FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Statistical Institute of Belize hosts its first Data User Conference

Belmopan, October 17th, 2023 – The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) hosted its first-ever Data User Conference, which was held on October 13th in Belize City. This event marked a significant milestone in promoting the use of statistics for making informed decisions.

The Conference gathered stakeholders from Belize’s private sector, government agencies, academia, statutory and international bodies. The primary objective of the event was to provide a comprehensive overview of the services and products offered by the SIB and to showcase the various channels available for accessing statistics produced by the SIB and other data-producing agencies.

Key highlights of the conference included:

Data Visualization: The informative presentation demonstrated the effectiveness of data visualization for simplifying complex information.
Integrating Data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS): The presentation examined the usefulness of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the systematic and efficient collection of data and in enhancing the analysis and dissemination of statistical data.
Microdata Access: The participants were informed of how to request and use microdata through the Institute’s Microdata Access Program, which allows users to access anonymized datasets for more detailed statistical analysis and research purposes.
SIB also showcased its data portals, emphasizing their user-friendly design and the wealth of accessible information they offer.

The conference included presentations and interactive sessions that encouraged feedback and discussions among the varied attendees. It also aimed to encourage collaboration between data users and providers through the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and data needs among private and public sectors. The Institute plans to make this conference an annual event as part of its activities to commemorate Caribbean Statistics Day, which is observed every year on October 15^th.

The SIB extends heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their valuable contribution to the conference’s success. The continued involvement of stakeholders such as these has been crucial in advancing data literacy, accessibility, and informed decision-making. We reiterate our commitment to collaborating with and supporting data users, improving access to quality data, and promoting innovation in the production and use of statistics in Belize.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Javier Romero
Communications and Marketing Officer
Statistical Institute of Belize
jromero@mail.sib.org.bz
+501 822 2207 ext. 209