This page is a place for the community of people working in the fields of communication and dissemination of statistics in national and international statistical institutes to share knowledge, experience, ideas and resources. The page is under development and will evolve according to the level of interest it generates and the amount of use made of the resources. If you would you like to add a good practice example from your National Statistics Office or International Organization, please contact us.
Seminars and WorkshopsInformation and documents of UNECE Workshops on Dissemination and Communication of Statistics |  |
Publications |
Strategic Communication Framework Strategic communication is a relatively new concept for most statistical organizations, which have traditionally focused their efforts and resources on dissemination practices and systems. A strategic communication function can guide the development and implementation of a communication strategy. This has particular relevance for the world of official statistics, where communication and dissemination have traditionally focused on expert users. With the changing environment, statistical organizations must learn to communicate more effectively and directly with citizens and improve statistical literacy across all audiences. A productive, professional communication function can help position the statistical organization to succeed in this highly competitive environment. Communication professionals can work in partnership with the statistical organization’s leadership board and staff to develop a communication strategy that supports the statistical organization’s mission, demonstrates the value of official statistics and enhances the competitive advantage offered by the statistical organization. This publication compiles the outcome of the Strategic Communication Framework Project of the High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS). Recognizing the importance of strategic communication, the High-level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics endorsed this two-year priority project. All the components of this framework are offered as a guideline and are not intended to be prescriptive. Statistical institutions are invited to use the two phases of the framework in their entirety, or to use only those elements that help support their business needs. Making Data Meaningful Publications. Four practical guides to help managers, statisticians and media relations officers in statistical organizations use text and visualizations to bring statistics to life for non-statisticians; find the best way to get their message across or define strategies for improving statistical literacy. The first guide provides guidelines and examples on the use of effective writing techniques to make data meaningful. The second guide provides guidelines and examples on preparing effective tables, charts and maps, and using other forms of visualizations to make data meaningful. It also offers advice on how to avoid bad or misleading visual presentations. MDM 2 is now available on Apple iBooks Store: The third guide aims to help producers of statistics find the best way to get their message across and to communicate effectively with the media. It contains suggestions, guidelines and examples. The fourth volume of Making Data Meaningful provides an overview of current initiatives and define strategies for improving the statistical literacy of different user groups.
The guides are available in various languages. Print copies of the English version can be obtained free of charge by clicking here, indicating the publication title, the language and postal address. For more information about the Russian version, please click herePart 1: A guide to writing stories about numbers
Part 2: A guide to presenting statistics
Part 3: A guide to communicating with the media
Part 4: A guide to improving statistical literacy
News
1 June 2022: In 2021 Task Team on Market research, digital marketing and communication strategies, under the HLG-MOS, prepared document on The role of brand management, marketing and crisis communication for Statistical Organisations. This publication provides good practice guidelines in the areas of brand and reputation management, marketing, and crisis communication for statistical organisations. It is based on the combined experience of communications experts across the international statistical community and is intended to provide support and guidance to others working in this field. It is accompanied by a dedicated webspace where use cases and other additional material is available. | |
16 May 2022: The 2022 Expert Meeting Dissemination and Communication of Statistics will take place online on 13-15 September 2022, from approximately 13:30 CET am to 17:00 CET each day. The programme of the meeting will aim to cover the following topics:
More information available from the meeting page and information notice. |  |
1 September 2021: Strategic Communication Framework publication now available in print. It combines the outcome of the 2018 and 2019 project. Further information and additional case studies are also available on the SCF wiki. Strategic communication is a relatively new concept for most statistical organizations, which have traditionally focused their efforts and resources on dissemination practices and systems. A strategic communication function can guide the development and implementation of a communication strategy. This has particular relevance for the world of official statistics, where communication and dissemination have traditionally focused on expert users. With the changing environment, statistical organizations must learn to communicate more effectively and directly with citizens and improve statistical literacy across all audiences. A productive, professional communication function can help position the statistical organization to succeed in this highly competitive environment. Communication professionals can work in partnership with the statistical organization’s leadership board and staff to develop a communication strategy that supports the statistical organization’s mission, demonstrates the value of official statistics and enhances the competitive advantage offered by the statistical organization. This publication compiles the outcome of the Strategic Communication Framework Project of the High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS). Recognizing the importance of strategic communication, the High-level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics endorsed this two-year priority project. All the components of this framework are offered as a guideline and are not intended to be prescriptive. Statistical institutions are invited to use the two phases of the framework in their entirety, or to use only those elements that help support their business needs | |
5 May 2021 UPDATE 3 September 2021: The 2021 Workshop on Statistical Data Dissemination and Communication will online be hosted by Statistics Portugal in Lisbon, on 13-15 11-14 October 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the in person meeting in Lisbon unfortunately had to be cancelled. The focus of the workshop will be on cutting edge ideas, new trends, experiments, and approaches in the areas of statistical data dissemination and communication. In addition to the traditional presentations, the agenda of the workshop will include target-driven small group discussions and a participatory exercise. The programme of the meeting will aim to cover the following topics:
- Reaching potential audiences: broadening audiences
- Employee engagement and involvement
- Communication on the fast track
- Measuring the effectiveness of communications
6 September 2020: NOW: Virtual Workshop on Covid-19 response in Statistical Data Dissemination and Communication 7-9 September 2020. Click here for programme/timetable.
3 July 2020: Virtual meeting on the COVID-19 response in the area of Communication and Human Resources Management and Training, 7-11 September 2020. This meeting will replace the in-person joint Workshop on Dissemination and Communication of Statistics and the Workshop on Human Resources Management and Training that originally were planned to take place back-to-back in Lisbon in September 2020.
The aim of the virtual meeting is to share examples of the COVID-19 response on Communication within the office and with stakeholders and users of our Statistical products during the crisis and in the area of Human Resources Management and Training.
27 April 2020: The Strategic Communication Framework has been expanded with examples of countries' crisis communication during COVID-19. You can find them on the virtual version of the framework: https://statswiki.unece.org/x/uwKtE
26 March 2020: The 2020 Workshop on Statistical Data Dissemination and Communication was planed to be held back-to-back with the UNECE Workshop on HRMT for Statistical Organisations. It was scheduled for 7-9 September 2020 in Lisbon Portugal. However, due to shortage of staff and the Covid19 pandemic, it is cancelled. It will be replaced by a virtual conference on the HRMT and Communication response to the Covid-19 pandemic. More information will follow.