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The INTOSAI Working Group on Key National Indicators

Draft Principles for SAIs application Draft Principles for SAIs application of KNIof KNI

The 3rd MeetingApril 7-8, 2010, Astana

Introduction to the principles

Each country is confronted with various socio-economic problems at

different times in their development. INTOSAI recognize that each

country’s development goal requires individual designed KNI.

A development strategy implicates also risks which have to be

reflected in selection and development of KNI.

These principles are generic which means that they are applicable

on different conceptions and models of progress, well-being,

sustainability etc. The character of being nonspecific and general is

important because each individual country has different socio-

economic problems to solve depending on the political stipulated

preferences by the legislative power.2

Principles

Prerequisite

1. SAI use of KNI has to be within the mandate and respecting

the independence of SAI.

1.1 Participation in the construction of KNI is not in accordance

with the SAI prerequisite of independence

2.  A precondition for SAI to use KNI in the audit is that the SAI’s

staff has professional knowledge and experience within the field

of both the policy area and the methodological questions

concerning KNI3

Principles

Context

3.  The SAI has to emphasise the aspect of accountability when

evaluating and using KNI in the audit

3.1 SAI has to call attention to the value of disclosure and

transparency of all aspects in connection with KNI

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Principles

Function

4. KNI is an instrument for SAI to analyse the implication of

public policies

5. SAI has to evaluate the validity and reliability of the KNI used

by government

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Principles

Requirements

6. SAI has to evaluate the disclosure of methods and

calculations of KNI in order to secure transparency of the KNI in

use

7. When working with KNI the SAI institutions has to use general

accepted scientific method within discipline such as economy,

statistics and social science

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Principles

Methods

8. When SAI is using KNI to analyse the implication of public policies

the selected KNI has to be material in relation to the issue

8.1 SAI has to evaluate the set of KNI set up for illustrating the

progress of the approved policy

8.2 SAI has to evaluate the capability of the stipulated KNI – system to

make international comparisons

9.  When evaluating exiting KNI in use by government the SAI has to

evaluate to which extent there is a risk for not measuring the right issue

in question 7

Principles

Communication

10. SAI should evaluate that government the communication of

KNI is carried out in compliance with the general principles for

public statistical information’s

10.1 When an audit of KNI reveals weaknesses the SAI

institution has to present its findings in such a way that it creates

opportunities for the responsible to improve the KNI system

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Principles

Explicatory notes to the principles including best practice

 

Ad prerequisite

.......

Ad communication

 

Cases which illustrates the principles

 

Case 1

Case n

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Thank you!