Everyone counts in 2010

(CNS):The next Cayman Islands Population and Housing Census will take place in October 2010, under the direction of the Economics and Statistics Office (ESO). Population censuses have been conducted in Cayman since 1802 and the last occurring in October 1999. The office has now unveiled the logo which will be used to help publicise the count.

Members of the Advisory Committee gathered last week to get the first look of the census logo, inspired by the work of renowned Caymanian artist, “Miss Lassie” (Gladwyn K. Bush). According to a government release the logo was created by the Government Information Services’ graphics team and it depicts gender, race, and nationally non-specific stylised figures housed in a colourful island-style home accompanied by the slogan, ’2010 Everyone Counts!’               

The release stated that the logo’s colours of green, red, blue and yellow came from swatches selected from one of Miss Lassie’s most famous paintings, The World Praying for Peace. Economics and Statistics Office (ESO) Director Maria Zingapan advised committee members that several logo concepts were screened by staff members who also made the final selection. “We particularly liked the fact that the chosen design was ageless and could be adapted in future just by changing the date,” she said.

Committee Chair and ESO Chief Statistician Ronnie Andersson said that he too was delighted with the design which he felt would be “easily recognized internationally for its distinctiveness and cultural sensitivity.”

Publicity regarding the coming census will focus on three key messages: the census is coming – make sure you are counted; the census is important and provides useful, necessary, information; and the census is safe – your confidentiality will be ensured.

The new logo and the importance of census information will be featured on GIS Spotlight on 8 December. Information on the 2010 and past censuses, and links to information on other jurisdictions can be found on the ESO website at www.eso.ky. Campaign updates will be uploaded periodically.