Transcript Part A The process

Module 5
Representivity
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
Civil society involvement
Source: SAIEA
How can SP processes ensure
representative stakeholder groups?
What groups are often left out?
From your experience, what
factors can constrain
participation?
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
Remember what may constrain
participation...
 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
For SP practitioners:
ensuring representivity
Should stakeholders help define
who should be involved in the
process?
Write down ideas of how you
can ensure a representative
list of stakeholders…
Listing the stakeholders...
 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
To what extent should the
project assist people who
cannot participate?
Imagine you are organising a
SP workshop: how would you
ensure representivity?
Inform...
 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
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, communityminded individuals
Source: World Bank
Tailor the process...
 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
“ 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 to do when you
are not being involved?
What experiences have
people had in SP processes?
To have a stronger say...
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
Source: SAIEA
To have a stronger say...
NGO support: may assist communities in
accessing and interpreting information, and
participating in SP events
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
Source: SAIEA
What mechanisms and channels
exist to get your voice heard?
Can you list some
mechanisms you have used
or know of?…
Some examples
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.
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
Things to remember...
• 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
Some final food for thought:
Whose process is it after all?