Community Indicator System

Community Indicators System

How can citizens improve quality of life within their community?
We think that the basis for positive change requires:

• access to relevant accurate and trusted quantitative data on the community from a variety of sources

• ability to collect and integrate qualitative information, in particular personal stories that highlight community values, successes, and actions that contribute to positive improvements

• first class analysis and interpretation tools that meaningfully illustrate the state and trends occurring within the community

• broad dissemination of well-communicated information

• broad community involvement and dialogue

What does that all add up to? In short, fact-based policy and decision-making that is well-informed.

• For civic government it enhances transparency and accountability and pushes democracy to perform at its best.

• For public service organizations, it means creating initiatives and putting dollars where they can help the most.

• For citizens in general, it means being a part of the process on an ongoing basis.

• for communities as a whole, it allows for comparative analysis and a chance to learn from experience and best practice from others.

The Community Indicators System is...

• a web-based data portal that utilizes new technologies and international expertise to help communities assess and meet the needs of the citizens

• the first system to incorporate the collection and dissemination of personal stories integrated with publicly available quantitative information such as census data.

• semantic analysis of a story collection to deliver qualitative information on such things as community values and issues integrated with quantitative information.

• a system that uses highly sophisticated dynamic graphic imagery to communicate the on-going changes within a community

• a technology and methodology collaboration between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (CA), StoryGarden (CA), Cognitive Edge Pty. (UK), Structured Dynamics (USA), the United Way of Winnipeg, City of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, and various academic researchers