The case for investing in and strengthening CRVS systems

A strong civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system is foundational for sustainable development. It provides population data in real time to help policymakers plan and deliver services more efficiently – particularly to vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. The data generated by a CRVS system can also be used to track progress towards 12 of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The Centre of Excellence supports global efforts to strengthen CRVS systems by:

• Supporting research into the costs and benefits of strengthening CRVS systems
• Helping to implement the global CRVS scaling up investment plan (http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/health/publication/global-civil-registration-vital-statistics-scaling-up-investment) as a member of the Global CRVS Group
• Convening global and regional events to promote CRVS systems strengthening and bring attention to critical issues, such as the gender dimensions of CRVS systems
• Facilitating access to expertise and information, such as global CRVS standards and good practice
• Offering technical assistance to countries looking to strengthen their CRVS system

Learn more about our mandate (https://crvssystems.ca/about-us) and our services (https://crvssystems.ca/our-services).

Videos

• Better data for a better world (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l_CkWnoLS4&list=PLhhb-JA5bQ7PZCkgCzc2n-1GcaPLF4lyR&index=1&t=1s) – Details why well-functioning CRVS systems are important for ensuring legal identity for all and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Boundless potential (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WutHOj4RbhQ&list=PLhhb-JA5bQ7PZCkgCzc2n-1GcaPLF4lyR&index=2) – Explains how gender equality is linked to well-functioning CRVS systems
• What if you didn’t have a birth certificate? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vog-cPvdlPM&list=PLhhb-JA5bQ7PZCkgCzc2n-1GcaPLF4lyR&index=3&t=2s) – Demonstrates the importance of a birth certificate to accessing rights and services
• Legal identity for all (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3te5i0nDFKc&list=PLhhb-JA5bQ7PZCkgCzc2n-1GcaPLF4lyR&index=4&t=1s) – Showcases how legal identity can empower individuals and foster sustainable development
• CRVS systems protect human rights and empower the vulnerable (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7d72zScaag&list=PLhhb-JA5bQ7PZCkgCzc2n-1GcaPLF4lyR&index=5) – Explains how CRVS systems can protect human rights and support inclusive development
• Expert talks series (https://crvssystems.ca/expert-talks) – Hear from experts on how to improve CRVS systems and gain insight from their case studies  

Articles and blog posts

• Why CRVS systems are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (https://crvssystems.ca/blog/why-crvs-systems-are-essential-achieving-sustainable-development-goals)
• Four ways CRVS systems can support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (https://crvssystems.ca/blog/four-ways-crvs-systems-can-support-un-sustainable-development-goals)
• How civil registration can protect and empower women and girls (https://crvssystems.ca/blog/how-civil-registration-can-protect-and-empower-women-and-girls)
• Closing the evidence gap in the economic and social benefits of CRVS systems: A systematic review (https://crvssystems.ca/sites/default/files/assets/images/Issue4_Benefits_e_WEB.pdf)