Public Participation for Impact Assessment Professionals: Aiming for Transformational Approaches Using International Frameworks and Standards

This course provides an insight into public participation in Impact Assessment, underpinning models of public participation practice drawing on IAP2, IAIA and other international frameworks. It looks specifically at what engagement is, who is involved, practice standards, why it is important to be practiced ethically and effectively and the unique and critical role that IA practitioners play.

By course end, participants will be able to:

• Define public participation, related terms and what makes it unique
• Identify what makes public participation meaningful – reflect on its benefits, risks and myths
• Identify the role values play in challenging public participation and leadership attributes for practice
• Reflect on and apply ethical leadership actions and abilities to challenging engagement situations
• Apply the Profiles of Engagement model to public participation, and explore organisation-led and community-led engagement and how each impacts the public participation process
• Apply the IAP2 spectrum to challenging public participation situations and practice
• Explore a framework for practice for effective planning and process – utilising IAP2 frameworks and reviewing others by way of comparison
• Reflect on and apply the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and intercultural engagement
• Explore the role of power and influence in challenging engagement contexts and its impacts on our work

Level: Intermediate/Advanced (This course is tailored to those who have some level of exposure or experience in the field. It will be attractive to those who work on projects especially in emerging economies where project developers are bound by their investors to meet international good practice standards such as ensuring Free, Prior and Informed Consent (as per UNDRIP, see here), Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Environmental and Social Frame-work, or multi-organizational approaches including Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement. It will draw on the IAP2 Global Learning Pathway short course, P2/Engagement for Allied Professionals (an update of the previous Decision Makers course).

Prerequisites: Whether working in developed or developing countries, prerequisites include an understanding and awareness of public participation and a willingness to adapt your approach and techniques to take them to the next level.

Language: English

Duration: 2 days (22-23 April)

Min/Max: 10-24

Price: US $480

Instructor: Tanya Burdett, Director, Essential Planning Ltd (UK)

Tanya Burdett

As a Registered Planner (Planning Institute of Australia – PIA), Licensed International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Trainer, and PhD Candidate (University of Melbourne), Tanya is committed to capacity building, and sharing experiences and stories on best practice experienced throughout her 28-year career in planning, impact assessment and public participation. She co-chairs the IAIA public participation section, and has contributed to multiple books on the role of engagement in impact assessment and planning approvals.

Tanya has active consultancy practices in both the UK and Australia. Tanya has worked extensively in a range of sectors including the water, transport and energy sectors, and on major infrastructure projects including high speed rail (UK), and level crossing removals and regional rail projects (Victoria, Australia).