LAC statistics training center

Census Bureau (BUCEN), a School for Applied Statistics and Data Processing Technology (ESAYTEC) aimed at providing applied Spanish-language training in statistics and in data and analysis for Spanish-speaking Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. BUCEN"s International Statistics Program Center will implement the project. Two types of courses will be developed for ESAYTEC: short-term (2-4 week) seminars/workshops and medium-term (2-3 month) modular courses which can be taken individually or combined to form longer (2-7) month programs. All courses and materials will be in the Spanish language. The courses will emphasize: definition of data needs; appropriate data collection methods; advanced computer hardware/software technology, especially microcomputers; project evaluation and management information systems; data timeliness, presentation, and dissemination; and data analysis techniques. The project will train a total of 623 participants through 34 courses. Specifically, 12 seminar/workshops for 236 persons will be conducted overseas at the national or subregional level in response to specific host country needs. Follow-up visits and consultations will be included in this training, which donor organizations will help finance. Training in Washington, D.C. will include 9 seminar/workshops for 155 persons and 13 modular courses for 232 individuals. The project will strengthen the training capabilities of LAC statistical organizations by: developing, through technical training, a pool of skilled staff who can train others when they return home; offering a training of trainers modular course; and engaging LAC experts to co-teach the overseas workshops. Training expressly aimed at institution building will be offered upon request. ESAYTEC is expected to coordinate regional training in applied statistics and data processing and to help standardize technical procedures. The 1990 population censuses will provide a choice opportunity to achieve these ends. Countries surveyed for possible inclusion in the project include Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay. Brazil will be permitted to participate in ESAYTEC.