Beijing optimistically looks forward to hosting the olympic games, even if 60% of its inhabitants fear possible terrorist attacks

Rome 8 August 2008 - In the days leading up to the Olympic Games, this snapshot of Beijing reveals a city worried about its ability to rise to the occasion and meet the enormous challenges lying ahead. At the same time, Beijing is anxious to show the world just how very dynamic and alive it really is. We see a population that refuses to give in to the numerous worries and uncertainties weighing on the city and instead draws strength from these very worries in order to meet those challenges.

This is the image of Beijing that emerges from a Censis survey on global fears. The survey was carried out in 10 cities around the world and will be presented during Fondazione Roma's World Summit to be held from 24 to 26 September. The Summit is focused on global fears and will provide an opportunity for debate and discussion at world level. This planned event has been made possible also thanks to the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic and Sponsorship from the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry. Speakers at the Summit will include sociologists Anthony Giddens, Zygmunt Bauman and Robert Castel , the economist Jacques Attali, Nobel prize winner and economist Gary Becker, the psychologist James Hillman, the journalist Bill Emmott, the architect Massimiliano Fuksas, the magistrate Piero Luigi Vigna, the scientist Edoardo Boncinelli and writers Suketu Mehta and Roberto Saviano.

The Censis-WSS survey, carried out between the end of June and the beginning of July, was based on a representative sample of Beijing's citizens. The image offered is that of a euphoric city whose citizens are greatly looking forward to the upcoming world event.

When asked to describe their most prevalent feeling about their own lives and futures, 36.2% of the capital's inhabitants said that they were optimistic and 29.2% even said that they were enthusiastic, whilst 17.4% said that they had feelings of faith and trust. On the whole, 82.8% of the citizens of Beijing, the highest figure for all of the capitals surveyed, expressed positive feelings. In contrast, only 17.2% were overcome by worry: 12.4% said that their feelings were mostly ones of uncertainty; 3.4% said they were mostly indifferent about their own lives, both present and future, and 1.4% said they were fearful.

Nonetheless, a deeper analysis reveals the underlying tensions of a population that finds itself at the centre of the world's attention and thus at greater risk of possible protests. We discover a city that is more afraid than it wishes to let on.

Beijing's biggest fear is that there could be a repeat of recent events. Indeed, 71.2% of those interviewed said they were fearful that a natural disaster, such another earthquake, could occur. This fear is especially strong amongst women and the elderly. The second strongest fear is that of a terrorist attack (61.8%), followed by that of a mass epidemic or food intoxication (58.4%), such as the SARS outbreak which occurred some years back.

These external fears, based on objective risks or possibly indirect or firsthand experiences, are coupled with fears linked to the extraordinarily dynamic and entrepreneurial nature of the local production system.

China is the country most feared by the West due to its competitiveness in practically all sectors. In China's capital, some worry that this dream of a brighter future could fade away. Indeed, various sections of the population are afraid that they will not always be able to benefit from the country's economic boom. A good 57% of Beijing's residents admit to being afraid that they will not be able to take advantage of the opportunities for economic and social growth and will "fall behind".

Although this fear has hardly led to inertia or to a defensive stance aimed at protecting what has already been accomplished, it is still important in terms of the city's vitality. In order to improve their future, a cornerstone objective for the majority of the city's inhabitants, these very inhabitants are willing to put present certainties at risk.

It is striking that 73.6% of the capital's inhabitants think that what counts most in life is working to continuously improve one's own condition as opposed to being content with what one has (expressed by just 26.4% of those interviewed). This aspect leads 69% of the Beijing's residents to consider risk, regarding both work and investments, as a situation possibly offering good opportunities rather than as a danger requiring defensive strategies (31%).

There is a tendency to constantly put oneself to the test, even if this involves accepting risks that every change inevitably brings. This is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of this population, the fact that they are constantly willing to reflect and aim ever higher.

Table1 - The most common mood amongst Beijing's citizens broken down by age, 2008 (figures expressed as percentages)

Source: Censis-WSS survey

Table 2 - The most widespread fears amongst Beijing's citizens, 2008

(figures expressed as percentages)

Figure is the percentage of the total of individuals interviewed

Source: Censis-WSS Survey

Tab. 3 - Agreement of those interviewed with the following statements, broken down by category of age. 2008 (figures expressed as percentages)

Source: Censis-WSS Survey

Fondazione Roma

"Fondazione Roma" is a private entity that works to promote economic and social progress. It has traditionally worked in favour of the underprivileged and with a view to meeting local territorial needs. In terms of historical context, it comes between Monte di Pietà di Roma, set up in 1539 in order to stamp out usury, and Cassa di Risparmio di Roma, which absorbed the Foundation in 1937. Today it is a modern operating foundation that provides solidarity and grants to support the five fields of greatest social relevance: health - fine arts and cultural heritage - education - scientific research - aid to the underprivileged. Fondazione Roma has adopted and works in accordance with the model of "Open Foundations", meaning that it has an operating strategy and carries out its activities with passion and enthusiasm. It also takes advantage of valuable synergies with stakeholders operating in its reference territory in order to offer timely solutions to the community's needs in a flexible and transparent manner.

Fondazione Censis

Censis was founded in 1964 as a social study and research Institute and was formally recognised by the Italian government in October 1973 via Presidential Decree no. 712/11. The Institute's research, assistance and consultancy activities are carried out in the main areas of social, social-economic and social-political interest. These include the fields of education, employment, welfare, culture, communication and evaluation. They also include economic and territorial development, behaviours and values, analyses of public policies and even social and economic development at international level. The Institute's research programmes are primarily applicative and operative in nature and its service activities in favour of institutional bodies are especially important.

Those interested in taking part in the WSS can register on the Summit's website, www.worldsocialsummit.org, where it is also possible to see a programme of the scheduled events.