UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Statistics for periodic reporting Simon Ellis

UNESCOINSTITUTE for STATISTICS

Statistics for periodic reporting

Simon Ellis


What’s it for?

Outstanding Universal Value? Management process?

Risk/threat Resources

Future plans?

All of the above!!


What can we expect?

From site managers EU/NA everything?, other regions much

less?? Statistics or qualitative info? Resources

database design > data entry > extraction > publishing > long term maintenance

Training; glossaries, technical assistance, capacity building


Fundamental principles of statistics

Minimise the collection burden on countries

Fitness for purpose Do not duplicate collection of the

same information Only collect what is needed and use

all that is collected


Iceberg or Pyramid?

Site level Management

effectiveness National level

Management effectiveness

Publication Prioritisation Identify best

practice

Regional level Publications and

reviews Prioritisation Identify best

practice Global level

Universal value Prioritisation

Evidence based policy


Response rates ~ local co-operation

Africa ArabStates

AsiaPacific

LAC

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%Cooperation andCollaboration withLocal authorities inthe NominationProcess

Cooperation andCollaboration withLocal Population inthe NominationProcess

Less than 60% of countries reported whether they had involved local authorities or communities

In Arab States less than 40%


Low response rates ~ some reasons

Design issues; use of colour Capacity; resources, technical skills Results not used Understanding; language, concepts Number of open questions; length of

time/thought required Other work; relevance, priority


The questionnaires

Too many questions often open-ended, no time to process = not used Duplication, inconsistency Flow and routing

Complex notes Translation/adaptation issues Too many questions about uncertain future For each question ask for all regions

Is this often filled in? Are answers clear? Is the data used in publications and reports? Are answers/non-response followed up?

Use and feedback Periodicity; to what extent is structure fixed for whole

reporting cycle? Regional cycle = reduced comparability


A new strategy

At international level put resources into improving response rates in a smaller set of ‘core’ data

Review questionnaire design consider mixed instruments

Data sheet Structured questionnaire (matrix, yes/no) Interview (qualitative data) Inventory (facilities)

Leave detailed interpretation to national (and regional?) levels


A core data set (all types of site)

Absolute minimum Site ref no Staff numbers Area covered by designation Population in smallest surrounding

administrative community

Other possibilities less likely to be available Annual visitor numbers Budget for on-site activities Scientific/research publications


Purpose of indicators

To provide a broad brush picture of trends and patterns of distribution

To inform policy decisions To suggest areas for further

investigation/research


Indicators

Designation issues Financial resources

GDP Human resources

Staff State of Conservation

Survey problems mean only first category can currently be assessed


Designation ~ number of sites by type and region

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Natural

Mixte

Cultural


Designation ~ mountain sites by criteria, nos of sites 1979-1993

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Criteria N(i)

Criteria N(ii)

Criteria N(iii)

Criteria N(iv)

Africa

Asia/Pacific

Europe/ NorthAmerica

Latin America/Caribbean


Finance

Budget in relation to national GDP % of national budget allocated to

cultural and natural heritage % of site budget expenditure

allocated to conservation % of ticket revenue allocated to

site where available


Sites at risk in relation to GDP


Human resources ~ what level of detail?

Headcount or full time equivalent Trained personnel

Cannot judge the quality of the course

Training v. years of experience Duties are they distinct roles

Conservation, guide,


Potential HR indicators

Human resources Percentage of staff allocated to

conservation, preservation Numbers of staff related to

numbers of tourists Numbers of staff in relation to local

population


State of Conservation

Measures in relation to key thresholds – visitors, acidity

Regular maintenance – budget, staff time

Measures of annual change – change in average annual rainfall (acidity?), changes in numbers of species etc.

Documents

UNESCO INSTITUTE for STATISTICS Statistics for periodic reporting Simon Ellis