Report on mission to attend: (i) the Sixth Meeting of the Coordinating Committee on African Statistical Development; (ii) the Third Meeting of the CASD Sub-Committee on Research Methods and Standards

Abstract

This report outlines the mission of Parmeet Singh, Regional Adviser on Management and Organization of National Statistical Systems, to attend the Sixth Meeting of the Coordinating Committee on African Statistical Development (CASD) and the Third Meeting of the CASD Sub-Committee on Research Methods and Standards held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 8-9, 1996. The report provides a background on previous meetings and highlights the discussions on the restructuring of CASD, emphasizing the need for a clear vision for its future. Key agenda items included the presentation by UNICEF on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) initiative, the abolition of CASD's sub-committees, and the endorsement of a World Bank study on statistical needs assessment. The report concludes with an overall assessment of the meetings, noting a lack of technical substance and a focus on organizational issues, while recommending that the CASD Secretariat develop a vision for its future operations.