Statistics Days 2016
Statistics as a control mechanism
Luogo della manifestazione
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
Society, organisations, businesses and economies are complex, dynamic systems which are constantly evolving and changing. Control mechanisms first arose from a need to positively influence these systems and their development by means of regulatory structures based on common goals or from a desire to prevent undesired situations and stagnation.
A control mechanism is, therefore, a tool that is used to influence technical, economic and social processes and systems in a targeted manner. Politics are interested in these mechanisms, in order to meet the growing demand for information about the effectiveness of state action (evidence-based policy making) for example, or to describe or simplify issues, making them accessible to a wider public.
To fulfil their task, the Confederation and the cantons and communes make use of modern, political control mechanisms. Statistical offices provide the foundation and input for these mechanisms by making their main product, "statistical information", available.
This year's Statistics Days will focus on discussing and exchanging experience of cooperation and dialogue between the users and producers of statistics; a realistic appraisal will also be made of what statistics can and cannot deliver.
Do you have experience of the above? Then we would like to hear your success stories or the lessons you have learned from less successful ventures. What constraints did you face? What types of cooperation did you discover? What experience was common to cantonal statistical offices, for example? Are you just at the beginning of such a project or perhaps in the middle of one? What has been achieved so far?
