Event:Communication - A Tool to Enhance Statistical Culture

From Wikiprogress.org

Background

The aim of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is to Strengthen Europe.

The Hungarian Presidency in statistics chose the motto "Strong Europe, friendly statisticians". Hungarian statisticians would like to contribute to a stronger Europe by enhancing statistical culture.

Enhancing statistical culture plays an important role in bringing Europe closer to its citizens and in strengthening the fundamental values of democracy. European citizens need objective and unbiased information about their countries and about the European Union in order to follow progress in all areas of life: living conditions, the labour market, the economic situation, the state of the environment, the situation of families, of businesses etc.

Statistical literacy needs to be spread and the interpretation of statistics needs to be improved for statistics to fulfil its role in strengthening democracy. Communication is among the most important tools of enhacing statistical culture.

The Conference deals with the ways and forms of communication targeted toward various actors of society and toward various users of statistics. It will provide a unique opportunity to exchange views and best practices related to the communication of statistics.

Conference structure

Plenary session

• Opening address
• Keynote speakers

Thematic session 1. Statistical literacy and European democracy

• How can Europeans learn facts about their countries and about Europe?
• How can they acquire skills and techniques that are needed to understand figures?
• How can the general public use statistical information to evaluate their own situation, to judge and to verify the statements of public actors and of press organs? How robust is statistical literacy among journalists?
• What are the most efficient forms and means of presentation of statistical facts for the general public?

Thematic session 2. The responsibility of statisticians and the responsibility of users of statistics

• Correct interpretation of statistics - where does the responsibility of statisticians end and where does the responsibility of users who interpret statistics begin?
• How does misinterpretation of statistics by users affect the credibility of statisticians?

Thematic session 3. Trio session

• The Spanish - Belgian - Hungarian Presidency Trio is organising a special session summing up experiences gathered during their respective presidency terms on the communication of statistics. Three countries, three statistical systems, different settings, common goals.

Thematic sessions 4. Trust in institutions, trust in statistics, statistical culture

• What is the role of communication in building trust in statistics?
• What is the role of statistics in building trust in institutions?
• Does trust in institutions lead to trust in statistics?
• Does trust in statistics depend on statistical culture and statistical literacy?

Call for papers

Interested statisticians, researchers, journalists or members of other professions who have answers to the questions raised above are welcome to contribute to the success of the Conference.

If you or your colleagues would like to present a paper at the Conference, please submit your proposal including your title, organisation, email address and a short abstract of your presentation to the Organising Committee.

Via email:visegradpresentation@ksh.hu

or

Via mail:

Conference Organising Committee,

Hungarian Central Statistical Office,

1525 Budapest, P.O. Box 51

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 21 March 2011.

For further information see www.ksh.hu