It is not only in football that South Africa will be hosting a World Cup. Statistics, too, has its 'World Cup', which will be held in South Africa in 2009. This takes the form of the 57th Session of the International Statistics Institute (ISI), which will be held in Durban during August 2009.
Founded in 1885, the ISI is one of the oldest international scientific association's active today. The ISI provides a platform for statisticians to develop and improve statistical methods and their application through the promotion of international activities and co-operation.
The ISI is especially renowned for its biennial meetings in which the entire membership congregates to exchange innovative ideas, develop new links and discuss current trends and developments in the statistical world.
Country bids for the ISI's biennial sessions are awarded six years in advance, and the 57th Session will mark the first one to be held in sub-Saharan Africa in the ISI's 122-year history. African participation at previous ISI sessions has been limited, and South Africa, as host and organiser of the 57th session, is working particularly hard to ensure broad-based participation from as many African countries as possible.
The 57th ISI session will showcase progress made in statistical development on the African continent to the world's statistical community. Up to five thousand statisticians will be told of progress made in measuring and monitoring implementation of the Millenium Development Goals in Africa; of the African round of population censuses; of the development of statistical infrastructure and competences which allow for the collection of data to confront poverty and under-development, to develop appropriate policy, and to monitor and measure the outcomes of policy implementation.
As one of the organisers of the 2009 ISI gathering, Stats SA is developing two programmes under the auspices of the ISI's scientific section: ISIbalo, (Zulu for a mathematical sum), and ISIbane (Zulu for 'light'). These two innovative projects, dealing with capacity building and social responsibility respectively, will continue long after the ISI's 57th Session has closed and moved to Ireland for its 58th Session in 2011.
In Lisbon next week, Portugal, the hosts of the 56th Session of the ISI, will be officially handing over the hosting of the 57th Session to South Africa. A large South African contingent will be present not only to participate in the deliberations of the session, but also to showcase South Africa as a worthy winner of the 2009 bid.
Various South African exhibitions will be promoting the country to potential delegates, ensuring that the 2009 gathering will combine statistical development with the broader opportunities of tourism.
To deliver a world class ISI Session that will leave a lasting impression of the Republic of South Africa and Africa in the world through the provision of a quality service to ISI.
To plant seeds for strengthening the development of human statistical capacity and re-creating numerate societies in South Africa, the Southern African Development Community Africa as a region.
To raise awareness of the importance of quality statistics for better development outcomes.
The former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, noted that 'The only people that will change Africa ultimately are Africans'. As Stats SA's delegation prepares to leave for the 56th ISI Session, its members know that, when Portugal passes on the baton to South Africa, this will mark a significant milestone in African endeavours to change and unify their continent.
Stats SA takes great pleasure in launching the ISI 2009 website. The ISI (International Statistics Institute) conference will be hosted in Durban in August 2009. It is the first time in the 122 year history of the ISI that this prestigious event will be held in Africa. To view the website visit www.statssa.gov.