The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is pleased to announce the introduction of community surveys as part of its Active Citizens Bahamas (ACB) campaign to encourage and empower Bahamians to have a positive impact in their communities. 

These surveys aim to provide citizens with a platform to express their opinions and contribute valuable input to decision-makers and influencers regarding local community development. The initial series of short and impactful surveys will focus on gathering perspectives from residents of New Providence and the Family Islands on the most pressing issues they face in their day-to-day lives and how they should be involved in addressing these.

Steffon Evans, ORG’s Assistant Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the community surveys.

"The community surveys are an extension of our ongoing Active Citizens campaign, which has prioritized in-person engagement with Bahamians across seven islands, facilitating discussions on the unique needs of their communities and exploring ways for everyday citizens to contribute to sustainable development. 

“The insights gained so far from the Active Citizens sessions have been truly enlightening, but we cannot physically reach everyone everywhere. Our surveys provide a means to expand our reach and gain additional perspectives," he said.

Mr. Evans continued, “Making sure the voices of everyday citizens are included in developing solutions for the challenges of The Bahamas is critically important. When citizens feel their ideas and opinions matter, they are more likely to take responsibility in their communities and get involved in efforts to improve our country, whether it be reducing crime, improving education, or taking care of our environment. "

According to the United Nations, responsiveness, participation, and consensus are crucial elements of good governance, with community surveys playing a vital role in understanding the specific needs of a country's communities and addressing these in a timely manner. Given the archipelagic nature of The Bahamas, regular community surveys can serve as a valuable tool for Bahamian decision-makers, enabling them to gather information that accurately reflects the views and needs of the citizens.

Matthew Aubry, ORG’s Executive Director, acknowledged the challenges associated with conducting surveys in the post-COVID Bahamian context but highlighted their effectiveness when used consistently in conjunction with other forms of public consultation. 

"These surveys build upon our previous successful initiatives at ORG and align with our commitment to promoting best practices in public consultation, which include regular community meetings, online forums, green papers, and other forms of dialogue,” he said.

The first survey of the three-part series is now available on ORG's official website at www.orgbahamas.com/communitysurvey. Subsequent surveys will be released every two weeks. ORG encourages members of the public to visit the website and participate in these surveys, thereby making their voices heard and contributing to the development of their communities.