MOSCOW, September 14, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the awareness of Russians about the Public Chamber of Russia and the purpose it was established for.
Forty-two percent of Russians know about the Public Chamber (5% are well aware, 37% heard something about it). The highest level of awareness about the Public Chamber was recorded two years after its establishment, i.e. in 2006 (60% of respondents). The awareness is basically expressed by respondents with high level of education (58%). At the same time, more than half of respondents know nothing about this institution (57%); most of them are respondents with low level of education (78%).
The highest awareness comes from the inhabitants of big and medium-sized cities (46-47%), LDPR party supporters (47%) and 35-59-year-old respondents (45-46%). Most of the unaware respondents are rural area residents (63%), election absentees (67%) and Russians aged 18-24 (64%).
Russians think that the Public Chamber was set up to be a mediator between people and power and to promote civil initiatives (17%). Other 12% think it should implement civilian control over the work of authorities. Respondents also consider that this body is intended to discuss key national problems (9%), conduct examination of draft laws and social programs, to defend citizens against the arbitrariness of authorities (7% for each). Rarer respondents mention fight against corruption, raise of living standards, building civil society (1% for each). Nevertheless, 46% of Russians are undecided.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on September 5-6, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.
Have you heard anything about the Public Chamber of Russia? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2009 |
Yes, I am well aware about that | 10 | 11 | 8 | 5 |
Heard something | 37 | 49 | 50 | 37 |
I know nothing about that | 49 | 37 | 37 | 57 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Have you heard anything about the Public Chamber of Russia? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| Total respondents | Education | |||
Elementary, or lower, incomplete secondary education | Secondary (school, technical college) | Secondary special (college) | Incomplete higher (not less than 3 years), higher | ||
Yes, I am well aware about that | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
Heard something | 37 | 20 | 37 | 35 | 48 |
I know nothing about that | 57 | 78 | 58 | 59 | 41 |
Hard to tell | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
What is the purpose this institution was set up for? (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who are aware of the Public Chamber) | |
Mediator between people and power, promotion of civil initiatives | 17 |
Independent civilian control over the work of authorities | 12 |
Discussion, participation in solving key national issues | 9 |
Examination of draft laws and social programs | 7 |
Defense of citizens` rights against arbitrariness of authorities | 7 |
Fight against corruption | 1 |
Raise of living standards | 1 |
Development of democracy, building civil society | 1 |
Money laundering | 1 |
Useless body | 1 |
Other | 1 |
Hard to tell | 46 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,
the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!