The National Institute of Statistics (INE) of Paraguay organized a virtual experience exchange with the national statistical offices of Sweden and the UK.
This event, coordinated with the support of the Global Partnership, aimed to leverage the experiences of these countries in supporting the development of big data and data science centers at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR), and how these experiences can be applied to INE Paraguay's new Data Lab.
INE Paraguay is driving the development of a Data Lab as part of its focus on innovation and strengthening its data infrastructure. Additionally, it is committed to the implementation and development of experimental statistics both within INE and across the entire national statistical system.
These actions aim to enhance statistical production through the adoption of new methodologies and data sources, and by strengthening administrative records, with a positive impact on daily statistical operations. The creation of the lab within INE seeks to provide higher-quality data that enables more informed decision-making and the development of more effective public policies.
Key objectives
- Explore the experience in Kenya and Rwanda from the facilitating organization perspective: Understand how the UK and Sweden have supported the development of these types of centers in Kenya, Rwanda and other countries and how these experiences can be applied to the development of INE Paraguay's Data Lab.
- Share best practice and recommendations on data science and big data in NSOs: Understand the technical aspects of what is needed to successfully implement these types of strategies, including project selection, resources, and staff capability.
- Identify and share broader considerations for NSOs when setting up new centers: highlight other considerations for INE to consider when setting up the big data lab, including effective resourcing, IT infrastructure, ethical considerations, data privacy, effective labelling of official statistics, etc.
- Learn from dynamics between national entities: Understand how KNBS and NISR secured political support for the construction of the big data center and how INE Paraguay can learn from this approach. Explore how Paraguay can embed data science throughout the national statistical system, not only the statistics office.
- Strengthen international cooperation: Establish and consolidate cooperative links between INE Paraguay and the statistical offices of the UK and Sweden, promoting future knowledge exchanges and technical collaboration.
