Factual information on conditions in the USA is so fragmented, inconsistent or overwhelming that it’s hard to know where we are, how we are doing and where we might be going.
Large investments have produced much valuable data on the US, but they are not easy for most people to find and use.
There is a pressing need for more independent, reliable, transparent and high-quality information sources.
Important national and individual choices are too often framed, discussed and made based on inadequate, incomplete or biased information without a widely shared base of factual knowledge.
Initial Audiences
Civic leaders, nonprofit organizations and foundations.
Editors, journalists and media organizations.
Government policy makers at all levels of society.
Business leaders and wholesale information providers.
Students, educators and researchers
Interested and engaged citizens and interest groups.
Now is the Time for a U.S. Key Indicator System
Information infrastructures offer true economies of scale.
Major new investments being made in data collection / availability.
The practice of key indicator systems is developing quickly.
The next generation of systems and products is ready to be built.
There is a window of opportunity for international leadership.
Marginal investments in dissemination have high potential payoffs.
A Viable Solution – The State of the USA
Provide a single source of the essential indicators of U.S. position and progress, with both a local relevance and global context.
Develop a civic and scientific process to select and continually improve a State of the USA indicator set.
Provide products and services to improve the understanding and decision-making of targeted audiences.
Help make a lasting contribution to American democracy through an enduring public/private partnership.
High-caliber leadership group with a representative character
Extensive involvement with diverse group of leading institutions in American society
Substantial network of relationships with existing practitioners, stakeholders, and experts – locally, nationally, and globally
Incubated by The National Academies, in coordination with others at federal, state and local levels as well as with diverse demographic communities, professional and interest groups.
Current KNII Organizational Structure Development Phase
Steering Committee*
Donald Borut, Executive Director, National League of Cities
Richard Cavanagh, President, The Conference Board
William Clark, Harvey Brooks Professor of International Science, Public Policy and Human Development, Environment and Natural Resources Program, Harvard University
Broader audience understanding of changing conditions
Improved base of shared factual knowledge
Enriched civic dialogue
More informed choices
Enhanced collaboration and problem solving
Impact and Value – Illustrations
Non-Profits and Governments – Better strategies & resource allocation choices on investments in complex issues (e.g. short and long-range fiscal challenges, health care, education)
Media – New information and tools that improve productivity and depth of reporting on cross-cutting issues (e.g. energy and resource sustainability, regional issues)
Business – Better insight into broad societal patterns and trends for planning, investment and product/service creation (e.g. socio-economic trends by geographic and demographic groups)
Citizens and Interest Groups – Increased confidence and better understanding of issues and how they are affecting their interests (e.g. health care and the economy, international economics & jobs)
Harvey Fineberg, President, Institute of Medicine; The National Academies; Chairman, KNII Steering Committee; 202.334.3300 or fineberg@nas.edu
Christopher Hoenig, Vice-President of Strategy, IBM Business Consulting Services; Executive Director, KNII 202.265.1468 or christopherhoenig@earthlink.net
Jane Ross, Project Director, The National Academies; 202.334.2092 or jross@nas.edu
