A study on the capacity of statistical offices of the Caribbean to produce Environment, Social, Economic and Gender Statistics

Statistical organizations of the Caribbean countries continue to face serious challenges posed by the increased demand for more relevant, accurate and timely statistical data. Tangible progress has been made in delivering key products in the area of economic statistics. The central banks of the subregion have assisted greatly in this respect. However, even in this branch of statistics there are still several glaring gaps. The situation is even worse in other areas of statistics including social and environmental statistics. Even though all countries of the subregion have committed to the Mille…

The use of databases of social and gender statistics in the development of policies and programmes

The unavailability of data to inform policy planning and formulation has been repeatedly cited as the main challenge to economic and social progress in the Caribbean. Furthermore, even in instances when data is produced, broader gaps exist between its production and eventual use for evidence-based policy formulation. Owing to those challenges, this report explores the use of databases of social and gender statistics in the development of policies and programmes in the Caribbean subregion. The report offers a general appraisal of databases against two main considerations: (i) maximizing the use…

Policy Brief: Evidence based policy-making in the Caribbean

There is much advocacy in the Caribbean regarding the need for evidence-based policy making, that is – policy making that is based on timely and reliable data regarding a particular economic and/or social problem, to promote good governance and facilitate enhanced policy and programme outcomes. However, the reality remains an elusive one for many Caribbean policy makers, who implement policies based on ideas, as well as ad hoc or outdated data. Outside of the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States of America are countries where polic…

ECLAC and UNICEF Call to Meet Goal of Universal Birth Registration by 2015

(29 December 2011) According to the thirteenth issue of the bulletin Challenges launched today by ECLAC and UNICEF, it is estimated that 10% of children under the age of five in Latin America and the Caribbean are not registered, which infringes their ability to exercise their social, economic, civil and cultural rights. The article "A rights-based approach to birth registration in Latin America and the Caribbean", which is included in the latest issue of the joint publication, highlights that in total there are 6.5 million children without birth certificates in the region. It indicates that…

Creative industries in the Caribbean: a new road for diversification and export growth

Creative industries have become a new engine of growth and development in the world economy. This dynamic sector, which ranges from traditional arts to multimedia, has been an important driver of innovation and productivity growth. The present study argues that the creative industries can become a pillar for economic diversification and export growth in the Caribbean. The study adds to the developing literature on the creative sector by evaluating export performance in the context of constraints as well as opportunities. The Caribbean creative sector possesses a number of advantages that are r…

Well-developed Statistical Systems: essential aids for policy-making in the Caribbean

Macroeconomic cooperation for uncertain times: the REDIMA experience

This book shows how international policy cooperation can be beneficial even in the absence of strong real transmission channels between countries. “Cooperation for learning”, the approach to cooperation we present, works by allowing policymakers to exchange experiences and jointly learn how to address regular common policymaking challenges posed by different types of uncertainty. Such cooperation is based on the establishment of links between policymakers and other institutions. International organizations like the United Nations can nurture and support such learning networks. In Latin America…

Visita de María Otero, Subsecretaria de Estado de los Estados Unidos para la Seguridad Civil, la Democracia y los Derechos Humanos

Visit of Mr. Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China