Technical Support Packages 2009

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UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT

DESA Statistics Division

Technical Support Packages 2009

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Software and technical support packages

to facilitate the dissemination of

2010 round census results

Last updated on 01 May 2009

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Background

The importance of disseminating census results

1. The fundamental purpose of the population census is to provide quantitative information essential to governmental policymaking; evidence-based planning and administration. In addition, the information is also useful to various stakeholders, among them, civil society; researchers and international organizations. The population census is unique in that it provides comparable basic statistics for a country as a whole, and, more importantly, at small administrative levels or domains. Census information, therefore, contributes to overall planning, in a country or area, by making it possible to objectively plan at sub-national administrative levels. Population censuses, in many countries, are the backbone for statistical capacity building of national statistical offices.

2. At the 36th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission in March 2005, the Statistical Commission approved the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses covering the period 2005 to 2014. In this context, one of the three main goals of the World Programme is to assist countries in their efforts to disseminate census results in a timely manner.

3. Dissemination of varied census results has been one of the weakest points of population and housing censuses in the past rounds. Many countries faced problems to disseminate their results widely and quickly. In many cases, anticipated dissemination costs are not usually included in the initial budget plan. It appears that census enumeration is the major focus, in many countries, while detailed data analysis and dissemination, through different media, are not given priority. As the census is the major source for information at small geographical levels, local authorities’ needs must be taken into consideration and specific products developed for their use. For example, simplified and appealing reports can be developed presenting the main population characteristics of a local administrative area, though basic tables, graphs, maps. Such information could be compared with other sub-national areas. 4. With the increasing need for evidence-based decision making and rapid development of technology, census data users have great interest in having a broad range of products and services from the census organization. Advanced information technology, coupled with relevant software packages, provides the opportunity to produce a greater number and a wider variety of census products including assorted tabulations than was the case with previous census results. The data stored in the census database represent a rich source of information, which allows fast and relatively inexpensive production of additional tables as they are requested. Online access or dissemination of such micro- and/or macro-databases on computer media can greatly contribute to an enlarging of the user base by adding value to census results and creating enhanced demand for census data. There is, therefore, a great opportunity to develop computer based dissemination regimes in addition to paper publications.

CensusInfo: A Software Application for Disseminating Census Results

5. In 2008, under a UN Joint Programme sponsored by UN Statistics Division, UNFPA and UNICEF, CensusInfo was adapted from DevInfo database technology for the dissemination of census results. DevInfo is a database management system which is being broadly used to monitor human development around the agenda to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This user-friendly

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system generates tables, graphs and maps for reports and presentations. DevInfo has been developed in cooperation within the United Nations system and has been adapted from UNICEF ChildInfo technology developed in the 1990’s.

6. CensusInfo has the following features:

• Software database system based on DevInfo database technology and fully integrated with human development databases in use in DevInfo format in more than 120 countries

• Operates both as a desktop application and on the web

• Organizes data by indicators, time periods, and geographic areas with extensive metadata based on international standards

• CensusInfo can be customized to meet country-specific requirements both in terms of content (indicators) and branding

• CensusInfo links data to digital maps at the sub-national geographical level • CensusInfo can import data from other software applications

• CensusInfo contains a core set of census indicators with options to add country-specific indicators

• CensusInfo generates user-defined standard reports, tables, graphs and maps

CensusInfo: Ownership, Customization and Data Exchange Options

7. Ownership. On 23 February 2009, CensusInfo was officially launched by its co-sponsors at the United Nations Statistical Commission. CensusInfo is distributed royalty-free to all national partners and UN agencies for deployment on both desktops and the web. The software is owned by the United Nations (managed by UNICEF on behalf of the UN Development Group).

8. Customization. The user interface of the system and the contents of the databases supported by the system include country-specific branding and packaging options which have been designed for broad ownership by national authorities. There are no restrictions on the use and distribution of the database technology by national partners. The DevInfo Support Group is available to provide technical support on request. In addition, the DevInfo initiative facilitates the devolution of technical support through national capacity.

9. Data Exchange. CensusInfo database technology offers a broad range of technical solutions which are customized to national requirements. Database technology options include both open and closed source products, such as MySQL, Oracle and MS SQL Server. Data exchange options include product-specific data exchange utilities and a data exchange software development kit which allows national programmers to develop data bridges. More modules are planned for the future to ensure further national software development and customization.

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CensusInfo: Technical Support Packages for National Census Partners

10. UN Long-Term Technical Support Commitment. The DevInfo initiative is managed by UNICEF on behalf of, and with support from, the member agencies of the UN Development Group. Software development and technical maintenance are ensured through a long-term technical support commitment to this initiative. The DevInfo/CensusInfo software design process is guided by the DevInfo Field Reference Group and coordinated by the DevInfo Inter-Agency Advisory Committee. This process builds upon national user requirements and technical feedback. All national partners are encouraged to continuously contribute to this process and become involved in the design and development of this software package.

11. CensusInfo Steering Committee. A steering committee has been established with members from UNSD, UNFPA and UNICEF (DevInfo). The steering committee is responsible for the overall management of the CensusInfo project, project documentation, project financing, project communications and meetings.

12. National Ownership and Sustainable Technical Support at National Level. National census offices are encouraged to build their own capacity for the implementation of CensusInfo in their own country settings. The CensusInfo technology package provides self-paced e-learning modules, technical documentation and an online Helpdesk to support technical teams in the use of this database technology. The objective is to deploy CensusInfo with the documentation and technical support required to ensure full and independent national ownership of the software and to assist national census offices in building a CensusInfo database administration team to provide sustainable technical support at the national and sub-national levels.

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CensusInfo Technical Support Packages from the DSG

13. CensusInfo Technical Support Packages from the DevInfo Support Group. The DevInfo Support Group provides technical support, training, database administration, web development and advocacy materials development for CensusInfo. Three technical support packages are described below to assist national census offices in building their own capacity to administer and update the process of disseminating census results using CensusInfo.

Level 0 – Self-startup technical support package

14. Description . This package will be developed with the necessary technical guidelines to enable a country to implement CensusInfo within its own capacity. After going through the various on-line learning resources available, a country will be able to install the software, upload data at different geographic levels and create a census database for dissemination.

15. Documentation . This package begins with the CensusInfo Technical Guidelines document, which will summarize in clear, step-by-step processes how a user with minimum technical capacity can install the system, create/modify the database content, upload data, link the data to maps, customize the branding and prepare the database for dissemination. This package also will include the

CensusInfo User’s Guide and the CensusInfo Database Administration Guide. These manuals will explain each of the features of the system in detail. In addition, this package includes the CensusInfo Administrative Guidelines and Best Practices for Successful Implementation document. All of these documents will available under the Downloads section of the CensusInfo website.

16. E-Learning Courseware. An e-learning course will be deployed to provide capacity building to all stakeholders. The objective of the e-learning course will be to cover the basic technical information required to use CensusInfo database technology. The e-learning courseware will be deployed both on CD and on the internet.

Level 1 – Basic training and technical support package

17. Description. This basic package is designed to provide senior census government officers with a general orientation and hands-on demonstration of the powerful features of CensusInfo. The package includes technical training in the start-up processes to build the capacity within the census office to create and administer the CensusInfo database, to plan the dissemination strategy, setup the CensusInfo database template, establish the data upload/data entry procedures, enter basic data, link the data to national and sub-national maps (2nd sub-national level) and create basic user-defined reports, tables, graphs and maps.

Level 1 Deliverables:

CensusInfo Orientation and Hands-On Demonstration CensusInfo Data Dissemination Strategic Plan

CensusInfo Database Template

CensusInfo Database Data Management Plan CensusInfo Database (prototype edition)

CensusInfo Database Maps (to 2nd sub-national level linked to data) CensusInfo Basic Reports, Tables, Graphs, Maps

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Level 2 – Advanced database and customization technical support package

18. Global Capacity Strengthening. This package is designed to provide advanced technical support to customize the CensusInfo package to national requirements. The technical support will assist the census office in adapting the database content by adding country-specific indicators, linking the census data to indicator classifications and filling in the metadata for each indicator. This package also assists the census office in adapting the branding of the CensusInfo to meet country-specific requirements, including, the name of the package, logos, color scheme and images. This technical support package also includes linking the database to sub-national maps to the 4th sub-national level.

CensusInfo Database Administration Technical Support and Training CensusInfo Product Customization to National Requirements

CensusInfo Database (edition 1)

CensusInfo Database Maps (to 4th sub-national level linked to data)

Level 3 – Advanced census data dissemination technical support package

19. Description. This package is designed to provide the census office with technical support for implementing their data dissemination plan. The package includes launching the national census database the web, the option to create a census data CD, CD folder, brochure (printed and electronic formats), posters (printed and electronic formats) and an online gallery with tables, graphs and maps on key census topics.

CensusInfo Database Launch Advocacy Materials (setup CD for desktop application) CensusInfo Database Web-Enabled (optional)

CensusInfo Database Brochure CensusInfo Database Poster

CensusInfo Database Thematic Posters CensusInfo Database Online Web Gallery

Level 4 – Advanced digital mapping technical support package

20. Description. This package is designed to provide the census office with technical support for uploading, standardizing and integrating the country’s digital maps into a single national digital map library. The objective of this activity is to establish a national spatial data infrastructure (NSDI), which is defined as the technologies, policies, and people necessary to promote sharing of geospatial data throughout all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic community. The goal of this NSDI is to reduce duplication of effort among agencies, improve quality and reduce costs related to geographic information. The NSDI aims to make geographic data more accessible to the public, increase the benefits of using available data, and establish key partnerships with users of digital maps of the country.

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Memorandum of Understanding regarding NSDI and Census Maps

NSDI Standardization, Integration and Maintenance Plan for Census Maps

CensusInfo: Instructions for Requesting Technical Support

1. Complete the CensusInfo 2009 Work Plan Form. To request technical support, the first step is to define the needs of the census organization. A standardized list of products and services is provided to assist in determining the options for your work plan. This list contains a description and unit costs of each of the three standard technical assistance packages described above and the optional add-ons. See attached: CensusInfo 2009 - Work Plan (region or country name) r.xls. 2. Funding. Identify the funding source for the activities planned. Funding sources may include

UN agencies, donors and the census data dissemination budget.

3. Time Frame. Indicate the desired implementation schedule for the activities planned. 4. Focal Point. Indicate the focal point responsible for coordination of the work plan.

5. Travel (if applicable). Estimate the travel expenses for any in-country technical support missions in the work plan, including the air fare and United Nations daily subsistence allowance for the city where the mission will take place. Travel expenses are to be reimbursed against actual travel costs as per UN travel guidelines. (You may request the DSG to assist in filling in the travel estimate.)

6. Work Plan Submission and Review. Submit the completed form to [email protected]. The DSG will review the work plan and contact your focal point to schedule the activities, subject to approval of the work plan and budget.