Working Party on the Application of New Technology to Population Data
Second Meeting
1-3 April 1998
Singapore

1. The Working Party on the Application of New Technology to Population Data is given the task to identify some common approaches to system development with the ultimate aim of improving the quality, timely availability and the statistical outputs and services of national statistical offices. At the first meeting held in September 1997, the Working Party has identified 3 separate fields of IT applications to population data. Countries were selected to test the application for the 2000 round of population data. The following are 3 core areas as the major focus of the project for undertaking further research, evaluation and bench-marking:
   1. GIS in censuses and surveys
   2. Imaging and data capture technology
   3. Applications of Internet based technology
2. As extensive work is expected to be carried out in these areas, it is envisaged that more countries could benefit from the projects through the production of a dissemination package which will provide the census takers and statisticians in general on the awareness of the experiences of the countries in the application of new technology to statistical data. This is in line with the recommendation of the Working Party which emphasizes the importance of the cooperation between countries in planning and conducting of statistical related activities especially at a time when the external financial assistance for developing countries for the 2000 round of population census is likely to be at a reduced level as compared to the past.
3. It is proposed that the package will take the forms of a booklet cum/or video detailing the 3 IT applications that have been identified. It will focus on the specific applications drawing on the materials gathered through the 3 projects undertaken by countries concerned. As extensive work on a wide range of evaluation options for various aspects of population data processing are expected to be carried out with the services of a consultant in each area of IT application, the awareness package should logically be based on the output and results of these projects.
4. It is intended to seek the services of a consultant with expertise in the production of visual training materials to undertake the task of producing the awareness package. The consultant shall work primarily with the materials produced by the project teams. The preparation of the training materials will be carried out with SIAP providing the overall supervision. A sum of $20,000 is earmarked for this programme.
5. SIAP will work closely with the countries undertaking the projects to source the materials for the awareness package. To facilitate this, there should be adequate write-up and documentation of the work undertaken and the results of the projects. Accordingly the country project inputs should include the following:
   1. a survey of the technology that is currently available.
   2. comparison of the various option vis-à-vis the comparative advantages and disadvantages.
   3. the reasons for the chosen technology for evaluation and testing.
   4. the various applications that could be associated with the chosen technology to population data.
   5. other applications that could be utilized for other statistical activities.
   6. photographic copies or output or other media that are useful for the awareness package should be made or retained.
   7. any other useful materials or documents that are deemed important for the production of the awareness package.