The Conference of European Statisticians – a survey

Abstract

The Conference of European Statisticians was founded in 1953 as a Subsidiary Body of the Economic Commission for Europe and the United Nations Statistical Commission. Its objectives are to improve national statistics and their international comparability, and to promote close co-ordination of the statistical activities in Europe of international organizations. Consequently, the CES work is oriented towards regional statistical co-operation in the context of specific east–west relations in Europe, with a strong element of integration into world-wide statistical activities. The Conference deals with the whole field of official statistics, covering economic, demographic, social and environment statistics. International recommendations relating to particular subjects such as population censures are among the objectives of the Conference's endeavours, as are the development of standard statistical classifications and the development of general statistical frameworks for integrating data over broad areas. Furthermore, problems arising in the organization and operation of national statistical services are studied, particularly those related to the use of electronic data processing in statistical offices. The Conference provides for a systematic exchange of views among heads of national statistical services on matters of statistical policy of common interest. The selection of projects for inclusion in the Conference's programme of work is determined by the current needs of the national statistical services in co-ordination with the guidance obtained from the Conference's two parent bodies. The programme of work is reviewed at annual plenary sessions of the Conference.