Department of Statistics in St. Kitts-Nevis Celebrates Caribbean Statistics Day 2019 With An Open Day

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 15, 2019 (SKNIS): The 2019 edition of Caribbean Statistics Day in St. Kitts and Nevis was celebrated with an open day, aimed at promoting statistics and heightening the interest of the general public.

Carlton Phipps, Director of Statistics in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, noted that Caribbean Statistics Day is very important because it is a day set aside to celebrate the achievements of the Department of Statistics in a “very significant way.”

“This day is important to us because it is a day when we create a greater awareness of the activities of the department, taking a break from our regular schedule to promote, advertise and advocate for what we do in statistics,” said the director. “Notably, government has always been at the forefront of statistics, but statistics is not only important to government, but also to establishments – whether profit or non-profit organizations – and also to the general public in making sound decisions,” he added.

The director commented on the theme for this years’ Caribbean Statistics Day “Building Resilience of the Caribbean Community.”

“This theme is important, recognizing the importance of statistics to the development agenda of all member states. It facilitates evidence-based decision-making, which in turn promotes the sustainable growth in development of our country, our region and our people, and that is very important,” Mr. Phipps said.

St. Kitts and Nevis joins other Member States in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to celebrate this important day.

“I am particularly pleased that the Department of Statistics has decided to join with our counterparts in the Caribbean to celebrate this day,” said Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Elretha Simpson-Browne. “I am of the impression that most people believe that statistics just concerns government or businesses, so the awareness that we are trying to bring today is that statistics is for everybody. It helps us to make good decisions in our everyday life.”

PS Simpson-Browne and Director Phipps used the occasion to extend sincere thanks to the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and other regional and international development partners that have provided their support to the overall goals and accomplishments of the department.

The open day formed part of the week of activities organized by the Department of Statistics in observance of the 11^th Annual Caribbean Statistics Day. Other activities included an Advocacy and Communications Workshop, a church service, and presentation in schools.

The week continues with a presentation to the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) Student with the Best Results in Statistics on Friday, October 18 at CFBC, and a Staff Retreat on Friday, October 25 at the St. Kitts Credit Union Conference Room.