Ashgabat, 1 June 2009 – On 25-30 May 2009, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkmenistan and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan conducted training for national specialists of Information Technologies Departments on the development of application for census data in-taking and processing, which has been organized within the joint Census Programme of UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan. The training was facilitated by Mr. Guido Pierachini, UNFPA international expert who used practical exercises to make the course interactive, informative and enjoyable.  

The course has a hand on the job approach focusing on the current Census Questionnaires. It is designed to provide participants with the skills required to create and modify census data dictionaries, data entry screens, apply basic logics to manage the data entry patterns. The training also includes a final section in which different approaches to the data processing strategy are illustrated and the differences between CSPro and CSProX underlined. 

The process of data collection, analysis and dissemination is an important component of the Government’s development agenda since information about country's population, growth, characteristics, living conditions, spatial distribution and physical resources is vital for policy formulation, planning and implementation.  UNFPA, as a part of the United Nations Agencies in Turkmenistan, places high importance on the use of population data for policies and programmes development.  

“We are facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technical expertise for censuses” commented Mr. Guido Pierachini. “The use of applications for data in-taking and processing can cut operation time down from up to a year to four-five months and reduce the margin of error”.   

“There are many challenges in preparing and carrying out a census” said Ms. Jennet Appova, UNFPA Assistant Representative, “but in no way do they overshadow the fundamental value of accurate and timely data for development.” “Often, good planning, such as a timely decision on the dates of the Census, early preparatory activities and the mobilization of financial and human resources, can minimize difficulties and constraints. We, at UNFPA, have learned over the years that unless sufficient resources are available at each stage of the census, the quality and value of the entire census can be jeopardized.”  

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect. 

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