Tunisia Data Literacy Programme was launched, on Monday, in Tunis, at the initiative of the World Bank Group's Poverty and Equity Global Practice (GP) in the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions (EFI) in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) of the United Kingdom. This program aims to sustainably transfer statistical skills to different groups of civil servants, media and academia, and proactively engage them in evidence-based actions, while strengthening Tunisia's national statistical system, according to the WB. It also aims to provide an online modular or on-site methodology for data management as well as share open and innovative resources and tools with participants, so that they can concretely integrate key data and statistics into specific government policies. Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Planning, in charge of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Samir Abdelhafidh, pointed out that "statistical informatio n is considered as a major source for the formulation of development policies and monitoring their implementation. It is also an essential reference for the various public and private actors when they make decision. Resident Representative of the World Bank in Tunisia, Alexandre Arrobbio, said that this programme will make it possible to train different users to use the data provided by the INS in a useful way. He indicated that the programme is part of national efforts which seek to innovate the Tunisian statistical system, already recognized as «very advanced» and «efficient». He added that the technical assistance to be provided by the UK's Office for National Statistics will help strengthen institutional capacities and produce modern data. Three workshops gathering government representatives, media professionals, academics and sector experts will be organized to help them consult, read and analyze official data and statistics. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse