BVI Census 2010
Posted by David Karlson
Guest Speaker Raymond Phillips - Director of Planning Unit - Speaks on BVI Census 2010
The Virgin Islands, the records indicate, has been conducting censuses from as far back as the 1700's says Mr. Raymond Phillips-Director of Planning Development Unit. According to Mr. Phillips the population has grown from a mere 1,300 back then to an estimated 30,000 now. Mr. Phillips advise that it is very important to know the size of the population if adequate infrastructure and essential services, such as health and education, are to be made available appropriately. However, planning for the population goes well beyond the mere knowledge of its magnitude, he advised.
Rotarians and guests found the information relayed to be very interesting. According to the brief message, the census addresses a host of characteristics and is divided into two major parts - namely household and persons. The household part is divided into five sections: 1.Housing, 2. Emigration, 3. Environment, 4. Crime, and 5. Other. Mr. Phillips then elaborated on each category of the characteristics, providing questions. The housing section considers the status of the housing stock. When were the houses built and from what material? What proportion lives in apartments and do we insure our homes and their contents? How do we dispose of garbage and what is our main source of drinking water. Do pit latrines still exist and what is the main source of lighting? Are the houses overcrowded? One can see clearly where the living conditions of households can be uncovered by these questions. Are policies needed to address undesirable conditions, were some of the questions Mr. Phillips highlighted.
Mr. Phillips then went on to look at the amenities utilized by households ranging from the simple radio to the more technologically advance IPod, Blu-ray player and Flat screen Television. Mr. Phillips stated that this question to some extent indicates the level of affluence of the households may have attained.
Rotarians and guests were keen on seeking information pertaining to emigration which seeks to unveil why in the last ten years Virgin Islanders choose to be abroad. Is it for employment or education opportunities? The extent to which the country is being brain drained or preferably brain gained can be determined here to some degree said Mr. Phillips. Mr. Phillips then informed all Rotarians and guests that the environment is a new section to the census and is concerned with environmental issues ranging from dust to sewerage which might negatively affect households. Needless to say, there are health implications. Such information might suggest the consideration of zoning laws.
Section 4, looks at the crimes against members of the households, he went on to state. Questions such as if there were crimes, were they reported? If not, what are the reasons crimes were not reported? Do we have faith in the Justice System? he said. The last section tries to capture the degree of homelessness in the country. This also represents a new section in the census.
Mr. Phillips then informed Rotarians and guest about the second characteristic of the census. Persons part is broken down into 12 sections he stated. Section 1 looks at the personal characteristics of the individuals in the household. Demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity and religious affiliation is covered. Is there an increased incidence of and specific ethnic or religious group and what does this mean for our Cultural heritage, he said. Section 2 asks questions on marital and union status. Section 3, is concerned with where residents were born and their place of residence in the country. Mr. Phillips informed Rotarians and guests new to the census consider citizenship. What is the legal status of each person residing here? At what rate is this privilege being bestowed? Section 5 seeks to ascertain the level of disability in the country. Mr. Phillips explained, here it would be uncovered if intervention is needed to facilitate persons with specific disabilities. Should a new facility be considered to accommodate the afflicted? Could there be a business opportunity here? The next section touches on the issue of morbidity and health insurance. Is there a prevalence of any specific illness that is of concern that might merit closer attention? Are there any specific communities where there is an acceptable prevalence of any illness? What is the root cause?
Education was then addressed in the next section. Questions such as what is the adult literacy rate? What is our degree per capital, gives an indication of the quality of our adult population. Section 8 speaks to the situation as it relates to further training. Has persons embarked on specialized training to satisfy certain labour demands. Section 9 looks at economic activity. Who is employed and where? What are the occupations of household members and in what industries are they concentrated? Do they work full time or part time? What is our unemployment rate? Who bears the brunt of providing employment, public or private sector? Can the private sector do more, the director of planning unit Mr. Phillips asked.
In what income range do persons fall? Do members of the households have other sources of livelihood? This last question would indicate the extent to which remittances filter into the Virgin Islands. It is a common belief that remittances only flow the other way. Section 10 endeavors to uncover the degree of internet access and the extent to which we use this technological phenomenon. Mr. Phillip said, this section takes on special significance as it can reveal the effects internet usage in the Virgin Islands has on small businesses, libraries and newspapers, among other things. The section on Fertility just looks at the number of children born to adult females and how many are still alive. The last section simply asks where members spent census night.
The director stated all these characteristics on both the households and persons are collected by geographical area. "Therefore, it would be easy to isolate any issue in any community that requires attention" he said. Therefore, intervention that might become necessary can be specifically targeted thereby yielding in more efficient and effective results.
In closing the Director of Planning Unit Mr. Phillips explained to the Rotarians and guests, "The conduct of the census has but one objective. To provide information to all stakeholders which would be used to inform decisions which are in the best interest of all who call these beautiful Virgin Islands their home. The results form the basis for population projections which allows for proactive policy formulation: the more complete and accurate the information, the more efficient and effective the policy. Our slogan for Census 2010 is "Development is our focus, participate in the 2010 Census".
Rotarians and guests found the information relayed to be very interesting. According to the brief message, the census addresses a host of characteristics and is divided into two major parts - namely household and persons. The household part is divided into five sections: 1.Housing, 2. Emigration, 3. Environment, 4. Crime, and 5. Other. Mr. Phillips then elaborated on each category of the characteristics, providing questions. The housing section considers the status of the housing stock. When were the houses built and from what material? What proportion lives in apartments and do we insure our homes and their contents? How do we dispose of garbage and what is our main source of drinking water. Do pit latrines still exist and what is the main source of lighting? Are the houses overcrowded? One can see clearly where the living conditions of households can be uncovered by these questions. Are policies needed to address undesirable conditions, were some of the questions Mr. Phillips highlighted.
Mr. Phillips then went on to look at the amenities utilized by households ranging from the simple radio to the more technologically advance IPod, Blu-ray player and Flat screen Television. Mr. Phillips stated that this question to some extent indicates the level of affluence of the households may have attained.
Rotarians and guests were keen on seeking information pertaining to emigration which seeks to unveil why in the last ten years Virgin Islanders choose to be abroad. Is it for employment or education opportunities? The extent to which the country is being brain drained or preferably brain gained can be determined here to some degree said Mr. Phillips. Mr. Phillips then informed all Rotarians and guests that the environment is a new section to the census and is concerned with environmental issues ranging from dust to sewerage which might negatively affect households. Needless to say, there are health implications. Such information might suggest the consideration of zoning laws.
Section 4, looks at the crimes against members of the households, he went on to state. Questions such as if there were crimes, were they reported? If not, what are the reasons crimes were not reported? Do we have faith in the Justice System? he said. The last section tries to capture the degree of homelessness in the country. This also represents a new section in the census.
Mr. Phillips then informed Rotarians and guest about the second characteristic of the census. Persons part is broken down into 12 sections he stated. Section 1 looks at the personal characteristics of the individuals in the household. Demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity and religious affiliation is covered. Is there an increased incidence of and specific ethnic or religious group and what does this mean for our Cultural heritage, he said. Section 2 asks questions on marital and union status. Section 3, is concerned with where residents were born and their place of residence in the country. Mr. Phillips informed Rotarians and guests new to the census consider citizenship. What is the legal status of each person residing here? At what rate is this privilege being bestowed? Section 5 seeks to ascertain the level of disability in the country. Mr. Phillips explained, here it would be uncovered if intervention is needed to facilitate persons with specific disabilities. Should a new facility be considered to accommodate the afflicted? Could there be a business opportunity here? The next section touches on the issue of morbidity and health insurance. Is there a prevalence of any specific illness that is of concern that might merit closer attention? Are there any specific communities where there is an acceptable prevalence of any illness? What is the root cause?
Education was then addressed in the next section. Questions such as what is the adult literacy rate? What is our degree per capital, gives an indication of the quality of our adult population. Section 8 speaks to the situation as it relates to further training. Has persons embarked on specialized training to satisfy certain labour demands. Section 9 looks at economic activity. Who is employed and where? What are the occupations of household members and in what industries are they concentrated? Do they work full time or part time? What is our unemployment rate? Who bears the brunt of providing employment, public or private sector? Can the private sector do more, the director of planning unit Mr. Phillips asked.
In what income range do persons fall? Do members of the households have other sources of livelihood? This last question would indicate the extent to which remittances filter into the Virgin Islands. It is a common belief that remittances only flow the other way. Section 10 endeavors to uncover the degree of internet access and the extent to which we use this technological phenomenon. Mr. Phillip said, this section takes on special significance as it can reveal the effects internet usage in the Virgin Islands has on small businesses, libraries and newspapers, among other things. The section on Fertility just looks at the number of children born to adult females and how many are still alive. The last section simply asks where members spent census night.
The director stated all these characteristics on both the households and persons are collected by geographical area. "Therefore, it would be easy to isolate any issue in any community that requires attention" he said. Therefore, intervention that might become necessary can be specifically targeted thereby yielding in more efficient and effective results.
In closing the Director of Planning Unit Mr. Phillips explained to the Rotarians and guests, "The conduct of the census has but one objective. To provide information to all stakeholders which would be used to inform decisions which are in the best interest of all who call these beautiful Virgin Islands their home. The results form the basis for population projections which allows for proactive policy formulation: the more complete and accurate the information, the more efficient and effective the policy. Our slogan for Census 2010 is "Development is our focus, participate in the 2010 Census".