Nationally Based Data: Challenges for Global Governance (and Global Policy)

The current statistical picture of the world is probably the best it has ever been. But it also entails major limitations. In this article we show the limitations by focusing on three key areas: security, economy of development and the environment, and argue that they undermine the performance of global governance, and the possibility of global policy. In particular they do not allow taking the full measure and managing optimally the changes underway at the global level. To overcome this state of affairs, upgrading statistical capabilities is critical. To achieve this objective, the article suggests, among other ideas: adjusting and adapting the conceptualization, collection and implementation of statistical data to a world that is on its way to becoming global; improving the conditions of compilation of statistical data in developing countries; and investing in institution-building and innovation, in developed and developing countries, and in national and international organizations.

Optimizing policy and management in a world partially or fully globalized calls for the need to adjust data that is ‘part and parcel’ of public policy.
It is necessary to continue to improve the modalities of compilation of statistical data. Hence, making more efforts for standardization and helping support further developing countries to collect data.
The need to invest in institution-building and innovation, in developed and developing countries, and in national and international organizations. This entails improving the ways in which data professionals are trained, conduct research and then exercise their profession.
Increase the level of transparency of data conceptualization, production and dissemination in order to address the growing problem of lack of trust, especially in the financial and economic areas following the mismanagement of information in the context of the 2008 economic crisis.