1. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division International migration data sharing: What can be done in the UNECE region? Paolo Valente Regional Workshop on Migration Statistics (Bishkek, 15 – 17 February 2010)

2. Slide 221-25 April 2008 Background - UNECE  2006-2007: CES Task Force on measuring emigration using data collected by receiving countries: 2006 data exchange exercise (19 countries in 4 clusters) Draft Guidelines discussed at 2006, 2008 UNECE meetings  2007: UNECE Study on data exchange in CIS countries  2009: Final Guidelines endorsed by the CES in June 2009: a) Proposal on set of standard tables on stocks and flows for bilateral exchanges among countries b) Set up of clearing house maintained by an Intl. Org. (UNECE?) to facilitate sharing of data among countries

3. Slide 321-25 April 2008 Background - UNECE  2009: ECE paper presented at EU DGINS meeting: “Improving migration statistics by exchange of data between countries: Regular dissemination and exchange of data on immigration flows and stocks Possible creation of a central clearing house for collecting and storing information  2010: Dev. Account Project on migration Improving data quality Promoting exchange and dissemination of information on migration Bishkek workshop…

4. Slide 421-25 April 2008 Other existing initiatives  Other data collection, sharing, dissemination initiatives existing in the UNECE region: Joint migration questionnaire (Eurostat, UNSD, UNECE…) (flows) currently being revised UNSD Demographic questionnaire (stocks) UN Global Migration Database (UN Pop. Div.) (stocks) based on UNSD quest. & other sources OECD-World Bank collection on characteristics of immigrants living in OECD countries (stocks) new initiative IOM past and/or current initiatives

5. Slide 521-25 April 2008 Other existing initiatives  Other good examples in other regions? IMILA project in Latin America (UN-ECLAC) on sharing and dissemination of census data on persons born abroad (stocks) ?

6. Slide 621-25 April 2008 First priority: Avoid duplication!  Launch a new initiative only if: It’s not duplicating other existing activities There is clear added value for final users Countries are ready to participate Mechanism can be set up and maintained with resources available in UNECE and NSIs  Alternative: use resources to support and contribute to existing initiative(s)

7. Slide 721-25 April 2008 Key decisions 1.Objective of initiative: Data sharing AND dissemination? Data sharing only? (dissemination through other existing platforms)

8. Slide 821-25 April 2008 Key decisions 2.What data and from which sources? Set of 9 tables discussed at workshop? Different set of tables on stocks and flows? Only stock data from 2010 round censuses? Also data from previous censuses (IMILA)? ???

9. Slide 921-25 April 2008 Key decisions 3.Which countries should participate? Bilateral exchanges? Sub-regional level (i.e. CIS)? Regional level? (i.e. replicate IMILA project in UNECE?) Support to existing global initiative? (i.e. Joint migration questionnaire, UNSD Demographic quest.  UN Global Migration Database?)

10. Slide 1021-25 April 2008 Technological solutions  To be discussed in detail depending on the “key decisions” that will be taken  UNECE has limited resources to manage the process once it will be set up. Therefore:  Preference for models based on automatic data transmission, or data “pushed” by countries  No heavy data processing possible in UNECE  UNECE has expertise on IT systems for data exchange and dissemination, and can provide technical support (Russian speaking IT expert)

11. Slide 1121-25 April 2008 Technological solutions (cont.) Solution 1 (hi-tech) based on:  SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange) standard  Software for Census hub developed by Eurostat Requirements:  Knowledge of SDMX format  Relational database (i.e. SQL, Oracle, Access)  Stable IT infrastructure, good access to Internet

12. Slide 1221-25 April 2008 Technological solutions (cont.) Solution 2 (low-tech) based on:  CSV files produced with Excel  Transmission by email or UNECE downloads from NSI website Requirements:  Minimal: Excel and email Each country could choose between solution 1 or 2 They can be used in parallel…

13. Slide 1321-25 April 2008 Data Exchange Formats SDMX UNECE Country 1 Country 2 Country 3 SDMX CSV

14. Slide 1421-25 April 2008 Let’s discuss!!!