Effective Engagement in IA: Working to International Good Practice Standards

Based on the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) foundations, we cover 6 critical components for effective public participation including understanding values, clarifying the decision, and setting engagement goals and objectives. As part of the 6 critical components we look to explore costs and benefits of public participation for the proponent, and all stakeholders; a full understanding of who stakeholders are, how to identify and reach them; applying the IAP2 Core Values for Public Participation to your entire process; understanding different technique formats – for sharing information, collecting and compiling information and bringing people together – when and why to use different techniques, technique role play and insights.  The course draws these principles together with the IAIA Best Practice Principles and FasTips to hone participants’ skills in effective engagement in impact assessment – planning for, delivering, and evaluating engagement in impact assessment.

Drawing on participants’ own case study ideas, the course explores lessons learned, focusing on a specific reference case to highlight good practice approaches specific to impact assessment. The course is highly interactive, makes use of several core elements of effective public participation, and will be tailored to the participants’ background, regardless of their sectoral experience, and their need to apply international good practice standards in public participation for impact assessment. Participants receive a training manual, technique guide, presentation material, and references for future use, drawing also on international good practice standards such as those of the Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation.

The course focuses on defining what effective public participation is, the role of the decision-maker/organization and other participants in that process, and uses the IAP2 Core Values, Spectrum for Public Participation, and Code of Ethics to establish clear and achievable objectives for public participation and a promise to the public.

The course is useful for:

• Public participation and impact assessment practitioners
• Project proponents
• Regulators/authorities at all spheres of government
• Educational institutions
• Lenders, investors, and financiers
• A range of stakeholders including community-based and non-governmental organizations
• Anyone interested in or potentially affected by a proposed development.