Metadata is a vital component of any statistical system. Over the last decade, national and international statistical organizations have attended work sessions, sharing their knowledge and experience in developing and maintaining statistical metadata systems.
The need for a common metadata framework has emerged from these discussions. To coordinate this work, the UNECE established a Task Force in 2004, under the governance of the Conference of European Statisticians. The task force's purpose is to organize the vast pool of information about statistical metadata into a common framework for use by international and national statistical organizations.
The Common Metadata Framework, published online, is divided into four parts:
Each part concentrates on different practical and theoretical aspects of statistical metadata systems, vital knowledge for any person working with statistical metadata.
Are you involved in a metadata project in a statistical organization? Join our email list to particpate and observe discussion on topics relevant to your work.
To join this private discussion list, email jessica.gardner@unece.org with the subject 'Join METIS list' with your name, job title and organization in the body of the message. Members are able to send messages to other members on the list, a useful tool for participating in, or observing, discussion about statistical metadata. Information on how to use the list will be sent to you.
Members of the list can email the group at metis@lists.unece.org. There is an online archive of past messages.
Together with the OECD and Eurostat, the UNECE organizes a work session on statistical metadata every two years.
These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for national and international statistical organizations to present and discuss the important work happening in this field.
The next METIS meeting is expected to be held in early 2008. Papers and presentations from past meetings are available here.