Social reporting and monitoring policies

Social reporting is intended to provide systematic and regular information on social structures and processes which underlie Swiss life. In general, regional, national and international comparisons are of special interest, along with evaluation. In turn, such information allows us to monitor developments (e.g. convergence or divergence), and to define preconditions for and consequences of (social) policies. Such analyses and relevant indicators are useful tools for informing policy makers about the main processes operating in their field of responsibility. This requires a dialogue and it is for this reason that we have organised this symposium to discuss the needs for and the use of social statistics.