About the event
In early 2022, the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) and Cepei pioneered the creation of the first Latin American and Caribbean Community of Practice (CoP) for Data-driven Communication.
This initiative brings together national statistical offices (NSOs) in the region and stakeholders outside the statistical system to exchange knowledge and strengthen the capacity to communicate data for decision-making.
Currently ten NSOs are members of the Community: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay.
Speakers
Ricardo Valencia
Former Deputy Director of the National Department of Statistics (DANE)
Colombia
Marcelo Franco
Director of El Diario AR
Argentina
Moderator
Ricardo Corredor Cure
Advocacy and communication advisor
Cepei
Nowadays, data has become an important source of information to understand the phenomena, dynamics, and challenges faced by countries and their citizens. The data revolution has made it possible to develop countless strategies for governments, academia, civil society and non-profit organizations to guide public policies, strategies and ideas for the good of societies.
In this context, the joint work between NSOs and the media is necessary to support the decision-making process at the national level, as well as to keep the public informed. Despite the collaboration between the two parties, their relationship is not free of tensions.
On March 27th, the community of practice held its fifth talk focused on sharing the main guidelines for improving the relationship between national statistical offices and journalists.
Ricardo Valencia, former deputy director of Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) and Marcelo Franco, director of El Diario AR joined the session as panelists. The two experts stressed that data collection and processing should be considered a public service.
In addition, they agreed that pedagogy on data availability is crucial for journalists to take advantage of the information and contribute to the conversation by understanding the realities of citizens.
Main findings
To learn about opportunities and strengthen the relationship between media and NSOs, they added:
1. National statistical offices should be committed to contribute to national debates through the generation of evidence.
2. Journalism is the main ally of NSOs to provide knowledge about the national or local context of a country, understanding the nedeeds and what happens in the daily life of its inhabitants.
3. It is now urgent to translate and relate data with people.
Community of Practice on Data-Driven Communications in Latin America and the Caribbean
Cepei and PARIS21 identified that NSO communication experts did not have their own space for peer-to-peer exchange. The Cop provides a learning platform to strengthen communication skills and bring data closer to decision-makers.
Currently, ten NSOs in the region are members of the Community: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. Other countries are expected to join this initiative to strengthen the regional network and exchange common challenges regarding timely and effective data communication.
Organizers
