Top research and civil society associations dispatch open letter to plea for the establishment of an extraordinary multi-disciplinary expert group
Amsterdam, 19 July, 2016
ESOMAR – the world association for market, social and opinion research, together with 8 associations representing civil society and research, has dispatched an open letter calling on the European Union (EU) institutions to redouble efforts towards more citizen-centric and evidence-based policy- using opinion and social research to assess and evaluate possible future scenarios after the Brexit referendum.
“In order to support and guide any upcoming negotiations with the UK and future EU decision-making process, it is now more critical than ever before to conduct extensive research into the will, and aspirations of the European electorate,” highlights Finn Raben, Director General of ESOMAR, author of the open letter.
The letter highlights the importance of establishing a true and comprehensive understanding of citizen needs and aspirations both in the United Kingdom and the rest of the EU and underlines the role that research can play in uncovering how to better communicate with constituencies about the complex and long-term issues facing Europe. The signatories are calling the European institutions to take these following steps:
- Establish a cross-party and multi-disciplinary expert group composed of academics, experts from research and civil society organisations, and representatives of the EU institutions, to consider the implications of the referendum.
- Issue a call for tender to conduct comprehensive and wide-ranging social research by researchers that abide to the principles of accepted codes of conduct governing market, opinion, and social research.
- Work with the expert group to evaluate and build possible strategies to follow through on the referendum, and even, to formulate possible negotiation strategies (for both sides) on implementing Brexit.
“This initiative, supported by 9 associations, underlines the broad support from both the research community and European civil society to understand more systemically why Europe is failing to inspire its citizenry, what it needs to do to reconnect with all its constituencies. We have to go beyond business as usual and only Brussels can take that first step to position research to help it tackle that disillusion,” adds Kim Smouter, Head of Public Affairs and Professional Standards at ESOMAR.
The open letter is to be supported by a #CitizensFirst social media campaign, individuals and organisations wishing to support the key recommendations of the Open letter can formally register their support by visiting ESOMAR’s website where the open letter and a form to register support has been set-up. The webpage is located at: http://www.esomar.org/citizensfirst.
ESOMAR is the world association for encouraging, advancing and elevating market research worldwide.
CO-SIGNATORIES ASSOCIATIONS:
WAPOR – World Association For Public Opinion Research
SYNTEC Etudes – Le syndicat représentatif des professionnels des études en France
SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS:
CEV – European Volunteer Centre
ECAS – European Citizen Action Service
EFC – European Foundation Centre
ENNA – European Network of National Civil Society Associations
FEDRA – Federation of Regional Growth Actors in Europe
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3 comments
Lest this initiative be misunderstood, our intent is not to protest the British decision to vote to leave the European Union nor is it to seek to reverse that democratic decision. Let us be clear that ESOMAR is neither pro- nor anti- Brexit. This letter is intended to highlight the need for regular research into citizen feedback. ESOMAR is pro-research and wants this letter to serve as a reminder to politicians of the value of market, opinion and social research can bring to them and help them in charting the decisions that may need to be taken because of [any] referendum result.
We are passionate about defending and showcasing the role that research can play in providing guidance to solving issues and challenges throughout the world. Whilst this initiative is focussed on a major political development in Europe – which comprises 3 of the top 5 markets globally – we work every day in partnership with national associations to promote the application of market, opinion and social research in decision-making by all governments of the world.
ESOMAR is sensitive to the need for market, opinion, and social researchers to behave ethically and follow the highest of professional standards, that is why the ICC/ESOMAR Code exists and why we have a disciplinary process in place where any member of the public or the profession can signal practices that they consider to breach our ICC/ESOMAR Code. On the basis of any evidenced complaint that is sent to us, ESOMAR – and our partner associations that have adopted the ICC/ESOMAR Code – will investigate and prosecute where appropriate every such case. Rest assured that there is no hesitation by ESOMAR in applying the full force of our Code should we find that members who have signed up to the ICC/ESOMAR Code have failed to meet their obligations.
Wasn’t ESOMAR earlier called European society for…
Perhaps its time to revert back to your earlier name as concerns of Europe dominate & preoccupy the world body more than anything. Its as white as white gets. I mean even your Asia-Pacific regional rep has been white for a long time.
I can relate to your enthusiasm to influence and even reverse BREXIT but unless you do more internationally than mere propaganda and conferences, its better to revert to European in ESOMAR than call yourself an essential/ worldwide body.
Bonne Chance!!
I find this rather odd – this is absolutely no business of the ESOMAR, its a political event, and a consensus has emerged and needs to be respected. And in as much as you reserve your right to protest against the decision, it should have been done personally or as an activist group not under the aegis of the ESOMAR umbrella.
There are enough abuses of market research in the rest of the world which despite being a self-appointed body that has set guidelines and recommendations, has little teeth or perhaps it simply doesn’t care. Under the guise of market research individual rights have been abused, scams take place (remember asia-research.com where people had to pay to take surveys and recruit more – a Ponzi scheme?). MR firms across Asia (especially India and Indonesia) use clandestine video recording for mystery shopping that is a complete abuse of both customer and employee privileges, as employees could get fired after being identified. In a lot more instances when social and political rights are abused ESOMAR could have come to the fore and taken a stance. How hard is that, because its really rare to see any instance of this. Indeed THESE instances are when ESOMAR needs to show its teeth!!
Its both rich and a little ironical that ESOMAR now wakes up when something like BREXIT is likely to affect it in HQ and rest of Europe. Most of your UK staff in HQ as well as EU staff in UK are likely to be affected and lose employment, not to mention the eventual hassles of visa and travel and immigration etc.
Let BREXIT really happen and try and put yourself in the shoes of the rest of the world which has a fun park ride even applying for a visa at either of your embassies – forget the racism and love we face when we eventually visit your provinces.
ESOMAR needs to earn the right to speak on political issues. And to do that, ideally it really should have done a lot lot lot more.
Find it hard to support you on this one.
Disappointed !!!