 3 GEORGIA

Georgia on my mind In June 2018, the cooperation project between Statistics Sweden and Geostat was finalised after seven years. The project has been very fruitful and it is safe to say that Geostat has improved its capacity to develop and produce quality statistics. This is important for the ability to produce and disseminate statistics in all SDG areas. The project focused in particular on Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental statistics and gender equality. This is particularly apparent in Georgia’s ability to report on its progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE of Georgia, dedicated staff of Geostat, who worked hard to Geostat, produces official statistics and coordinates achieve good results and to learn from the Swedish the national statistical system in Georgia. Geostat’s experts. Another positive factor has been the headquarters are located in the capital, Tbilisi, with flexibility in steering the project, which meant several regional offices around the country taking that, faced with new circumstances, it was possible care of much of the data collection. to adjust the direction of the project to adapt to The cooperation project with Statistics Sweden the current situation. started in May 2011, and was initiated by the then Executive Director Zaza Chelidze. The objectives Increased focus on quality assurance of the project were to help The project has supported the establishment “A key factor for the improve the competence of the of a new subdivision with responsibility for successful outcome staff at Geostat and to develop methodology and quality at Geostat. Thanks to of the project was the overall functioning of the subdivision’s hard work, the awareness of the ambitious Geostat. In the second phase, and focus on quality has increased substantially. which started in 2015, the A Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) has been and dedicated objective was broadened with implemented that provides guidance and evidence staff of Geostat.“ an increased focus on producing for the implementation of the European Statistics statistics in line with the EU and Code of Practice when developing, producing and international standards. During the last two years disseminating statistics. of the project, the SDGs also palyed an important This subdivision is also responsible for the SDG role. indicators. As the main authority that produces The project has, on the whole, delivered results official statistics, and as the coordinator of the in line with the overall objectives and Geostat is national statistical system, Geostat plays a key now ready to continue its journey without support role in monitoring the implementation of SDGs from Sweden. A key factor in the successful in Georgia. The SDGs are relevant for all areas outcome of the project was the ambitious and

4 STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 NOTICE

covered by the project and have influenced the development of new statistics, not least within environmental and gender statistics.

Gender equality on the agenda Gender statistics (measuring SDG 5 Gender equality) was not initially included in the project, but was introduced in 2014 and subsequently became one of the key components of the project. The primary goal has been to remake the booklet “Women and Men in Georgia” with new indicators and improved approaches to presenting gender statistics. This Environmental development has “Awareness of been successful Geostat’s work on statistics – and two editions gender statistics of the redesigned has increased and the Malian way booklet have been published, with a gender-related During a chilly week in November last year, a large number of issues have been delegation from Mali visited Statistics Sweden, new indicators and more highlighted.“ the Swedish Environmental Research Institute a new user-friendly and the Swedish University of Agricultural layout. Gender statistics have been promoted, Sciences for assistance in producing statistics on in order to increase usage and to put gender emissions to air from various sectors. equality on the national agenda. Interest in In order to meet the demands for gender equality has increased in Georgia, and environmental data needed to follow up the there was great interest from media and other many environment-related goals in the 2030 users when Geostat published its booklet in Agenda, many countries are starting to develop 2015 and in 2017. In recent years, a number of their systems for environment statistics. As gender seminars have also been organised, many as six of the Sustainable Development with participants from the parliament, several Goals have a focus on various aspects of the ministries, NGOs and media. environment (see SDGs 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15). One could definitely say that awareness In Mali, just as in Sweden, statistics on of Geostat’s work on gender statistics has emissions to air are produced by various increased and gender-related issues have been different institutions. This is why the delegation more highlighted in Georgia. included representatives of the National Institute of Statistics, the Ministry of Thomas Bjurenvall Trade and Industry and the Ministry of [email protected] Agriculture. Johan Eklund During their five-day working visit, the [email protected] delegation reviewed the international standard on emissions statistics and examined the level of compliance in existing Malian data material. Issues that were discussed included other data sources and how to design indicators based on data from different sources. Next in line is a mission on emissions to air from the waste sector that will take place in mid-2019.

Cathy Krüger [email protected]

STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 5 SOMALIA

The success story of Somali price statistics As specified in SDG Targets 17.18 and 17.19, capacity-development support to the least developed countries is a priority. Since 2016, Statistics Sweden has had a three-year cooperation project with two Somali statistical departments and a directorate: the Directorate of National Statistics (DNS) in the Federal government of Somalia, the Central Statistics Department (CSD) in Somaliland and the Puntland Statistical Department (PSD) in Puntland state of Somalia.

Data collection for the CPI. THE PROJECT’S MAIN OBJECTIVE is to still needed to increase knowledge among strengthen the statistical capacity in the the staff and to improve compliance with country, with the aim of facilitating decision- international standards. makers’ awareness, understanding and trust Statistics Sweden supported a review of in statistical data. The project specifically previous CPI publications, the introduction of supports improved production of the Gross new price weights, and the development of a Domestic Product (GDP), improved quality of CPI manual for the three statistical directorate/ the Consumer Price Index (CPI), production of departments. New publication templates were gender statistics, the analysis of social statistics, also developed and, most importantly, the as well as the process of making all these entire CPI series from the past five to six years statistics accessible for all users. The project was recalculated, especially for the DNS and touches upon many of the SDGs, such as the PSD, using new weights from last year’s Goal 5 and Goal 8. Statistics Sweden also household survey, the High Frequency Survey, supports improved management of the wave 1. statistical departments. Now, Somali statistics departments proudly Have the goals been achieved? The answer, publish monthly, quality-reviewed CPIs that given by Somali partners, the external and comply with international standards, and independent evaluation, and other statistical in the near future, steps will also be taken to users, is “yes”. One prominent area with improve the entire production process, from successful results is the production and the data collection phase to the publication of improvement of the CPI. final results. The Somali CPI has been produced regularly For more information, see the latest CPI for the past 15 years. Before the start of this publications from DNS, PSD and CSD on the project, the African Development Bank and the websites below: International Monetary Fund provided various n http://www.dns.org.so/ kinds of support to the DNS, the CSD and the n http://pl.statistics.so/ PSD to improve the quality of the CPI. So the n http://www.somalilandcsd.org/ essential knowledge was already available to the departments. Nevertheless, support was Jean-Pierre Ntezimana [email protected]

6 STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 SOMALIA

Teaming up with a third party – study visit by a Somali delegation to the Statistical Institute of Turkey (TurkStat)

A HIGH-LEVEL STUDY VISIT was made by a Somali delegation to the Statistical Institute of Turkey (TurkStat) from 17 to 20 September 2018 with the support of Statistics Sweden. The delegation included representatives from the Directorate of National Statistics of the Federal Government of Somalia and from the Puntland Statistical Departments. The Turkish experience shows that it takes The study visit was rich in experience and a lot of time and work, but also that the provided inspiration for the Somali statistical necessary human, material and organisational authorities on how to effectively organise resources must be put in place to build a and manage the different Somali statistical national statistical production system that departments. is efficient and meets the needs of users. The study visit focused on TurkStat’s The study visit also offered an opportunity to management set-up, statistical production discuss the potential involvement of TurkStat and coordination processes as well as in the upcoming second project phase. communication and dissemination. Jean-Pierre Ntezimana [email protected]

Director General Joakim Stymne in Kenya and Somalia

IN JUNE 2018, Statistics Sweden’s General Director Joakim Stymne visited Kenya and Somalia as part of an ongoing cooperation. In addition to meeting with direct partners – the Directorate of National Statistics in Somalia and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics – he also met with other actors in the National Statistical Systems, including users like civil society and media. Here, he shares some of his impressions from the visit. “My first spontaneous impression is how much benefit we are providing through our Director Stymne in newspaper interview in Somalia institutional cooperation. The fact that we development cooperation exposes you more help bring about results is indisputable, and broadly to Statistics Sweden’s operations, and our Statistics Sweden staff, both long-term cooperating with and training colleagues in and short-term experts, are tremendously developing countries helps you hone your own appreciated by our partners. It was also clear skills and offers new unique impressions and that we are much appreciated by the Swedish experiences. embassy – both the Kenya and Somalia sections I believe such experiences make you better – as a government agency providing Swedish equipped to have an overall perspective on development cooperation. Statistics Sweden’s operations once you return Another impression was how taking part home, and boosts your capacity for some in our development cooperation, besides excellent work.” contributing to societal benefits in other countries, also contributed to capacity Nizar Chakkour [email protected] development among our staff. Taking part in

STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 7 IAEG-SDG MEETING

A week in Stockholm – IAEG-SDG from the inside Viveka Palm from Statistics Sweden represents Sweden in the IAEG SDG. As of 2019, Sweden will co-chair the IAEG-SDG together with Tanzania. Below, Viveka gives her reflections on the global follow-up.

In the panel: Heather Page and Francesca Perucci, UNSD, Enrique Ordaz Lopez, INEGI, Mexico, Angela Me, UNODC

IN NOVEMBER, Statistics Sweden co-hosted the discusses how the follow-up can identify data to 8th meeting of the Inter- Agency and Expert represent vulnerable groups to meet the pledge Group on Sustainable Development Goal of leaving no one behind. Indicators (IAEG-SDG). The meeting was co-hosted together with the UNSD and Sida. 2020 overview One of the main aims of the group is The process of the 2020 overview of the indicator to ensure that the follow-up process is system was discussed and some criteria were underpinned by some national statistics. proposed. In 2019, the group will assess the This will enable countries to be in the driver’s system to review any need for improvements. seat of development and follow up. No major changes are expected. The purpose of this overview is to take stock of what we have Discussing definition and method maturity learned so far during implementation. There An important item on the meeting agenda are still goals with no indicators, notably the was to discuss which indicators are ready climate goal, as the targets under that goal are for use. Once the indicators are defined and fairly difficult to follow up. However, there will adequately transparent they can be applied. be other opportunites to address that goal. Once indicators can be calculated in a sufficient number of countries, they can be used in a Who was there? global follow-up. The IAEG-SDG includes statisticians from 28 countries. At the meeting, the group Working groups for tricky issues also welcomed a large number of observers The goals are inter-connected in many ways and and cooperating organisations. Roughly 80 expressing this with statistical analyses is still a countries, 60 international organisations and 20 work in progress. civil society organisations, as well as researchers, The Working Group on Interlinkages teamed up to advance the 2030 Agenda follow- presented its first findings at the meeting and up. Thanks to financing from Sida and a very showed some examples of such analyses. That dedicated team, the meeting was an excellent work will continue and go more into depth. opportunity to exchange more knowledge There are separate working groups to address on how efforts to implement indicators was other areas that also need more attention. progressing. One group describes best practices on how geospatial data can combine with statistics to Viveka Palm produce some of the indicators. Another group [email protected]

8 STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 IAEG-SDG MEETING

Reflections from the IAEG-SDG Working Group on Geospatial information THE 2030 AGENDA pledges to leave no one provides a global framework on statistical and behind. When applying this pledge to a geospatial integration, developed under the UN geographic location, it is important to be able to Global Geospatial Information Management, show, for example, how the situation of people which countries are starting to implement. living in cities differs from that of people living Many indicators also describe the condition in rural areas. This challenge can be resolved by of the planet: land degradation, water resources asking questions in traditional sample surveys. and forests. Some of the data for these However, a more cost-effective way to link indicators comes from various global reporting people to a place is to build on the integration of mechanisms, but countries are also starting existing statistical and geospatial data sources. to use Earth Observations to monitor national More and more countries are using a flexible conditions. These questions and more will be approach for setting up statistical production discussed when the group holds its meetings in in the integration of statistical/administrative 2019. data with geospatial data. This makes it possible Marie Haldorson to monitor accessibility more accurately, Director of the Director General’s Office, Co-chair of the IAEG whether it is access to green space, all-season SDG Working Group on Geospatial information roads or public transport. The United Nations [email protected]

2030 Agenda – Swedish perspectives

WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY adopted implementation in a national and global the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, perspective. the governments of the Member States of the Coordination and collaboration are key United Nations committed to take bold and in a well-managed decentralised statistical transformative steps that are urgently needed to system. As responsibility for the necessary data shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient and statistics is distributed among 30 agencies path. and organisations, a strong coordinating role At the same time, they committed to is required. However, this role also needs to assuming the primary responsibility for the emphasise collaboration, as there are very few follow-up and review, at the national, regional tools for authoritative coordination available. and global levels, in relation to the progress Statistics Sweden is currently in the process made in implementing the Sustainable of coordinating the statistical follow-up. In a Development Goals (SDGs) and targets over first step, all the relevant stakeholders were the coming 15 years. This commitment led the invited to a kick-off meeting to discuss common Swedish Government to commission Statistics goals, responsibilities and challenges. The aim Sweden to propose a structure for the statistical is that this will lead to greater understanding follow-up and review in Sweden. on what the system can achieve when we work This assignment, given to Statistics Sweden together, looking beyond our individual tasks in February 2017, also included the production and responsibilities. of a baseline report to serve as one of the Statistics Sweden looks forward to building primary inputs for the national voluntary report a trustful partnership with data producers and to be submitted on behalf of Sweden at the users to make a vital contribution toward the High-level Political Forum in mid- 2017. implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to The final report of the assignment sparked maximise and track progress to ensure that no great interest among stakeholders in Sweden one is left behind. and, in June 2018, Statistics Sweden was Sara Frankl, 2030 Agenda coordinator at Statistics Sweden. Co- issued the responsibility of coordinating the chair of the UN Economic Commission for Europe CES Steering development, production and availability of the Group on Statistics for SDGs statistical follow-up of the Swedish 2030 Agenda [email protected]

STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 9 “Leaving no one behind” – developing regional capacities in migration statistics In early 2019, Statistics Sweden will embark on a new type of cooperation project, which will focus on improving statistical capacity in the Regional Economic Communities in Africa. This project aims to bring about key improvements in migration statistics across the African continent, and recognizes the key role of regional organisations in accomplishing these changes.

“LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND” is one of the the Swedish International Development overarching principles underlying the 2030 Agency and the African Union Statistics Unit Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. have discussed how they could help improve Nowhere is this principle more apparent than in the capacity of selected Regional Economic the area of migration. Community organisations to develop Migration is one of the key development regionally harmonised statistics on migration. perspectives on the African continent today, The proposed project recognizes that Regional with more and more countries being affected Economic Community organisations have an by significant flows of migrants. However, important role to play migrants, and the effects of migration, have not in building regional been systematically measured in the past. consensus and in At least five of the Sustainable Development helping member states Goals touch on migration, making it one of the improve their national most cross-cutting issues within the Agenda. networks for compiling Migration is also unique, because it affects a migration statistics. wide variety of domains, such as population The project aims to development, the economy through improve and spread remittances and funds, labour markets and knowledge about exploitation of natural resources, human migration at national rights and conflict management. Migration and regional level, as Interview in small enterprise in Kenya. crosses country boundaries and organisational well as at the international level. jurisdictions. Policy-makers are recognising Three on-site advisors will provide support that they cannot implement their policies to the selected regions, assisted by local and achieve their goals without a grasp of the statistical officers to be recruited within the current status of migration, and its progression project. At the same time, the project will work over time. This has led to increased focus on to coordinate the various initiatives, and will developing migration statistics, in order to cooperate closely with other stakeholders such make progress in policy implementation, to as UN ECA, the IOM and the ILO in its efforts to follow up on these initiatives, and to understand achieve results. the issues even better. However, there are any number of Cathy Krüger [email protected] challenges when it comes to measuring migration flows. Disparate definitions, data access, the challenge of combining data The project will focus on from different sources, data collection from n developing regional and continental capacity; countries and regions where there is little or n establishing guidelines and structures; no information, and the dissemination of data n building networks and forums for discussion, and n identifying new methods, new data sources, at national, regional and international level. new ways of acquiring the data that is needed. To meet these challenges, Statistics Sweden,

10 STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 BANGLADESH

From awareness to action – bilateral partnership with Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics A bilateral cooperation between the national statistical institute in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), and Statistics Sweden will start up in early 2019. The project will directly address Sustainable Development Goals 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Swedish project manager Muhanad Sammar meets with the Director-General of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Dr. Krishna Gayen.

THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE is to enhance statistical methodology. The project will Interview in small enterprise in Kenya. access to good quality statistics from BBS to also involve designing and implementing a other institutions and the general public, and communication strategy, with the primary goal thus support BBS in its role as the national of highlighting statistics produced by BBS. statistical institute in Bangladesh. With our To help prevent information from being partnership, we hope to help further strengthen shown in a false light and provide ammunition BBS’s legitimacy and authority in the national to critics, the project will strive to increase statistical system and, in turn, increase the access to metadata. This, in turn, will help build credibility of and reliance on statistics among trust in BBS, as hopefully more data users will the public, as well as awareness of good quality reach out to BBS for statistics. statistics. This may lead more decision-makers To further improve the quality of the in Bangladesh to base their decisions primarily statistics and make them more attractive, the on statistics provided by BBS. Good quality project will set up user and donor coordination statistics are vital for evidence-based decision- groups. making, and can help improve living conditions Are you interested in statistics, or how to for people in Bangladesh and further enhance use them in your research? Contact BBS, trust in decision-makers and institutions. www.bbs.gov.bd, or the project. Statistics help This project will focus on three subject highlight inequality in the world and hopefully matter areas with links to SDGs – gender, lead to actions to improve, for example, living labour market and environment, as well as conditions. two cross-cutting areas – management and Muhanad Sammar [email protected] STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019 11 From the experts’ point of view At Statistics Sweden, many employees work not only with their daily tasks, they also take part in short-term missions in our partner countries. This is an intrinsic part of Statistics Sweden’s peer-to-peer capacity development model. Here, we hear from three short-term experts about their missions, and why the missions are important.

How does it feel to work “It would be incredibly difficult to as a short-term expert accomplish the current excellent outcome on a project for just one without a long-term consultant on the week? ground. In some cases and in some countries, Victoria Granström capacity and ideas abound in the country’s works at the Register organisation, which leaves things in the hands Unit at the Economic of the long-term consultant and their ability Statistics Department, to work with the staff in the organisation. In and her main focus lies the long run, responsibility regarding personal in business databases chemistry lies with the long-term consultant. and the VAT Register. The long-term consultant is our bridgehead Victoria has worked on short-term missions to in a country and an organisation. Without a Albania to contribute her knowledge on the long-term consultant, many contributions VAT Register. “I have just completed my second would probably be slow, or pointless. It is also mission. There is a sense of adventure in not important that the long-term consultant has knowing exactly what is expected of you and in good timing, social skills and a sensitivity in not knowing what is already available and what shaping tasks and the level of ambition for short- really needs to be addressed. My first mission term consultants.” Geographical information is was good – it was exciting, even though it was important for many indicators across most of unclear in advance how the week was going to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. progress. Even if I didn’t have any particular expectations, or a clear idea of what was Why do we need more people expected of me in the beginning, the mission to work as short-term experts? went very well.” Economic Statistics mainly Thomas Helgesson works deals with Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9 at the Population and Welfare and 12. Department, at Social Welfare. For the past five years, he has What was the interaction been Product Manager for the like with the Statistics Surveys on Living Conditions, Sweden representative and has also been a subject who had worked on the matter expert for the past year. project for some time? “Previously, I took part in Jerker Moström Statistics Sweden’s 2030 Agenda group as a works on geographical subject matter expert. The SDGs inform more information systems at or less all projects, regardless of whether Urban Management and you work on statistics on individuals, health Tourism, at the Regions indicators, poverty indicators, or anything and Environment else. This makes ICO short-term missions a Department. Jerker’s main focus is on practical way of contributing to efforts towards geographical analyses and statistics on land achieving the 17 Global Goals.” use, which sometimes means helping other departments and units on information using Martin Hansen Daniel Smith coordinates. [email protected] [email protected]

12 STATISTICS IN ACTION n January 2019