1. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 1

2. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 2 Collaborating with Civil Society: Reflections from Australia Jon Hall, Australian Bureau of Statistics

3. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 3 Overview Three Australian indicator initiatives - their links with civil society

4. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 4 Overview Three Australian indicator initiatives - their links with civil society Why collaborate with civil society?

5. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 5 Overview Three Australian indicator initiatives - their links with civil society Why collaborate with civil society? Civil Society’s perspective – why collaborate with government

6. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 6 Overview Three Australian indicator initiatives - their links with civil society Why collaborate with civil society? And how best to collaborate?

7. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 7 Overview Three Australian indicator initiatives - their links with civil society Why collaborate with civil society? Conclusions

8. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 8 Three Australian Indicator Initiatives ABS – ‘Measures of Australia’s Progress’ Tasmania’s - ‘Tasmania Together’ Victorian State Government’s – ‘Growing Victoria Together’

9. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 9 Australia Indicator Initiatives The Australian Bureau of Statistics Measures of Australia’s Progress

10. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 10 Australia Indicator Initiatives The Australian Bureau of Statistics Measures of Australia’s Progress Headline progress indicators to inform public debate

11. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 11 Australia Indicator Initiatives The Australian Bureau of Statistics Measures of Australia’s Progress Headline progress indicators to inform public debate Wide consultation and an external expert group

12. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 12 Australia Indicator Initiatives The Australian Bureau of Statistics Measures of Australia’s Progress Headline progress indicators to inform public debate Wide consultation and an external expert group But …. first issue criticised for perceived “left wing and ‘green’ bias”

13. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 13 Australian Indicator Initiatives Civil society provided very valuable advice and assistance

14. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 14 Australian Indicator Initiatives Civil society provided very valuable advice and assistance They also promoted and supported the venture

15. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 15 Australian Indicator Initiatives Civil society provided very valuable advice and assistance They also promoted and supported the venture But …. need to be careful about perceptions around roles …. and that an adequately broad spectrum of views come to the table

16. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 16 Australia Indicator Initiatives Tasmanian Government’s Tasmania Together

17. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 17 Australia Indicator Initiatives Tasmanian Government’s Tasmania Together Designed to set goals for Tasmania and monitor progress towards them

18. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 18 Australia Indicator Initiatives Tasmanian Government’s Tasmania Together Designed to set goals for Tasmania and monitor progress towards them Community led – with very significant consultation at every stage

19. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 19 Australia Indicator Initiatives Tasmanian Government’s Tasmania Together Designed to set goals for Tasmania and monitor progress towards them Community led – with very significant consultation at every stage But … now realise that some groups not so well represented as others

20. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 20 Australia Indicator Initiatives Victorian Government’s Growing Victoria Together

21. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 21 Australia Indicator Initiatives Victorian Government’s Growing Victoria Together Designed to promote a whole of government approach … and to communicate government’s vision to the public

22. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 22 Australia Indicator Initiatives Victorian Government’s Growing Victoria Together Designed to promote a whole of government approach … and to communicate government’s vision to the public Less public consultation than other projects may have lead to less ‘buy in’ from the public (which may lead in turn to reduced support in government)

23. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 23 Some reflection from Civil Society’s perspective Community groups take a vital interest in monitoring and reporting …they see (in Australia) some deficiencies in environmental and social reporting

24. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 24 Some reflection from Civil Society’s perspective Community groups take a vital interest in monitoring and reporting …they see (in Australia) some deficiencies in environmental and social reporting Membership of advisory bodies can be frustrating.. Consultation without genuine commitment to listen and respond is unproductive

25. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 25 Why Collaborate? Discussions about measuring progress leads to discussions – and shared understanding - about ‘what progress actually is’

26. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 26 Why Collaborate? Discussions about measuring progress leads to discussions – and understanding - about ‘what progress actually is’ Civil Society gets… facts to inform debate and advance particular causes, and a chance to influence policy

27. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 27 Why Collaborate? Discussions about measuring progress leads to discussions – and understanding - about ‘what progress actually is’ Civil Society gets… facts to inform debate and advance particular causes, and a chance to influence policy Government gets … a wider perspective, skills and resources, support and buy in

28. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 28 Lessons in Collaboration Choose collaborators carefully

29. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 29 Lessons in Collaboration Choose collaborators carefully Judge the pace of collaboration well

30. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 30 Lessons in Collaboration Choose collaborators carefully Judge the pace of collaboration well Listen to one another and deliver

31. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 31 A Role for the OECD Sharing data and best practice

32. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 32 A Role for the OECD Sharing data and best practice Investigating the effects strong civil society has on other economic and social aspects of progress

33. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 33 A Role for the OECD Sharing data and best practice Investigating the effects strong civil society has on other economic and social aspects of progress Frameworks for indicators in controversial areas

34. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 34 Conclusions Collaboration with civil society seems a necessary (though not sufficient) condition for a successful indicator initiative

35. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 35 Conclusions Collaboration with civil society seems a necessary (though not sufficient) condition for a successful indicator initiative Collaboration strengthens content and builds support

36. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 36 Conclusions Collaboration with civil society seems a necessary (though not sufficient) condition for a successful indicator initiative Collaboration strengthens content and builds support The reports become agents of change within civil society

37. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 37 Ideas for Discussion How much collaboration is appropriate and how does one achieve that appropriate level?

38. OECD World Forum “Statistics, Knowledge and Policy”, Palermo, 10-13 November 2004 38 Ideas for Discussion How much collaboration is appropriate and how does one achieve that appropriate level? What styles of collaboration work best?