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Definition of theme |
Community engagement is the process by which local people can articulate their needs and aspirations and have a meaningful role in the development of town strategies and action plans. The drive towards a more active engagement of people in local affairs is now stronger than ever. Having a voice provides a mechanism for ensuring accountability and enhancing the quality of service and it is crucial that councils present a range of forums to give users a voice
Public participation is a means to several ends and should be seen as a range of positive activities and initiatives that gives the public opportunities & choices to put forward their views. There is a lengthy continuum ranging from ‘providing information’ through ‘consultation’ to ‘participation’ and ultimately decision-making and ‘empowerment’.
Consultation is
- a process which is used to determine perceptions, impart new information, establish customer satisfaction and so on, but
- often consultation does not secure involvement and participation
- consultation is an invitation to express views on a specific issue (eg, a plan, a development proposal or policy document) and implies that the plan has already been prepared.
Participation is
- an educative process whereby the way of doing something is as important as what is done.
- people want to participate in meaningful ways and will resist consultations which see them (the public) as passive recipients of information.
- It is about getting people involved in the formation of a development proposal, policy plan, performance review, etc and by doing so, gives ownership.
- The involvement must be a two-way process
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