21 Oct 2015

Statistics Botswana and the Department of Statistics at the University of Botswana joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Statistics Day on Tuesday (October 20). 

Briefing media before the event, deputy statistician general, Mr Dabilani Buthali said that this is the second commemoration, with the first held in 2010 following the United Nations resolution that sought to have statistics elevated to a platform where it is well understood by users, potential users and providers so that they understand the role they have to play in the statistical processing system.

Mr Buthali noted that the World Statistics Day was held under the theme, Better Data; Better Lives, adding that different themes would be served to sensitise various players regarding the importance and the role of statistics.

Statistics produced must have an impact on the lives of people, he added.

He said one of the objectives of elevating the role of statistics to a higher platform aimed at sensitising users that statistics mark the beginning and end of processes. 

The other objective includes sensitising the community on the role of statistics in poverty eradication through monitoring and evaluation.  

He encouraged the community to participate in surveys and give accurate information.

Deputy statistician general, Dr Burton Mguni said that the sustainable development goals are an important part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which was approved at the United Nations Summit in September.

“This agenda speaks to better lives and speaks on how the world would like to see itself by 2030 and articulates how better live should be by then,” he said.

He said the vision applies to all countries in the world and has 17 development goals that cover many aspects of human wellbeing and the state of the environment. It also covers many aspects that include health, poverty, hunger and others. Ends