21 June 2018 - More than 400 experts representing international organizations, government institutions, national statistical offices and academia from 35 countries gathered in Lima, Peru recently to discuss ways to modernize crime and criminal justice statistical systems.
Organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and hosted by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) of Peru, the three-day event focused on emerging methodologies to measure crime.
During the conference, experts sought to address questions about quantifying violence against women, measuring transnational organized crime in Africa, estimating the size of the illicit drug markets, and creating information systems that can help address wildlife trafficking. Also on the agenda were frameworks to measure corruption and better collection of data on violence against children, as well as the potential link between cryptocurrency and money laundering.
"Presentations and discussions inspired us all," said Angela Me, Chief of UNODC's Research and Trend Analysis Branch, speaking at the event. "They generated innovative ideas for new methodology and research angles to support effective policies on crime and criminal justice."
Participants held dialogues on strengthening international comparability of data and the analysis and formulation of public policies. The discussions also focused on better monitoring of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and the indicators related to crime, corruption, violence, access to justice and the rule of law.
The event, among other things, aimed at raising awareness on the importance of reliable, timely and accurate data on governance, crime and justice.
The event was co-organised by the UNODC-INEGI Center of Excellence in Statistical Information on Government, Crime, Victimization and Justice. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Infosegura Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OSCE) were among the partners.
The Center of Excellence for Statistical Information on Government, Crime, Victimization and Justice