IISD has partnered with The United Way of Winnipeg to explore how to create a community indicators system for Winnipeg that would measure and report on progress in the quality of life of its citizens. Between 2003-2005, dozens of Winnipeggers have come to workshops and planning groups to consider the feasibility of such a system.
Agreement was reached that a Community Indicators System (CIS) should bring Winnipeggers together to:
identify the economic, environmental, cultural, social and other priorities and issues that matter most to them;
select the indicators that will measure change in their priorities over time;
build Winnipeggers' knowledge about progress toward the shared vision for community; and
stimulate collective action to achieve and sustain a high quality of life for current and future generations.
A Community Indicators System for Winnipeg: Working together to achieve and sustain a high quality of life for current and future generations (PDF - 897 kb) is a document that serves as an operating model and business plan for establishing and managing the system.
The operating model developed and adopted by the initiative emphasizes a continuous process for engaging Winnipeggers throughout the process.
This work builds on IISD's earlier research on City of Winnipeg Quality of Life Indicators. (PDF - 319 kb) For work underway by other organizations on community indicators, we suggest readers consult IISD's Compendium of Indicator Initiatives.
For more detailed information, contact IISD's Director of Measurement and Assessment, László Pintér.