Open Data - Experiences from a National Statistical Office’s Point of View

1. Open Data - Experiences from a National
Statistical Office’s Point of View
Heli Mikkelä
Nordisk statistkermøte, Bergen 14.−17. august 2013

2. Contents
 Free, open and public vs. statistical data
 Statistics Finland – some steps with open data
 Apps4Finland - experiences
 How does this all relate to communication on quality?
30 July 2013 2Information services / Heli Mikkelä

3. Open data
 Reuse and Redistribution – e.g., licensing and terms of
use
 Universal Participation – e.g., no restrictions for
commercial use
 Availability and Access – e.g., machine readability
 Altogether 11 criteria
Open Knowledge foundation http://okfn.org/opendata/
30 July 2013 3Information services / Heli Mikkelä

4. Statistics Finland – some steps with open data
 Scope: (mainly) aggregated statistical data
 Amendment of terms of use; new license in January 2012
 Technical interfaces
 Active participation in networks and cooperation
 Extension of data supply
 StatFin database
 Regional service database Altika
 Inspire => first set of geographical information
(Mapwindow by National Land and Survey)
30 July 2013 4Information services / Heli Mikkelä

5. Apps4Finland
 In 2012, one of the key partners
 Stats4Finland special prize
 Workshops
 Active networking
 What did we gain? – Networking with various stakeholders,
feedback, new users, positive image, visibility, ideas,
potential partnerships….
 In 2013, Statistics Finland is onboard again
30 July 2013 5Information services / Heli Mikkelä

6. And how does this all relate to the communication
on quality? 1
 Importance of standardised production methods, uniform
classifications, terms and definitions
 Role of metadata
 Do we communicate sufficiently about these?
 Statistical literacy
 Technical interfaces, APIs, new communication channels
and media
 Plenty to be done; cooperation and division of labour?
30 July 2013 6Information services / Heli Mikkelä

7. And how does this all relate to the communication
on quality? 2
 The role of statistical offices
 What is our core business?
 Questions about financing, competencies
 Interaction with the stakeholders
 Users, partners, financers, customers….
 Interfaces, contacts, projects, joint activities, visibility
30 July 2013 7Information services / Heli Mikkelä
Do we take an outsiders or insiders perspective
to open data and big data?

8. Thank you
for your interest!
30 July 2013 8Information services / Heli Mikkelä