Forum on Impartial Polling for Developing Citizen-Responsive Democratic Governance

On October 9, a conclusive forum on Impartial Polling for Developing Citizen-Responsive Democratic Governance in Georgia, organized with the joint efforts of Ilia State University (ISU) and USAID and the technical assistance of USAID/HICD 2020, was held.

The forum served to promote non-partisan opinion polling. Participating organizations adopted a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

Participants of the discussion included ISU Rector Giga Zedania, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly C. Degnan, UK Deputy Head of Mission Claire Allbless, USAID Georgia representatives, former president of AAPOR and WAPOR, Prof. Michael Traugott and former president of AAPOR, Prof. Peter Miller, polling organizations, researchers and professors.

Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan gave opening remarks at the closing session of the forum. She congratulated the participating organizations on their new Code of Ethics. The code will guide their work, help them build public trust in the credibility of polling, and strengthen their ability to respond to unfair criticism.