Speakers Bio & Abstract

Biography
Dr. Susanne Schnorr-Baecker is head of unit "Coordination, regional statistics, indicator systems" at the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. She studied law and economics and finished her studies with a PhD on regional simulation. As a member of several expert and working groups at national, European, supra- and international level she has in-depth-knowledge concerning the statistical monitoring of political strategies at macro and micro level.Abstract
Geospatial Data for Measuring economic growth - What can we learn from official statisticsThe financial and economic crisis of 2008 with its huge impact on the European Union has not yet been entirely overcome. Some countries perform better while others are struggling. Thus, economic growth and employment to create income and boost private consumption as well as firms' investments which in turn ensure future income remain major goals of economic and social policies. Even though growth and employment are generally accepted political aims and constitute elements of several initiatives worldwide nowadays, they are enbedded in the broader context of sustainability in all its facets. The United Nations' Sustainability Goals endorsed by the General Assembly in September 2015 are a key driver of related strategies at national and subnational level for all UN member states. Now, as the respective techniques are available and their usage is - at least in Germany - legally permitted, official statistics can present georeferenced data. The presentation will illustrate how regions contribute to overall growth, which regions are lacking behind, which shifts might happen in the future and what policy makers could learn from official statistical data for small areas. The analysis is not limited to economic growth; moreover, its impact on society and the environment in a more holistic manner towards quality of life can also be visualized and analyzed for small areas.