The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)’s “Core Values for Public Participation” set out broad principles for the practice of public participation. They were ‘developed over a two year period with broad international input to identify those aspects of public participation which cross national, cultural, and religious boundaries’.
Core Values for the Practice of Public Participation
- Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
- Public participation includes the promise that the public’s contribution will influence the decision.
- Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.
- Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
- Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
- Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
- Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.
Reproduced with permission from IAP2.