Learning Centre: Population and housing census data dissemination, including CensusInfo 21 February 2011, 9:30 - 11:30 am Venue: DC2-1949 United Nations, New York

The ultimate objective of any census operation is to produce a quality and timely set of scheduled outputs. However, experience from past census rounds has shown that in many countries the vast amount of information collected is only partially analysed and disseminated and often delayed by years, resulting in underutilization of the data. The rapid advancement of technology has increased the demand for a broad range of census products and services. Data users have a growing interest in the provision of census data in various computerized formats and electronic media. Demand for direct online access to census databases along with interactive web-based tools for tabulating, graphing, analyzing and presenting census data is growing. As technological developments advance rapidly, the challenge for National Statistical Offices is to take full advantage of technological tools by identifying and implementing those that respond to user expectations and enhance the dissemination of census data to a broad range of users. One such tool being adapted by a number of NSOs is CensusInfo, a free and interactive software application co-developed by UNSD that helps countries to disseminate census data on the web (or on CD-ROM), allowing a fast and relatively inexpensive production of tables, graphs and maps at any geographical level.

The forum will provide an opportunity for sharing good national practices and experiences in the dissemination of census data. It will review innovative approaches employed in the dissemination of census data as well as the extent to which countries are taking advantage of the possibilities offered by new and existing technologies for disseminating census data. There will be a demonstration of national application of CensusInfo.

Seminar Programme/Agenda
9:30 - 10:30 am - Presentations
-	Introduction Margaret Mbogoni, UNSD
-	Dissemination of geo-referenced census data: experience of South Africa Pali Lehohla, Statistician-General Statistics South Africa
-	Use of SMS in the dissemination of census data in Kenya Anthony Kilele, Director General Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
-	Dissemination Strategies: the case of Australia Gillian Nicoll, Head Office of the Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics
-	Malawi CensusInfo Progress Charles Machnjili, Commissioner of Statistics, National Statistical Office, Malawi
-	Egypt CensusInfo Project Abou-Bakr El-Gendy, President, Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt
10:30 - 11:30 am - Discussions
11:30 am - Concluding of session