USAID, Ilia State University to Launch Public Opinion Polling Forum
On July 17, USAID/Georgia and Ilia State University will jointly launch “Impartial Polling for Developing CitizenResponsive Democratic Governance in Georgia,” a forum for raising awareness of non-partisan public opinion polling as a key component of Georgia’s democratic development.
The event will be held at 17:00 at Ilia State University, Kakutsa Cholokashvili Avenue 3/5.
The launch event will feature remarks from US Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan, UK Deputy Head of Mission Claire Allbless, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze, and Ilia State University Rector Giga Zedania.
The opening remarks will be followed by presentations and a panel discussion with representatives of leading international and Georgian polling organizations.
Members of the media are invited to interview speakers prior to the main event.
Bringing together five distinguished Georgian polling organizations – Analysis and Consulting Team (ACT), Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC), Georgian Opinion Research Business International (GORBI), Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA), and IPM Research – the forum will launch a community of practice to facilitate experience sharing among non-partisan opinion polling organizations, establish Georgian polling standards and a Code of Ethics, and strengthen stakeholder understanding of public opinion polling and its contribution to citizen-responsive democratic governance.
The forum is implemented by USAID’s Human and Institutional Capacity Development 2020 Activity (HICD 2020) and will complement USAID’s Elections and Political Processes program, the US Government’s primary electoral and political development assistance initiative for Georgia’s 2020 and 2021 electoral cycles and beyond.
As the US Government’s lead development agency, USAID supports Georgia to build the capacity to finance, plan, and implement its own solutions to development challenges. USAID has worked in Georgia since 1992, supporting the country’s transformation into a developing democracy that is increasingly integrated into Western political, security, and economic institutions. More than 30 USAID programs stimulate inclusive economic growth, develop democratic governance, enhance energy security, and foster social inclusion.