SIAP conducted a country course on MDG indicators in Palau with financial  assistance with ADB to promote use of administrative data sources for statistical purposes, in particular compiling MDGs related indicators and use them for monitoring progress in achieving the Goals.

The course was designed principally for statisticians involved in the compilation of indicators for monitoring MDGs, particularly those related to education, health and vital statistics. Course topics included: Introduction to Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Targets and Indicators; Use of standard definitions and Classifications relating to MDG indicators; MDG indicators compilation and Hands on exercises using country administrative data; MDG Reporting by countries; Use of Administrative Data Systems on Education, Health and Vital Registration for policy making and Group Work on strategies for improving administrative data (Education, Health and Vital Registration). The course also covered Use of Dev Info (user module) for disseminating MDG indicators.           

The course was conducted for 5 working days. In total there were nearly 30 participants attended and completed the course.  Representatives from the ministries of Finance, Health, Education, Communication, Tourism, Environment and Rural Development and Palau Community College attended the course. Participants showed keen interest in acquiring knowledge on the subject and improving their statistical literacy. The Vice president and Finance Minister Mr. Kerai Mariur, inaugurated the course and emphasized the relevance and importance of MDGs to the country’s development. It was his first day in office as the Minister in the new administration. It was very encouraging for the participants in their deliberations.
           
The course was conducted at the Customs premises in Koror where sufficient facilities were available and Personal Computer facilities for all participants were provided.
SIAP faculty member and ADB Statistician delivered the lectures  assisted by two local resource persons, Mr. Dennis Oiluich, Head of Statistics in Office of Planning and Statistics (OPS) and the ADB National  Consultant Mr. Rinehart.
The participants’ evaluation and speeches in the closing ceremony indicated that all the participants had gained good knowledge from the course. ADB showed a keen interest in involving SIAP for capacity building programmes undertaken by them. This was the final course jointly conducted by SIAP and ADB under ADB RETA 6356 project.