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?