Desmond M. Connor
The following is an excerpt from Volume 25, Issue 1 (June 1997)
Constructive Citizen Participation
How to prevent and resolve public controversy
Desmond M. Connor
Some Basic Principles
- Social Change - Decision-makers used to be able to rely on a fairly slow rate of social change amongst their people who respected authority and were fairly satisfied with life. Increasingly, change now happens more quickly; people often resist authority and are more dissatisfied with their living conditions. Recognize that the old DAD (Decide-Announce-Defend) style works less well today.
- Community - Understanding the community - its history, organizations, leaders, values, communications, and knowledge of and attitudes to the proposal and proponent - is the essential foundation for effective public participation. Prepare a social profile of the community or region as soon as possible.
- Mutual Trust - Mutual trust between the proponent and the various publics is essential; build it systematically by fostering acceptance, understanding, shared goals and co-operative management; remember trust is easily lost.
- Objective - The objective of a public participation program is to develop informed, visible, majority public acceptance and support for a valid proposal.
- Publics - There may be a dozen different kinds of people with a shared interest in a proposal. Identify each and work with them appropriately.
- Focus - Spend no more than 20% of your time and effort in trying to directly change the minds of committed opponents of a valid proposal. Instead, work with the usually silent majority - interest, inform and involve them in the proposal. Then encourage them to deal with the opponents.
- Media - The media is a dubious ally with its own agenda. If you want something said clearly and well, publish your message yourself. A proponent often has more potential support than media coverage suggests.
- Consensus - Consensus is a noble ideal, but it can give every participant a veto. Seek consensus, but be prepared to settle for informed, visible, majority public acceptance and support.
- Management - The level and quality of participation with the public will be no better than the level and quality of staff participation within the proponent's organization. Build the capacity of the community to co-manage shared goals with the proponent.
- Equity - A proposed solution must be seen as fair to all involved. e.g. everyone should win something - this might be money, work or just recognition.
- Time - Start early, be cost-effective in the use of citizens' time and respect periods which are important to the community. e.g. seasonal work, festivals etc. Provide continuity between program phases and between planning, decision-making and implementation.
- Feedback - provide continuous and diverse opportunities for feedback. e.g. reply coupons in publications, exit checklists at open houses, a hotline telephone and regular chats with key nodes in community grapevines. Be responsive to feedback - adjust your initial program as needed.
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DESMOND M. CONNOR
"Improving the Practice of Public Consultation"
407-5332 Sayward Hill Crescent, Victoria, BC, V8Y 2H8
Voice: 250-658-1323 Fax: 250-658-8110
connor@connor.bc.ca www.connor.bc.ca |
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