1. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics Framework for Cultural Statistics 2009
Simon Ellis

2. Principals behind revision
Introduction
Principals behind revision
Some discussion points based on comments received and workshops held
Next steps

3. Why update?
Globalisation of culture including digital production and dissemination
Need for a holistic view of culture incorporating heritage assets, especially intangible heritage
Need to fully reflect cultural products and practices from different countries/regions (cf Africa & NZealand on intangible)
New UNESCO conventions on heritage and diversity

4. Principals of implementation
There are NO resources for culture statistics in developing countries so we must start with what does exist, in the population census, the labour force survey, and economic data, using existing statistical frameworks > ISIC and ISCO, with CPC
Pragmatic; start with what data is available to create demand
Flexible; choice of sectors must to some degree be left to countries to reflects cultural realities ie sports.
Extensible; where there is demand for cultural statistics in more depth the Framework should guide countries in how to go beyond the ‘minimal’ ie participation surveys
Europe is the region with the most experience in cultural statistics (Latin America 2nd). Europe will be able to refine definitions and produce statistics to lead the way

5. Pragmatic Proposal; start with data that already exists
Sources; population census, labour force survey, and economic data,
International statistical classifications; ISIC and ISCO, with CPC (will add others if possible but see later)
Create demand for cultural statistics by raising questions, ie. creative cultural industries as X% of GDP or Y% of employment
Allow national cultural organisations (ministries, arts councils…) to specify what they want from NSOs
Minimise data collection costs for poor countries with other priorities – poverty reduction, primary education etc
Results
A minimum (internationally comparable?) dataset for all/most countries on cultural production and employment

6. Flexible
Must acknowledge that different countries define culture in different ways (eg Japanese food, African dress, Bhutan archery)
In other areas statistics can be ‘one size fits all’ but the essence of culture is based on differences in behaviour
Proposal;
each country to choose relevant domains
BUT domains should have international definition
Results;
comparability at the level of domain
a degree of freedom for national definitions of culture

7. Extensible
Standard should allow countries to collect minimum dataset OR pursue priority areas in depth
Proposal; where a country finds a priority domain, and has more resources, it can consider
More detailed labour survey including; amateur production, community activity, secondary occupations
Dedicated cultural participation survey
‘site specific surveys’ at festivals, monuments and other cultural occasions
Use of more detailed classifications such as CPC
EU countries can do all of this and more allowing the region to define standards and methodologies which might be adopted by other regions through the Framework and the use of Working Groups

8. The creative chain

9. Suggested structure

10. ‘Transversal dimensions’
Will be placed across all domains in preceding figure
Education;
transmission of culture between generations
development (critique) of cultural values
Traditional and local knowledge (is there a better name?)
includes elements of intangible heritage
Definition based on biodiversity convention and UN Forum of Indigenous people
Archiving and preserving;
maintaining the ‘reservoir’ of cultural masterpieces and reference points
inspiring new creative talent to build on earlier traditions (or break from it!)

11. Regional workshops – an Arab view of culture
Few Arab NSOs or Ministries of culture have a consistent view of what culture is
Culture helps define Arab identity through expressions such as traditional arts, calligraphy, spiritual knowledge and poetry.
There is a lack of co-ordination so that while data exists (eg National Monuments Record of Jordan) it may not be acknowledged as such
Participation; Several countries have time use surveys focusing mainly on watching TV, listening to radio or reading a book. Palestine is an exception with questions such as “do you write poetry?”
Such participation activities may be seen as more part of culture than economic data. there is less agreement on definitions of cultural or creative industries eg is modern architecture in Dubai Arab culture?

12. Regional workshops - an Asian view of culture
Asian countries have begun to develop a regional view of cultural statistics through the ‘Jodhpur’ projects which brings countries together with UNESCO, WIPO, UNIDO, and UNCTAD
The most active countries in the initiative have been India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR.
The project concentrates on cultural industries but has included work on social impact and participation
UNESCO has been most closely associated with pilot work in Bhutan
Participation; UIS funded worked to consider adaptation of LEG work in Bhutan and Thailand
Areas of interest (workshop anticipated in autumn);
architecture & audio-visual (Singapore & Hong Kong + others)
intangible heritage and traditional knowledge (many countries)

13. Sectoral issues emerging from consultation
Heritage: after discussion with WHC, we would most likely redraw as
Core domains:
Historical places (places defined by Burra charter as: site, area, building etc..p2);
Museums;
Natural heritage;
Cultural landscape (reflects cultural and natural together);
Heritage goods (museum products sold, artefacts in art galleries);
Expanded domains:
interactive museum guide;
Should we put libraries in books and press?
Architecture: Based on most comments Architecture should be incorporated in core domains. Should we put them in core domains in visual arts?
Music: Should we put recording music market in audiovisual media?
Digital media:
Digital media if consider as a medium should not appear in the title. We are interested in the cultural product such as a newspapers (printed or e-newspapers). It was mentioned that was is new is multimedia or interactive media. How should we consider this category?
What to do with software? Video games?
Classifications; aware of NACE and other considerations. UIS has to stick with UN global series

14. Other issues Will include clearer links to FCS1986
IP seen as an aspect of cultural production. How identifiable? Does it provide internationally comparable data?
Classifications and indicators; are considering separating from main conceptual sections?
‘agnostic’ on finance and institutions

15. Proposed way forward
Autumn 2008 further regional meetings in Africa, Asia and LAmerica
Dec 2008 preparation of final draft reflecting comments
Jan-Feb 2009 final expert meeting
April 2009 UNESCO Executive Board
November 2009 UNESCO General Conference
2010 Formation of Working Groups according to country interests
Traditional knowledge ??