Government kicked off the 2010 Census yesterday, highlighting a new data collection method for the Island.

Interviewers will spend the next three months going door-to-door in every parish bar Smith's, where telephone interviews will be used to gather residents' information.

If Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) is successful, Government will introduce it to more parishes at the next Census, said Statistics director Valerie Robinson James.

"We will be making history in Bermuda and the Caribbean in implementing (CATI)," she said. "[It is] an electronic version of the Census questionnaire [which] will be administered over the phone."

Smith's was chosen for the trial over other parishes because the housing layout is less dense, there is a higher number of cottages and private dwellings, and more of its residents have telephones.

Census workers will visit the rest of the Island's residents over the next few months. Households will be quizzed on everything from how much they recycle to how many hours they spend on the computer.

"Remember that questions refer to 20 May, 2010," Mrs. Robinson James added. "For example, how many people were staying in your household on Census Day?

"Note, the interviewer might not reach your home for several weeks therefore it is important that you keep this kind of information in respect of Census Day in mind."

The results of such findings will remain confidential and no names will be entered into the Census computer file.

A press conference to launch Census 2010 was held at Premier Ewart Brown's home in Smith's.

Dr. Brown said the success of the count depended on everyone's participation young and old, Bermudian and non-Bermudian.

"This is a national event and every individual in the community must be counted.

"Undoubtedly, Bermuda is a very diverse and culturally vibrant society and our aim is to be as inclusive as possible of all groups of people in Bermuda.

"In fact, the data we collect will provide the empirical evidence on how much we have changed in diversity."

Censuses are carried out across the world to give governments information so they can make better informed decisions.

It gives the government an accurate count of the population and gives better insight into social, economic and technological trends in the community as well.

The Premier said: "It will help us make specific and detailed policy decisions pertaining to health care, education, income, employment, housing, child care and technology use, just to name a few.

"Ultimately it is about improving your quality of life, safeguarding our economy, promoting stronger families and ensuring safer communities. So each and every one of you has a unique opportunity to make a difference."

Interviewers will be equipped with a picture identification card with the person's name and title. It will be signed by the Director of Statistics and will have a holographic sticker on the back.

Census workers will also wear a neon green sash and carry a black Department of Statistics canvas bag and a letter of authenticity.

These measures are taken to ensure "the census is delivered in alignment with international standards and best practices, and, relevant to the needs of Bermuda," said Mrs. Robinson James.

Appointments may be rearranged if the interviewer stops by at an inconvenient time. For more information e-mail statistics@gov.bm or call 297-7761.

Interviewers will canvas homes starting today through August 31. Work will continue through September 30 if necessary.