Updates from the HLG-MOS Projects

Generative AI

During January and February 2025, the project has been working towards delivering two important chapters of the report, namely on the technical and governance aspects. This intense drafting activity follows the publication of the chapter on the risks and monitoring, released in December. Looking forward, the priorities are to deliver the last three chapters of the report before the workshop on generative AI to be held mid-May in Geneva.

Advanced Survey Cost-Effectiveness with Nonresponse Treatment (ASCENT)

  • Statistics Canada is leading the initiative.
  • The kick-off meeting is scheduled for February 26.
  • Participants from at least 13 countries are expected (preliminary estimate), including representatives from multiple NSOs.
  • The project is structured into three work packages, with leads already identified for two of them.
  • The final product will be a written document tailored for an NSO audience, from managers to working-level employees, emphasizing strategic methodological recommendations, use cases, and practical considerations relevant to NSOs.

Roadmap for Multi-Source Statistics (RAMSES)

The project kick-off meeting was attended by 17 participants, and we expect that number to increase at the next plenary (nb: minutes available online). We agreed to work on the 4 themes suggested in the proposal document. The group agreed to collect use cases, and to hear presentations on the themes.

Sub-teams will be organised on the themes - a questionnaire has been sent out to determine interest, and it has been requested that it be shared with other colleagues who may be interested.

Updates from the Modernization Groups

Group

Work

Status

Description

Blue-skies Thinking

Identifying Topics/Opportunities

IN PROGRESS

  • We reviewed the methods of working for the group, and agreed to keep the regular brainstorming sessions, given their value in generating ideas and getting a sense of interest in such.
  • Francesca Kay volunteered to by co-chair of the BSTN, and she was approved by the group unanimously. Chairing of the BSTN meetings will alternative month-to-month.
  • Interest was expressed in revisiting the soapbox pitches from HLG-MOS 2024; presenters will be contacted.
  • We will attempt to hold the yearly call dedicated solely to hearing activity/project pitches earlier in the year (poss. April or May) than in previous years, to allow for more time for proposals to be workshopped, and sprints to be organised.

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  • Jan-Feb BSTN call discussion topics:
    • The group discussed horizon scanning tools (i.e. innovation radars). It was proposed that members trial various tools (either commercial or open source) and report back to BSTN.
    • The group heard a detailed presentation on the UN Data Commons by UNSD (minutes TBC next week).

Future of NSOs Exercise

IN PROGRESS

  • At the moment, a draft of the paper is being prepared for submission to the Proceedings of the Statistics Canada Symposium 2024.

Applying Data Science and Modern Methods

Uncertainty Quantification Task Team

IN PROGRESS

  • Project Progress:
    • We are finalizing the chapters and targeting an end-of-June deadline for delivery of the report.
    • Recent meetings: We’ve had a few presentations on methodologies in our last three meetings, which have been very helpful.
  • Roadblocks/Challenges:
    • Contributions from some members have been slower than expected, or, in some cases, none at all.
    • Time zone differences have made scheduling and coordination difficult, which has impacted attendance at some meetings.


Despite these challenges, things are moving forward, and we’re optimistic about meeting the deadline.

Advancing Responsible AI Task Team and Responsible AI Training Program

IN PROGRESS

The project has progressed somewhat slowly, and perhaps the biggest challenge has been scheduling, which affects everyone involved. The hype around generative AI has been so intense across all statistical offices that the demand for knowledge currently exceeds the capacity of experts to share it.

After a period of commitments elsewhere, the Project Lead is not able to focus on the project more..

Of course, time zone differences have also posed a challenge. We have been operating with a Europe-first approach, which understandably isn't ideal for those of you on the other side of the globe. However, the situation looks fairly promising, and the project believes it will be able to deliver the final materials by the end of May 2025.

Capabilities and Communication


Work and Job of the Future - Generational diversity

IN PROGRESS

The Task Team on the future of work had first brainstorming meeting to narrow down are of work for this year. It was decided to produce a paper on generational diversity, and countries now are tasked with conducting literature review and collecting relevant materials from their NSOs.

Webinar on mental well-being

IN PROGRESS

Explore the possibility of organizing a webinar on mental health and wellbeing, in cooperation with Statistics Indonesia.

Data Analytics

COMPLETED

The paper "Enhancing National Statistics Offices through HR Analytics Key Benefits and Considerations" was published on the UNECE website and promoted on LinkedIn.

Evaluation of blended (hybrid working)

COMPLETED

The paper on the evaluation of blended-hybrid working is in its final stages of revision and will be published soon.

Employer branding

COMPLETED

The paper on employer branding is in its final stages of revision and will be published soon.

Ethical management (Data and Business)

IN PROGRESS

The draft Ethics Guide was presented at the CES Bureau meeting in February. The Bureau supported sending the Ethics Guide for CES electronic consultation and confirmed that it will be submitted for endorsement at the 2025 CES plenary meeting in June. They also supported the proposal to hold a Workshop on Ethics in March 2026. 

Expert Meeting on the Dissemination and Communication of Statistics

IN PROGRESS

This meeting will take place in Athens on 5-7 November 2025. Preparation of the Agenda of the meeting is in progress.

AI for official statistics - communication perspective

COMPLETED

The paper "Use of generative AI for communication in official statistics (2024)" was published on the UNECE website and promoted on LinkedIn.

Supporting Standards


 



 


Interoperability between DDI and SDMX for Data Integration task team

IN PROGRESS

We had the first two meetings in which we started discussing use cases, i.e. metadata-driven data integration of SDMX and DDI data and dissemination of DDI Codebook metadata in SDMX. We also had two presentations about core elements of both standards, i.e. DDI and SDMX, needed for the work of the task team. 

Statistical Architecture Framework task team


A chair has been selected and a few members showed interest in participating. The starting of the task team has been postponed to Q2 to make sure the interoperability task team can get off the ground (there is a big overlap between the members of both task teams).

Webinar on GSIM 2.0 


Planning on the webinar has started.

GSIM User Guide publication


Should be published and printed before end-February.

Revision of GSBPM


Version 5.2 submitted to CES Bureau, who agreed to consult with CES members for a second round of feedback (currently open - ask Chris if you'd like to know more).

Revision of GAMSO


The group had its kick-off meeting in January.

Survey for stakeholders


Planning for the survey has started. Given the more practical direction the SSG has been taken over the past couple of years, this time we would like to gather information not only about the use of the ModernStats models to support business and strategic decisions but also to survey the use of implementation standards relevant for interoperability and metadata-driven implementations, e.g. DDI, SDMX. 

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