Finance Minister Hon. Marco Archer will open the Cayman Islands’ first-ever statistics fair at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) auditorium, on Thursday, 24 October 2013 at 9.30 am.

Inviting the public to attend the day-long fair, Mr. Archer says, “As part of the Cayman Islands’ celebrations of International Year of Statistics 2013, this unique event will seek to reach persons of all ages, especially students. As a former career statistician, with a life-long interest in statistics, I recognise the impact which data that is scientifically gathered can have on our everyday lives.”

A means through which this impact is achieved, the Minister explains, is when governments use statistics to tailor policies, programmes and services.

“I am especially delighted that 11 government entities, led by the Economics and Statistics Office (ESO), are participating in the fair. I believe this will impart a better understanding about how statistics shape the everyday provision of service to our people,” Mr. Archer adds.

The theme of the fair is “Statistics for Everyday life: Let us Educate and Appreciate”. Besides ESO, participating departments are Children and Family Services, Education, Environment, Environmental Health, Immigration, Lands and Survey, Planning and Sports as well as the Health Services Authority and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.

Mr. Archer thanks UCCI, and notably President Roy Bodden, for providing the venue. Mr. Bodden will also speak at the opening ceremony, along with Economics and Statistics Office Director Maria Zingapan.

Fair Coordinator Shanna Saunders-Best states that the public can expect to see presented in a number of interesting ways a comprehensive set of statistics that relate to all aspects of life in the Cayman Islands including food, housing, education, disease risks, healthcare, natural resources, environmental health, foreign trade, property development, immigration, peace and order.

In addition to a number of interactive exercises that show statistics at work, there will also be special prizes, random drawings, sports statistics demonstrations and television interviews, Ms Saunders-Best says.

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Finance Minister Hon. Marco Archer will open the Cayman Islands’ first Statistics Fair on Thursday, 24 October at 9.30 am.

WHO:               Finance Minister Hon. Marco Archer

WHAT:            Opening of Cayman Statistics Fair 2013

WHEN:            Thursday, 24 October 2013, 9:30 am

WHERE:          Sir Vassell Johnson Auditorium, University College of the Cayman Islands

PARTICIPANTS:         UCCI President Roy Bodden, ESO Director Maria Zingapan, representatives from 11 government entities, government officials, students, general public

Background:  The first-ever fair is the main event in Cayman Islands’ celebration of the International Year of Statistics 2013. The year being globally observed by over 2,000 organisations marks statistics’ contribution to the success and progress of countries.