8. Public Participation

Question 1

Public participation

Answer 1

engaging citizens in decision-making processes before assessment + permitting outcomes are determined

emphasizes relationship building, sharing info, fostering dialogue

NOT all lead decision-making
NOT all engaging

Question 2

people impacted by projects enhance…. through well informed, inclusive participatory engagement strategies which emphasizes…

Answer 2

decision quality

learning

Question 3

What is the difference between participation, consultation, and involvement and negotiation?

Answer 3

Participation:
broad concept including both consultation and involvement.

Consultation:
weaker form of engagement where the public has limited influence (proponent informs public)
–>open-houses, public hearings

involvement:
stronger form engagement
allows the public to take a lead role in planning/decision-making.
–> workshops, co-mgmt..negotiations

negotiation among stakeholders:
alternative dispute resolution mechanism based on joint fact-finding, consensus building and mutual accommodation of different interests

Question 4

3 consultation types

Answer 4

1. persuasion: to change attitutes without raising expectations of actual influence
2. tokenism: superficial consultation, pretense of listening
3. education: raising awareness

Question 5

3 types involvement

Answer 5

1. joint planning: shared decision-making
2. delegated authority; responsibility transfered to body with relevant expertise
3. self-determination; public undertakes process independently

Question 6

who is the public

Answer 6

a. people: local communities

b. businesses: facing potential operational changes, opportunity risks based on EIA outcomes

c. NGOs: advocating for community iterests, ensuring EIA reflects ecological/social considerations, formal or informal, representing people or larger industries

–> NOT INDG

Question 7

stakeholders vs public

Answer 7

stakeholder;
individuals, groups, orgs having direct interest or stake in outcome (+/- influenced or having power to influence decision)
–>ongoing engagement, targeted discussions or even partnerships

public;
general population, borader community may indirect, less personal connections (reflecting wider societal perspective/impacts, more diverse)

–>less influence, their feedback could still shape decisions
–> engaged through wider consultation to gather broad-based input/feedback

Question 8

why public participation?

Answer 8

a. strategic reasons;
gain support, save time, avoid conflict, obtain info/feedback to improve project
–> ways of dealing with some uncertainties

b. legal/regulatory requirements; public participation = mandated by regulations

c. trust-building;
participants trust, enhance social license, create long-term support

Question 9

benefits of PP

Answer 9

1. avoid litigation;
   mitigate potential for legal disputes
2. improve project outcomes
   identify concerns early on, build better knowledge area/context to enhance project design (deal some uncertainties)
   –> facilitates consideration alternatives, mitigation, tradeoffs
3. support; identify/reduce conflict, smoother regulation reviews, long-term support anticipate/resolve issues across project lifestyle

Question 10

Participation = deal with people

Answer 10

whose voice heard? representative? informed? who NOT hearing from?

local vs. outsider? defined by who?

how best reach people?

–> perpetual issue; how get people to participate

Question 11

how communicate?

goal: clear, concise, accessible to all audiences

Answer 11

tailored, avoiding technical jargon/impersonal bureaucratic/academic/abstract language, simplify legal terms (not oversimplify), clear science explained

who public is? must define audience to plan and choose communication tools based on:
–> age
–> gender
–> location
–> capabilities (education, awareness, interest)
–> connection to project: involvement is direct/indirect/ideological/potential

Question 12

active listening

Answer 12

-leave preconceptions behind
-ask right questions to truly understand public’s concerns
-engage fully with people, understanding intent/emotion/values underlying
-deeper motivations, values may not clear at first, uncover them + adjust communication accordingly

Question 13

engagement tools

Answer 13

1. digital engagement tools:
   apps, real-time feedback to answer questions rapidly + enhance public engagement

2, crowdsourcing platforms; allows diverse participant contributions (collective knowledge)

3. interactive mapping techniques;
   spatial awareness, visualizing impacts
4. informational tools;
   webinars, portals to enhance awareness/EIA understanding
5. collaborative platforms;
   online forums, multifaceted discussions, diverse participants
6. case studies; website for feedback collection, demonstrate how effective PP real-scenarios (learn from them, how apply own context)
7. face 2 face; forums, workshops, info sessions
   (building trust)

Question 14

public engagement plans

SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE PROCESS

Answer 14

goals/objective
–> informaing, persuading, engaging, gathering input?
–> what want people to get out of it?

strategies
–> clear conflict-resolution plan, anticipate

mechanisms/tools

identify stakeholders, participants, audiences

activity schedule
–> adjust commnication
–> plan short/long-term engagement

implement them
–> plan resources materials, workshops (budget, cost)

how results, report, data used

follow-up process (feedback loop)
–>not unidirectional process

how will this be integrated in EIA, how did it shape it?

Question 15

PP challenges

Answer 15

1. communication barriers (language, cultural practices, capacities, technological)
   –> ensure communicators have necessary skills/knowledge too
2. conflict resolution

Question 16

9 guiding point for PP

Answer 16

1. Early planning
   resource allocation, info, time for PP
2. identify participants
   interests, reflect community, willing to participate/discuss/listen
3. transparency
   clearly communicate public level of influence
4. appropraite tools
   tailored for each stage
5. accessible info provided
   participants understand material
6. flexible
   adapt to new info/participants/changing situations
7. schedule inclusively
   times and venues suiting different participants
8. allow sufficient time to process info, feedback loops, writing results
9. integrate feedback/input into reports/decisions

Question 17

social media?

Answer 17

used in IA and planning processes, data collection, update commnication, gather ideas, facilitate dialogue between stakeholders

means of informing and sharing info

provide stakeholders greater, faster access to project info/documents

potential in assessing and monitoring public opinion on projects

potential to facilitate dialogue, assist stakeholders in examining validity of discussions

citizen co-production, citizen having more active role
–> promoting their concerns in planning processes

engaging youth (generally not participating)

Question 18

social media challenges

Answer 18

one-way communication rather than dialogue
–> currently used more as “informing” tool (limited to branding, info provision)

proponents/gov little control over how messages interpreted, who accesses it, how it is used
–> political implications (social media use embedded in political sphere)
–> polarization

internet access
lack IT skills
–> highly dependent on proponents organizational culture

social media info filtered through existing networks (complex/invisible to users)

= uncertain quality of info (disputes over validity)

mismatch lengthy consultation periods in EIA vs. quick social media
–> aligning social media use with governance principles of legitimacy, accountability, fairness

Question 19

E-governance

Answer 19

internet= ability to connect geographically diverse people, those with limited time, interest in traditional participation

potential to create 2 way interactions among participants + between public and decision-makers

participants organizing, preparing hearings/EIA process
–> improved connections

collaborative space

democratizing participants (facilitating greater) access to project documentation

info instantly shared, available to comments/feedback
–> easier process for all parties (proponents to know local context/concerns, people know project)
–> time efficient
–> lower cost
–> more productive?
access to international databases, info, sources

unifying voices on development issues

Canada: all provinces/territories/federal maintain websites, registries for IA laws, policies, info, case registries

Question 20

E-governance challenges

Answer 20

limited connectivity
elders
lack financial means for online tools
unfamiliarity with tools online
not two-way dialogue usually
–> needs to be scaled up to the public level

needs to be better integrated for participation in EIA

Question 21

prerequisites so public involvement is effective

Answer 21

proponents serious + open minded about what it can contribute to proposal

2-way dialogue

willingness to listen to info, values, concerns of community

amend proposal to minimize community concerns

acknowledge value of community input

Question 22

Even though the proponent may not have a
clear idea of project details (“its too early”)
communicating the objectives
of the proposals can start to …, allow useful public input on site constraints
and alternatives and can help the proponent devise a
robust scheme.

Answer 22

build trust with the
community

Question 23

Public involvement can be expensive and time-consuming.
If integrated into the project planning process, …. can be avoided. The costs of not involving the
public are likely to be …

Answer 23

excessive
timelines

even greater in terms of costs arising
from delays.

Question 24

Lack of technical education does not negate intelligence
and the understanding people have of their own
surroundings. Often people’s knowledge of their
environment and how it will be changed can be …

Answer 24

more accurate than that predicted by models.

Question 25

PP in EIA stages

PP as a pillar of EIA, intended to be applicable at all levels/types of stages/processes (including strategic level)

Answer 25

screening:
gain a better understanding of the nature and significance of the likely impacts. assist in
determining if an EIA is required and at what level

scoping (common):
ensure that all the significant issues are identified, local information
about the project area is gathered, and alternative ways of achieving the
project objectives are considered. Terms of Reference should outline any specific requirements for public
involvement in EIA preparation, review, and follow up.

Impact analysis/mitigation:
can help to:
* avoid biases and inaccuracies in analysis;
* identify local values and preferences;
* assist in the consideration of mitigation measures; and
* select a best practicable alternative.

review of EIA quality:
Public hearings or meetings formal or informal but should be structured in a
way which best allows those affected to have their say.
(commenting on EIA)

implementation/follow-up:
Local representatives
should scrutinise and participate in the follow up process. assist proponents and approval agencies to respond to problems as they
arise. help to promote good relations with local communities

Question 26

3 tiers of PP principles

Answer 26

1. basic principles
   aply to all stages of EIA (all interdependent levels)
2. operating principles
   how basic principles applies in activities of EIA
3. developing guidelines
   key directions for improvement of PP in EIA

Question 27

1. basic principles

Answer 27

-adapted to context

-informative + proactive (early)

-adaptive + communicative

-inclusive + equitable (sust; equity between generations)

-educative (mutual respect, understandings)

-cooperative

-imputable (communicate how inputs contributing to decision-making to stakeholders)

Question 28

2. operating principles

Answer 28

-initiated early and sustained

-well planned and focuses on negotiable issues (credibility)

-supportive to participants (adequate diffusion on info)

-tiered/optimized (PP occurs at most appropriate level of decision-making)

-open/transparent

-context-oriented (adapted to community social organizations)

-credible/rigorous

Question 29

3. developing guidelines

Answer 29

For improving the outcomes of public participation, all actors should actively promote:

• Access to useful and relevant information for the public. Even if information is actually generally available, it might need some
  improvement to be useful to laypersons, or more focused and
  relevant to the decision-making process.
• High-level involvement and participation in decision making;
• creative ways to involve people.
• Access to justice and equity