1. Future design of the roundtable
Session 7: „Future of the Roundtable“
Roundtable Steering Group
International Roundtable on Business Survey Frames
21 to 26 October 2007

2. Outline Background and current situation Implemented proposals
Proposals to be decided
Re-naming the Roundtable
Frequency of Roundtable meetings
Proposals to be discussed
Future role and concerns of the Roundtable
Tasks of the steering group
Support of developing countries

3. Background and current situation
Since 1986: 19 Roundtable meetings all over the world
2005: 19th Roundtable in Cardiff
Session about the future of the Roundtable
Need to better respond to the new challenges
Constitution of a steering group consisting of UK, Germany, OECD, Eurostat, US BLS, Turkey, New Zealand and Canada
2006: no Roundtable meeting, but as agreed in Cardiff:
Progress reports were collected and summary was published
Steering group prepared the Wiesbaden Roundtable
2007: 20th Roundtable in Wiesbaden

4. Implemented proposals (I)
…by the steering group and the host
Convened and helped coordinate the collection of progress reports 2006
Developed links with other relevant international bodies
Tried to support attendance by developing countries
Ensured coordination with meetings on related topics (e.g. with the joint UNECE/OECD/Eurostat meeting)
Assisted the host on matters relating to content (e.g. agenda of the current Roundtable)
…by the steering group and all interested participants
Input relating to the design of the current Roundtable
Opinions concerning the Roundtable future discussion

5. Implemented proposals (II)
…at the Roundtable 2007
Four meeting days + one multi-purpose day with a workshop for developing countries
Limited time for progress reports to start a second session on the first day
Parallel sessions on Wednesday instead of a National Day
Higher participation rate of developing countries than last years (higher value of the meeting due to the workshop mentioned above)
Extension of the Roundtable mailing list

6. Proposals to be decided (I)
Re-naming the Roundtable “Wiesbaden Group on Business Registers”
In January 2007, Roundtable participants were asked their opinion and the predominant part agreed with the change of name:
The character of the conference as a UN city group would be reflected in this name and it would fit better in the row of other UN city groups
It is a more self-explaining and descriptive name
The new name would stress the importance of this group and its focus on business registers
At the same time: The good old tradition of the Roundtable would be held up as a matter of fact !

7. Proposals to be decided (II)
Frequency of Roundtable meetings
Every second year alternating with the joint UNECE/OECD/Eurostat meetings
Collection of progress reports in intermediate years
UNECE/OECD/Eurostat meeting in 2009, Roundtable in 2008 / 2010?
The steering groups of the two meetings should work closely together to prepare the meetings (harmonisation of contents)  a merger of the two steering groups could be reflected ?

8. Proposals to be discussed (I)
Future role and concerns of the Roundtable
Description of the UNSD: “…forum for the exchange of views and experiences…related to the development, maintenance and use of business registers…informal body…mandate does not emanate from a formal body…recommendations to a formal body (e.g. Statistical Commission)”
Roundtable as global forum on business registers
Level of relevance and scope: balance between the different levels?
How to generate a profile attracting all?
Visible output (papers on the website, reports and conclusions,…)?
Focus on the exchange of experiences and views from the national perspective
Generator of forward looking strategies

9. Proposals to be discussed (II)
Tasks of the Roundtable steering group
More than coordination and preparation of the next meeting:
Raising the profile of the Roundtable, increasing training and development
Composition of the Roundtable steering group
Which countries / institutions are willing to work in the steering group?
Greater support for developing countries
Possibilities? Funding? Sponsoring?

10. And the next Roundtable / Wiesbaden Group?

11. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE