New think tank for Jersey

A new organisation has been launched with the objective of increasing knowledge about and civic engagement in Jersey.

The Policy Centre Jersey will do this by –

• Undertaking authoritative research on policy issues.
• Providing a forum for discussion on policy issues.
• Publishing briefings on key policy issues and provide easy access to relevant papers and research.
• Publishing brief up-to-date papers on all aspects of Jersey.

The Policy Centre Jersey is not a political organisation and will have no corporate views, but rather will seek to promote an informed evidence-based public debate of key policy issues. The Centre is committed to collaborate with other relevant organisations currently working in this area, such as the Jersey Policy Forum. The Centre will be established as a not-for-profit organisation and will apply to be registered as a charity.

The Knowledge Papers and Policy Briefs have been published today on the Centre’s website www.policy.je. The Knowledge Papers cover Jersey’s constitution, political system, legal system, history, economy, geography, population, parishes, public finances and natural environment. Their aim is to provide unbiased information on all aspects of living and working in Jersey. The papers will provide an ongoing, regularly updated, resource to ensure that teachers are supported when covering local issues as part of the school curriculum. They will also be useful to newcomers to Jersey and anyone who wants a clearer understanding of our Island.

The published Policy Briefs summarise current policy and include extracts from and links to relevant reports. They are designed to help those who want a better understanding of current issues.

The Policy’s Centre’s first research project is on social mobility in Jersey. This will seek to assess the state of social mobility in Jersey and the issues that need to be addressed to increase social mobility. The objective is to promote an informed debate that will facilitate appropriate policy measures. A background paper on the topic is also on the Centre’s website.

A Steering Committee has been established to complete the set-up and to manage the Centre’s activities. It is headed by Alan Merry, the Chair of Jersey Post.

The Policy Centre is also establishing an Advisory Council of people with an interest in policy issues including representatives from charities, businesses and public bodies. Simon Burgess will be the Chair of the Advisory Council, and Wendy Dorman and Kate Wright will be Vice Chairs.

Commenting on the launch of the Centre, Alan Merry said -

“One of our key aims is to increase the opportunities for people to become more knowledgeable and more involved in the key issues affecting their lives. It will concentrate on longer term issues such as social mobility, the consequences of an ageing population and the impact of technological developments on the labour market.

We intend to work closely with other organisations in Jersey and other jurisdictions and will seek to draw on the excellent work done by many think tanks in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

The aims of the Centre have already attracted support from businesses, charities and public bodies and we will work with them to encourage their involvement and support.”

Chair of the Advisory Council Simon Burgess said –

“The Advisory Council will guide the work of the Centre and approve an annual work programme. Individual members of the Council may contribute to projects where they have expertise. The quality and range of people who have already agreed to become members of the Advisory Council is indicative of the support that the organisation has already attracted. The Council will be expanded to ensure that it is fully representative of all sections of the community.”