The World Bank The Virtual Statistical System Doha, Qatar – December 8, 2010 Ingrid Ivins Statistician, Statistical Development and Partnership Team Regional Coordinator for MNA Statistical Capacity Projects Acknowledgement : The VSS was envisaged and developed by Mr. Ronald Luttikhuizen, Sr. Economist/Statistician, Statistical Development and Partnership Team

Overview Virtual Statistical System (VSS) 1.Educational content 2.VSS Wiki 3.Discussion Groups 4.VSS eLearning program

Task Team Annette Kinitz, Iris Buchinger, and Ingrid Ivins Development Gateway team and DECDG leadership. Paris 21 Task Team: IMF, European Commission, UNSD, Germany, India, Ghana, Paris 21, Development Gateway, World Bank

Why VSS? VSS addresses serious knowledge (shortage) problems in partner countries. Including: –Lack of access to knowledge –People leave / newcomers need to be retrained –Archiving –Provides easy accessible study materials –Deliver statistical knowledge for all

VSS idea, project, process VSS is the beginning, but not the end 2,500 – 3,000 web pages: –Introduction sections and full text sections (user can choose how in-depth to research) –Hundreds of links to other websites / documents. –VSS needs to remain vibrant and timely

About VSS Structure: Activities and Themes Content: about 150 topics (modules), with about 600 sub modules Interactive: Comments on VSS webpages, VSS Wiki, Discussion groups Search function

Structure - left side Activities General information. Relevant for each statistical project in official statistics. Activity Classification is based on the Overall Statistical Production Process. Provides the “building blocks” of statistical systems. Selected links/resources.

Structure - right side Themes About specific subjects, topics, projects, issues. Topics related to statistical projects. Based on the UN/ECE/OECD/Eurostat Classification about statistics. VSS Themes rich with information. Information can always be added in the future.

You Can Participate VSS Wiki –can select a region, leave a comment, ask questions –users can start building their own knowledge base Discussion Groups –starts by selection of a region, then create a topic –participants can start and/or join Registration Only registered users can participate; limits spam

VSS eLearning program Topics Management (10 topics – 20 lessons) Labor (10 topics – 20 lessons) Justice and Security (10 topics – 20 lessons) GIS (3 topics – 6 lessons) Different types Fully Animated: 6 Slides (some with voice-over) and detailed notes: 60

Uses of the VSS To learn. Checklist: can choose only what you need to know. Portal, one stop shop. Facilitates: Designing blueprints for change. To educate. To share knowledge. To exchange views with other NSOs/agencies.

Next phase for the VSS Marketing campaign: to come. Training programs – Certification. Consultancy services – several options. Increased activity on the website. Integrated in all statistical projects. Country-customized and regional courses. To be extended – content, languages.

Thank You For Your Attention Contact information: Mr. Ronald Luttikhuizen, VSS Project Manager