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Module 5Representivity
What’s in Module 5
Who has how much voice?
For SP practitioners: ensuring representativity
For SP participants: how to have a stronger voice?
Who has how much voice?
Public participation is a rich
concept that means different
things to different people in
different political & cultural
environments
Source: SAIEA
Civil society involvement
From your experience, what factors can constrain participation?
How can SP processes ensure representative stakeholder groups?
What groups are often left out?
Who are we leaving out?
Many stakeholder groups are made up of smaller groups of actors with diverse interests, levels of influence and ability to exercise their rights
The most marginalised in a “local community”, generally women or the poorer, often do not have their interests represented by the institutions representing the larger community
Non accessible language
Non accessible information (time, place or format)
Time constraints (time poverty)
Social/ cultural hierarchies (gender- or age-based)
Culture of stakeholder engagement non existent
Lack of interest in the subject
Remember what may constrain participation...
For SP practitioners: ensuring representivity
Write down ideas of how you can ensure a representative list of stakeholders…
Should stakeholders help define who should be involved in the process?
Ask stakeholders themselves who they preceive the main stakeholders to be
Cross-check the completeness of your stakeholder list:
– Sectors (public, private, interest groups, individuals)
– Localtion (local, national, regional, international)
– Probable interest (directly affected, indirectly affected, possibly interested, and general interest)
Source: ELI
Listing the stakeholders...
Imagine you are organising a SP workshop: how would you ensure representivity?
To what extent should the project assist people who cannot participate?
Disseminate information about the SP process and assist those who may not be readily able to take advantage of the SP process
Make information available in distinct places and through media – use existing mechanisms the public uses to receive information
Source: ELI
Inform...
Consider whether groups of the socially excluded have spokespersons who should be included in any preliminary and early discussions to heighten their awareness and include their voice
e.g. village elders, tribal leaders, community-minded individuals
Source: World Bank
Ensure that participation will not take people away from their livelihood activities, or compensate them for their time participating
Use language(s) that is(are) understandable and meaningful to stakeholders
Tailor methods of dissemination and of participation to the targeted stakeholders
Source: ELI
Tailor the process...
“ If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to a man in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Nelson Mandela
For SP participants:how to have a stronger voice?
How can stakeholders organise themselves to have a stronger say?
What experiences have people had in SP processes?
What to do when you are not being involved?
To have a stronger say...
Source: SAIEA
Representatives: choose a individual or a small group of individuals to represent the community/ organisation’s interests
Networks: formal or informal networks, alliances and coallitions may assist you in the SP process
To have a stronger say...
Source: SAIEA
Caucusing: before public events, obtain opinions in your community and determine your strategies and objectives of the group. As a representative, always report back to your constituency
NGO support: may assist communities in accessing and interpreting information, and participating in SP events
Can you list some mechanisms you have used or know of?…
What mechanisms and channels exist to get your voice heard?
Formal government structures
By legal and constitutional right, many local/regional authorities will have formal structures established to enable public participation.
E.g. Ward committees, independent advisory bodies that serve as a formal communication channels between the community and the council.
Some examples
Informal structures and networks
Existing civil society sectoral groupings and forums can be used for civil society stakeholders and municipalities to come together. These processes should be attended by senior officials with decision-making powers.
Media
Communities can make use of press or radio, for example, to voice their opinions and concerns
• Make sure you have read and understood all the information provided prior to the SP event
• Draw up a list of questions before the event
• Ensure you know the aim of the event and prepare a view before attending it
• Be prepared to work when you attend events
Source: SAIEA
Things to remember...
Some final food for thought:
Whose process is it after all?