1. Dr. Sıdıka Başçı Statistical Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC) Towards More Customized International Standards to Measure Progress

2. What is Real Progress? Is it the improvement in  GDP per capita?  trade balance?  labor market conditions?

3. No !

4. The Cost of Developments should not be Global Failures! Climate change — Global warming Climate change — Global warming Ozone layer depletion Ozone layer depletion Child labor explotation Child labor explotation

5. Are the Failures National or Global? It is no more possible to progress locally in national level but progress should be a global one. It is no more possible to progress locally in national level but progress should be a global one. The report of the Secratary General to the Millenium Assembly of the United Nations (2000) also points out this fact by mentioning that each state not only bears responsibilities in relation to its own people but also collectively shares responsibilities for the whole planet. The report of the Secratary General to the Millenium Assembly of the United Nations (2000) also points out this fact by mentioning that each state not only bears responsibilities in relation to its own people but also collectively shares responsibilities for the whole planet.

6. Importance of OECD World Forum It provides the platform where borders It provides the platform where borders are crossed and this “global” issue is are crossed and this “global” issue is discussed “globally.” discussed “globally.” For this reason, it deserves the support of every country. For this reason, it deserves the support of every country.

7. What can the Role of International Organizations be? Comparisions across the countries in terms of Comparisions across the countries in terms of statistics can be possible only if the data sets of statistics can be possible only if the data sets of each country have common standards. each country have common standards. At this point, international organisations may have an important role in preparing, processing and presenting comparable data. At this point, international organisations may have an important role in preparing, processing and presenting comparable data.

8. Time is Valuable! Reducing the cost of time in order to reach the necessary data during research is extremely important. Reducing the cost of time in order to reach the necessary data during research is extremely important.

9. Deterministic Role of R&D Almost all differences between Almost all differences between countries are the result of differences in countries are the result of differences in the Science and Technology levels of the the Science and Technology levels of the countries which are closely linked with the countries which are closely linked with the levels of R&D activities. levels of R&D activities.

10. World GDP, Population,and R&D Expenditure and Personnel

11. Share of World Gross Expenditure on R&D, (2000)

12. Source: UIS S&T database, World Bank, Calculations are made by SESRTCIC

13. A Non-Conventional Task for the Statistician An important aspect and determinant of progress is transition to knowledge-based economies and societies. During this transition period the role of a statistician is to monitor the trends to identify new technological developments and new revolutionary waves and channel this to decision-makers in a timely manner. An important aspect and determinant of progress is transition to knowledge-based economies and societies. During this transition period the role of a statistician is to monitor the trends to identify new technological developments and new revolutionary waves and channel this to decision-makers in a timely manner.

14. Thank you.