Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 29, 2013 (SKNIS): Statisticians from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM are currently in St. Kitts and Nevis to for a series of meetings, in commemoration of the ‘International Year of Statistics.’
An opening ceremony was held at the St. Kitts Marriot Resort on Monday 28 October, 2013, under the theme: “Statistics in Everyday Life-Let us educate and appreciate.” Present was Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister of Education and Information, Ms. Beverly Harris- Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Mr. Carlton Phipps, Director of Statistics, Dr. Philomen Harrison- CARICOM Regional Progamme Director- Statistics and other invited guests.
In his keynote address, Minister Carty, welcomed all present and reflected on the years’ important milestones.
“This year, as we know, marks the 40th Anniversary of CARICOM, interestingly, it has also been designated International Year of Statistics and St. Kitts- Nevis celebrated its 30th anniversary as an independent nation,” he said. “All of these milestones give our gathering here today a special significance and resonance.”
“It is a fact that neither CARICOM, over the past forty years, nor St. Kitts-Nevis over the past thirty, could have achieved much without the data, the trend lines, the projections – the reality that is put before us on a daily basis, all grounded in statistics, and on which we depend,” he further stated.
Hon. Nigel Carty said, “With this being the International year of Statistics, our agreement that the proper collection and analysis of statistical data is key to sound decision-making and management and this being a truly independent Caribbean Community – means that we must develop an even stronger cadre of Caribbean professionals in all fields of operational endeavour.”
“It is incumbent upon us all, Ladies and Gentlemen, that we increase public awareness of the power and impact of statistics on all aspects of society; to imaginatively encourage the embrace of study of Statistics as a profession in our region,” he said. “And to highlight the creativity, intrigue, and indeed fascination that can often be associated with the field that the vast majority of this audience has chosen.”
Ms. Beverly Harris in her welcome remarks focused on the theme for this years’ conference and the importance of statistics on a whole.
“Today, reflecting on the theme, we recognize the important role that statistics play in everyday life,” she said. “There is a relationship between every individual and statistics, as they use statistics on a daily basis.
Director of Statistics Carlton Phipps said that over the next couple of days a series of meetings will be held and such of these include the Regional Statistical Seminar (RSS).
“The RSS is a recently adopted capacity building initiative, designed to enable statistical development through cooperation across the region,” he said. “This seminar provides a forum for the presentation of research, involving examination of statistical methodologies, increase analysis of data produced and the dissemination of research findings.”
He expressed his interest in the meetings ahead as it will help to better statistics nationally and regionally.
“I look forward to join my colleagues in the series of meetings to discuss the way forward for national and regional statistics,” he stated. “And to come away with concrete action plans for statistics, which will support the sustainable growth and development of my country and also deepen statistics within CARICOM countries.”
Some seventeen years ago, in 1996, St. Kitts and Nevis hosted the last conference.