The University of the South Pacific

OS303: ICT in Official Statistics

Answers
Name: Payal Prasad
Student ID: s11171837
Section A
1. The role of ICT in the data dissemination process is to facilitate a quick and effective
way of decision making using various dissemination methods with the use of different
networks like LAN, WAN, Intranet, Internet. The data is being disseminated through
a website (For example: In Fiji NSO have provided access to data through their
website, data is made available in the pdf format, as downloadable dataset) as well as
by social media (For example: In Fiji NSO uses social media platform to distribute
information, announce the new release and to promote the use of statistics).

2. The innovations that are made Fiji Bureau of Statistics in the use of ICT in the last 3
years are as follows:
 Information Technology(IT) training provided in various Microsoft office
tools has led employees to be more efficient and not always rely on IT expert
to create tables and charts.
 Changes made in its website- FBOS has become more informative than before
by providing various statistics such as HIES survey data, census information
for the public. The website is updated daily to ensure the latest surveys are
online as soon as it is released.
 FBOS now has high-end antivirus and security software to achieve data
security through Firewall, backups, and security training which has led to
staffs being more attentive of what is required and taking the initiative to
protect data. All unit heads have a portable hard drive where they back up
their work. Where backups are made daily, weekly, and monthly.

3. The three types of training needed by data agencies related to the end-user ICT are:
 On-the-job Training- Here training program is most beneficial to employees
who are fresh to a system. Employees' need for extra training lessens as their
experience with the system grows. Employers should be aware of these
differences and take advantage of this early excitement by providing an
environment where initial training is readily available.
 Peer-to-peer training- Training provided by employees or by colleagues who
are already experienced.
 Coaching or mentoring- Training provided by assigned technical expertise.

4. ICT has increased the scope for greater and faster interaction with people. ICT has
made work easier for a data-generating agency like FBOS. By reducing time,
increasing security, and providing accurate and timely data for the users. ICT has
helped data generating agencies like NSO with programming ( data is input into
 software tools like SPSS and CSPro and coded to create statistics information),
network support ( using LAN, WAN, Internet ) for accessing the data on PC, helps in
data collection through questionnaires with the help of telecommunication, emails
from respondents. Use of artificial intelligence to restrict the access of data by locks
only authorized person can access through encrypted passwords, fingerprint, facial
recognition. This is to protect confidential data.

5. The framework that was developed in the pacific region is the “Framework for Action
on ICT Development in the Pacific (FAIDP)”. It was formulated in response to the
call from pacific leaders at the 40 th pacific island forum in cairns in August 2009, for
the Pacific Plan Digital Strategy (PPDS) to be reviewed and updated. This framework
outlined an approach to developing and improving information and communication
technology (ICT) services to support the development and to strengthen governance.
This framework includes “Twelve guiding principles” that defines the relevance and
appropriateness of regional initiatives, as well as the mode of collaboration among
partners and between partners and PIC, “these guidelines also recognize the region's
challenges, appropriate technologies, climate change, gender, and cultural issues, and
sustainable livelihoods, concerning the need for leadership, improved coordination
and planning, capacity development, and monitoring and evaluation strategies”. This
also framework outlines 7 themes which are as follows: governance, leadership, ICT
policy, coordination and partnerships, legislation, and regulatory frameworks, ICT
human capacity building, Financing, monitoring, and evaluation, ICT infrastructure,
and access, international connectivity, cyber-security, and ICT applications. The aim
is to help guide future actions, inform policy direction, enhance funding decisions,
and support the implementation of national policies and plans.

Section B
Question 6
Frameworks are built upon the strategies used by NSOs to address the key issues and improve
statistics. A regional framework that is chosen for data dissemination is “Regional data
dissemination Strategy” and for ICT development “framework for action on ICT development
(FAIDP)”. This essay intends to discuss the achievement of the framework for data
dissemination and ICT development, the major drawbacks of the framework, and follow how
development partners such as ABS can help.
To begin with, the achievement of regional data dissemination framework are as follows:
Firstly, it addresses various issues such as diverse types of information needed by different users
of statistics, lack of transparency, complex information, etc. By developing strategies to
overcome these issues. With this framework, it has aimed to achieve transparency by publishing
distinct types of statistics and making them available for its users. For example, FBOS has its
website where it makes various statistics such as HIES, employment and unemployment survey,
and census available for the public, it also social media such as Facebook to display some of the
data which are beneficial for the public, hence it enhances transparency in information.
Secondly, it ensures that information that is being published or made available is easily accessed
and quickly understood by the users. Thirdly, it meets producers’ like NSO’s needs, the data
must be protected through good governance mechanisms and must be easily disseminated.
Furthermore, FAIDP outlines an approach for developing and improving information and
communication technology (ICT) services to support development, strengthen governance and
improve the livelihoods in the Pacific. This framework aims to improve Information and
Communication Technology(ICT) in the pacific region through its goals which are: efficient and
effective utilization of ICT for sustainable development, access to affordable ICT, and adoption
of ICT as a national priority in pacific island territories, with its goals it has enhanced its social
and economic sustainable development, good governance, and security through access and use of
ICT. It has enabled people to access and enjoy the benefits of ICT and the internet. Also, its
framework has increased the liberalization of the telecommunication sector over the last few
years by improving the reach, quality, availability, and affordability of communication with great
coverage of mobile phones along with wireless networking. Thus, it has brought great
advantages for people as well as for NSO’s by providing better access to data as it will be a lot
easier for enumerators to gather data from places that were beyond their reach using the latest
technologies.
However, there are some drawbacks of this framework, and these are as follows; for a “Regional
data dissemination strategy”, Firstly, despite so many activities, strategy is not that successful as
users lack confidence in the underlying data. Secondly, there is a lack of resources to implement
plans for national dissemination. Thirdly, improvements have not been sustained across the
region. Likewise, for FAIDP, since ICT use in regions like Fiji are not robust and often out of
date which led to few regions having e‐government plans despite the huge potential benefits of
using ICT to deliver government services effectively and efficiently, broadband penetration in
most pacific island countries and territories is only about 1 percent, and monthly fees for basic
broadband is high for 265kbps ranges from 50 FJD. In addition, despite the growing reliance on
ICT and the crucial role it plays in society, only a few pacific island countries have legislation
that addresses to some extent of misuse of ICT for criminal purposes.
To add on, how development partners like the Australian Bureau of Statistics(ABS) and other
agencies in the pacific can help towards data dissemination by assisting the regions where each,
has a role and mandate that to drive their needs for data and the way they use it to develop their
programs, and also take an active part in the development of the statistical capacity to meet those
needs. Improved data dissemination at a national and regional level requires better statistical
governance, this can be done through ABS programs like strengthening statistics. ABS can also
help by drawing attention to integrated statistics and raising the profile and demand for statistics
through activities such as piloting activities to improve data dissemination process and
publication in Fiji as well as in other pacific island countries, trying to implement best practice
initiatives, and improving ICT/dissemination infrastructure.
Therefore, to conclude, frameworks play a vital role in statistics as they are developed to
improve statistics and growth. The achieving aims of the regional data dissemination framework
are achieving transparency by publishing distinct types of statistics and making them available
for its users, easy to understand and quickly access information, it meets producers’ like NSO’s
needs, the data must be protected through good governance mechanisms. The FAIDP aims to
achieve access to affordable ICT, efficient and effective utilization of ICT for sustainable
development, adoption of ICT as a national priority in pacific island territories, with its goals it
has enhanced its social and economic sustainable development, good governance, and security
through access and use of ICT. Some drawbacks of regional data dissemination framework are
users lack confidence in the underlying data, lack of resources. FAIDP drawback is that there is a
misuse of ICT for criminal purposes. How development partners can help by assisting the
regions where each, has a role and mandate that to drive their needs for data and the way they
use it to develop their programs, and also take an active part in the development of the statistical
capacity to meet those needs.
Question 7
Ten-Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS) was implemented for improvement in growth in
pacific island countries. It was an ABS program focused on strengthening pacific statistics, this
program also outlines lessons and challenges that were faced by some pacific island statistical
agencies. This essay intends to discuss the three key lessons for smaller NSOs in the pacific that
can be learned from the Australian Bureau of Statistics(ABS) in the field of ICT, followed by
challenges that will be faced by NSOs in adopting the best practice.
The lessons that the smaller pacific island countries can learn from ABS are as follows; Firstly,
delivery of training and capacity building support just like ABS, pacific island countries like
Vanuatu can also improve their delivery of training and capacity building support. Since there is
a lack of a coordinated approach towards the training and capacity-building support to pacific
statistical development that leads to delays and interruptions to planned activities. Development
partners usually focus on specific skills or facets of the statistical cycle such as data collecting
phases in isolation, which gives rise to data quality, analysis, and sustainability issues for NSOs.
Secondly, involvement of statistics agencies the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics
New Zealand are statistical agencies that implemented international standards and frameworks
and methodology, these agencies have much to offer regarding implementation of these
standards and learned from applying them. A better-coordinated approach for statistics
development is needed so that the methodology is owned by the NSOs, and the links or
sequencing of activities can be planned over time. International statistics processes and
techniques may be complicated, with certain components being irrelevant to the Pacific region
setting. NSO involvement from Australia or New Zealand can be used to guarantee relevance to
the nation and compatibility with the country. Thirdly, statistical Governance can improve data
dissemination in smaller pacific regions. Since bilateral and multilateral donors dominate the
statistics landscape, particularly at the regional scale. While there have been some improvements
in recent years, there is still a need for smaller pacific island NSOs to get involved to foster a
culture of discussion and shared priorities.
However, some challenges that are being faced by smaller pacific country NSO in adopting the
best practices and this are as follows: Firstly, the usefulness of statistical processes and
methodology this means that statistical processes and methodologies must fit its purpose, in
other words, regional technical assistance or any bilateral program offered by regional
organizations needs to be designed with an understanding of, and sensitivity to, the size and
resources of smaller pacific island countries NSOs. For example, NSOs, have highlighted
concerns about the single HIES framework proposed by the Secretariat of the Pacific
Community (SPC) for the Pacific. The complexity of international recommendations and
standards sometimes appears to overwhelm PIC NSOs. The ABS Pacific Program's experience
demonstrates that keeping frameworks and definitions simple has its value. Institutional
assistance, notably IT infrastructure and support, must also be targeted effectively while keeping
up with statistical business procedures and techniques. Secondly, a chronically weak
operational base means that smaller pacific island country's NSOs are poorly funded, and in
certain circumstances, funds do not cover even the most basic statistical procedures. The
inability of Government Statisticians to engage in strategic job responsibilities is hindered by a
shortage of skilled enumerators or enumerators and support staff. This weak operational base is
compounded by external support, which frequently focuses on certain areas of the statistical
business process (such as the development phase or data collecting), causing quality and
sustainability concerns for the NSO. Smaller PIC NSOs will struggle to build and sustain
forward work programs unless there is a coordinated financing structure that allows NSOs to
resource and finish a whole statistical business cycle from design, collection, compilation,
production, and dissemination. Thirdly, PIC NSOs in governance are bilateral, and multilateral
donors, as well as SPC, dominate the data picture, particularly at the regional level. While this is
unlikely to change soon, there is potential for bringing PIC NSOs to the table and encouraging a
culture of debate and shared priority.
In conclusion, some key lessons that pacific island countries NSO can learn from ABS are
training and capacity-building support to improve their statistics data, involving of statistics
agencies for better-coordinated approach for statistics development, and statistical governance
to improve data dissemination in smaller pacific regions. The challenges that can be faced by
smaller NSOs in adopting the best practices are the usefulness of statistical processes and
methodology the statistical processes and methodologies should fit its purpose according to an
understanding, size, and resources of the pacific, weak operational base the smaller pacific
island country's NSOs are poorly funded, PIC NSOs in governance are bilateral, and
multilateral donors, as well as SPC, dominate the data picture, particularly at the regional level.
While this is unlikely to change soon.

Question 9
The digital divide is known as the unequal availability of opportunities to access and contribute
to information, knowledge, and networks, as well as to profit from the development-enhancing
capabilities of ICT. This essay intends to discuss the three innovations made in the use of ICT in
regions like Australia and New Zealand, which can be adopted by smaller NSOs of the pacific
followed by some drawbacks of regional NSO’s in adopting this development.
To begin with, the innovations that are made in the use of ICT (information and communication
technology) in the regions like Australia and New Zealand are as follows: Firstly, the innovation
made by statistical agencies, household data access/ IT statistics this was carried out by
Australian bureau of statistics through a population survey monitor, where ICT was used to
record household data about the use of computers, the Internet, and other technologies, as well as
individual adult data about the use of computers and the Internet at various locations, as well as
details of Internet purchases, electronic financial transactions, and working from home, that
shows how digital divide continues to narrow with significant differences remain between
different groups of Australia, with both access and use of the internet. Secondly, use of E-
business in many countries like Australia and New Zealand, since the businesses are using these
advanced technologies, ICT provides unprecedented opportunities to effectively fight against
poverty in the developing countries: for example, ICT can support the poor in business
development by creating more opportunities to make a profit, such as for a small restaurant
business taking advantage of the internet by advertising their various menus with electronic
payment method and providing delivery as this will not only benefit its customers but also the
business, as well increase its profit and engage more customers. ABS gathers its information
through Business Use of IT Statistics whereby data is collected from across the region through a
survey questionnaire with the help of telecommunication, emails, etc. To determine how
businesses are involving themselves with innovation in ICT. For example: using data analytics,
artificial intelligence, cloud technology. Thirdly, there has been a communication gap
reduction meaning the transmission of information, even to remote locations, may be greatly
facilitated in different ways; this can be used in a wide range of disciplines such as
pharmaceutical, education, technological progress, and so on.
Some limitations/ drawbacks of regional NSOs in adopting this development are as follows;
Firstly, there is a lack of resources available in the pacific. For example, in Fiji, the data
collection on household IT statistics will be challenging as many do not have access to the
internet and computers and in remote areas, people have little or no knowledge about the latest
technology. Secondly, it is expensive to set up this advanced technology/ requires
maintenance over time since the pacific region countries like Fiji and Vanuatu are still
developing therefore, it will be very costly to adopt and maintain these technologies. Thirdly,
Changes will not happen overnight but will happen gradually over time, necessitating
patience in the introduction of new technology means it will take time for pacific regions to
adopt these new technologies.
To conclude, the three innovations made in regions like Australia and New Zealand are as
follows: the innovations made by its statistical agencies’ household data access/ IT statistics,
use of E-business and Business use of IT statistics, and Communication gap reduction.
Some drawbacks of the pacific region in adopting these innovations are lack of resources
available, it is expensive to set up this advanced technology/ requires maintenance over
time, Changes will take time.