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OUTLINE

Learn about communication models, internal and external communication for NSOs, advocacy strategies, major challenges, and best practices for effective communication and advocacy in the statistical field.

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OUTLINE

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  1. OUTLINE • What is Communication? • Communication Models • NSO’s and Internal and External Communication • What is Advocacy? • NSO’s and Advocacy • Communicating for Advocacy • Major Challenges • Good / Better / Best Practices (you choose)

  2. What is Communication? • Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages/information from one part (sender), via one or more channels, to another (Receiver) • It thus involves: Sender, Message, Channel(s) and Receiver. • Communication can be: • Written, Non-Verbal or Verbal (or Oral). • Face-to-face (interpersonal) or not • There may or may not be noise involved

  3. Communication Models(There are many)

  4. NSO’S and internal and external communicationInternal Communication (1) • For effective communication networkswithin the organization one must ensure: • that employees follow a shared vision and values, • that information and communication channels are kept open and transparent • that employees be consulted and mobilized around the organization’s activities and priorities (STATSCAN, July 2016, p 16)

  5. NSO’S and internal and external communicationInternal Communication (2) • Proper Internal Communication is necessary (but not sufficient) to keep the machinery of the NSO going and according to the UN (Handbook of Statistical Organization, 2003) can take place (where and when there is a strong corporate culture) through such mechanisms as: • newsletters, • the Intranet, • periodic meetings ( inter alia of the Chief statistician with senior and middle-level managers) • Periodic Divisional and Sectional meetings • Mind you, generally you have to be strong from within first, before you can take on the outside world.

  6. NSO’S and internal and external communicationExternal Communication • This is a matter of communicating with “Stakeholders”.(according to Paris 21, NSDS Workshop in Paramaribo, October 2009, this is an umbrella concept) • It presumesthat the NSO pursuits the following objectives (partly borrowed from Statscan 2016, p 223): • Efficiently and effectively update all stakeholders on program results and official statistics • Project a positive image of the NSO / combat unjust criticism • Generate interest and encourage all stakeholders to take part in the NSO’s surveys. • Generate interest and encourage all stakeholders to properly use the NSO’s (high quality / fit for purpose) statistical outputs

  7. What is Advocacy? • Advocacy is persuading key people, who can make a difference, to support your cause (Paris 21, Oct 2009) and it entails: • Lobbying those who can make a difference (Great example: Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Honourable Keith Mitchell is our Champion in the Region; see the Action Plan for Statistics) • Communicating with stakeholders • Dissemination: providing and promoting access to statistical information (will come back to this)

  8. NSO’S and Advocacy (Develop an advocacy strategy and action plan) • Advocacy aims:what are you advocating for? • Advocacy to whom– who can make a difference to achieving advocacy aims? • Advocacy key messages– what will motivate each to do what? • Advocacy materials - brochures, .ppt slides, giveaways, jingles • Advocacy approaches, what will work best? (direct contact with media, special promos on popular radio & TV programmes, Internet contact with stakeholders) • Advocacy strategy and action plan

  9. Communication for AdvocacyA Virtuous Circle (thanks again to Paris21) Better Statistics Increased demand Increased, better spent resources Better coordination

  10. Major Challenges (1) • We have to distinguish different situations to look at challenges, because the situation will certainly influence the extent in which the challenges impact us. • Is the NSO semi-autonomous? • Is the NSO not semi-autonomous but the Chief has sufficient high standing and autonomy? • Is the NSO not semi-autonomous and the Chief doesn’t have sufficient high standing or autonomy? • Does the NSO have its own PR and Information unit ? • Does it HAVE to use the Government and/or Parent Ministry Information Service?

  11. Major Challenges (2) • Fragmented and basically unstructured statistical system • Insufficient Funds (for general operations and statistical activities) and often among the first to suffer from government budget cuts • Salaries not competitive, so always at risk of losing good staff • Shortage of staff (quantitative and qualitative) • Use of ancient / obsolete (computer) technologies • Inappropriate Office Space • Some NSOs need permission from authorities to organize a Press Conference or to disseminate a press release • NSO sometimes becomes the scapegoat when the economy is in a downturn (NSO is bearer of bad news, NSO did not provide essential information in time to combat problems, NSO … you can continue the list)

  12. Good/Better/Best Practices (1) • The Key Words are: • Know your users (try to satisfy them) • Variety (of dissemination media and of communication modes) • High Quality / Fit for purpose Statistics • Transparency • Impartial and convenient Access (whilst always adhering to confidentiality)

  13. Good/Better/Best Practices (2) • Use the internet / your website • Properly prioritize your work so that you can do more with less, if necessary, and maintain relevance • Set up / Invest in your own Research Unit (statistics / NOT policy) • Set up your own PR & Information Unit … • Always combat improper news about the NSO • Always educate (and entertain?) stakeholders • Cooperate and Collaborate (MOUs, etc.) • Always support the regional approach: United we stand, divided we fall(see success of the Action Plan for Statistics with CARICOM Heads of States)

  14. Good/Better/Best Practices (3)Two examples from Suriname

  15. Selected References • Mitchell, K. Dr. the Rt. Honourable and SCCS (2016): Action Plan for Statistics • National Research Council (2005): Principles & Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency • Paris21(2009): NSDS October 2009 Workshop in Suriname materials • Paris21 (2015): A Road Map for a Country-led Data Revolution • Statistics Canada (July 2016):Compendium of Management Practices for Statistical Organizations from Statistics Canada’s International Statistical fellowship Program • UN (2003): Handbook of Statistical Organization • Websites (accessed 27 August 2016) • https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/ • http://www.iacact.com/?q=models • _____________________________________ • QUESTIONS????

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