Public perceptions: a possible new dimension to the Inclusion Index?

The second and third technical consultations for the European Inclusion Index were held in Brussels on Thursday 7 December. With plans to enlarge the second edition of this landmark publication, the project's research partners met with a selected group of experts to debate the development of a new strand on public perceptions, and to consider the transferability of the Inclusion Index to new Member States.

Consultation 2

Participants discussed which source of information might provide the most suitable data on public perceptions for the Index, and heard a presentation from Professor Ian Preston of University College London, responsible for developing the integration module of the European Social Survey.

Other speakers included Dr Marcel Lubbers from Nijmegen University, co-author of the EUMC commissioned report 'Majorities attitudes towards minorities in Western and Eastern societies, results from the European social survey 2002-2003'. Daphne Ahrendt, of TNS-Opinion, and Professor Jaak Billiet, of KuLeuven, made interventions on the Eurobarometer and European Values Survey respectively.

While indicators on public perceptions would add an exciting new dimension to the Inclusion Index, project partners acknowledged that there are risks in incorporating such information, and will be mindful to address the challenges that it presents. 

Consultation 3

The afternoon was devoted to discussing the expansion of the Inclusion Index to New Member States. In order to safeguard the comparability of the Index over time, no changes will be made to the Index for the new Member States specifically. Partners held preliminary discussions on dissemination and promotion in new Member States.

Coming next...

Additional technical consultations, planned for February and June 2007, will involve the scientific committee, the country experts and the project participants in a detailed review of the full set of indicators. more info