Choosing the right approach and tools
Choosing an approach that makes sense
Government's need to take a 'holistic' view of the policy-making cycle when developing a participation strategy and when considering what types of e-enabled and traditional participation methods should be used and at what stages in the cycle. OECD, 2003. Policy Brief on 'Engaging Citizens Online for Better Policy Making'
When designing a participation strategy, it is important to develop a plan and timetable for the participation exercises so that the outcomes can be appropriately fed at the relevant stages throughout the policy-making cycle.
This will also help to determine possible eParticipation methods that could be used and for what purpose at the different stages of the cycle. For example, an online discussion forum could be used at the very early stages of formulating some potential policy options ('policy formulation' stage) to respond to an issue. An online discussion forum would encourage open deliberation and debate about the issue early in the process and give light to some possible responses that can be reviewed at later stages in the policy-making cycle.
The use of the online discussion forum would work more effectively if other traditional methods such as meetings or workshops were also used as this would support a more inclusive and integrated approach to engaging with citizens, even at this early stage of addressing the policy issue.
eParticipation can also play an important 'scrutiny role' in the policy-making cycle. For example, the UK Parliament is experimenting with pre-legislative scrutiny committees (responsible for examining draft bills before they are considered by standing committees) and the use of digital communications media to enable people to view live proceedings online (webcast) and to e-mail their views on how laws might be amended www.parliamentlive.tv. The emails submitted by the public are acknowledged and a summary report is prepared for the committee's consideration for the following day.
Participation should not be a one-off, but more of a continuous process that starts as early as possible and adapts to each stage of the process. However, participation on an issue can begin at any one of these stages and move through them as the policy cycle matures.
There are various participation scales that demonstrate different levels of citizen engagement. Different types of participation will occur at different stages of the policy-making process. This may range from citizens 'initiating' dialogue with government, through to government 'giving information' directly to citizens.
There tends to be a trade-off between the degree of responsiveness on the part of the government and how far citizens themselves can lead changes.
Where the participation exercise fits on this spectrum of devolved decision-making needs to be clear, both to the policy owners and those asked to participate, as this will help to avoid any potential misunderstanding and negative impact.
You can position your situation along a spectrum from citizien information through to active citizen participation.
For example:
- Information provision to the citizen by government.
- Consultation which involves a two-way communication between government and the citizen.
- Active participation where the citizen actively engages in shaping the policy-making and decision-making processes.
Source: OECD, 2001. Citizens as Partners: OECD Handbook on Information, Consultation and Public Participation in Policy-Making, OECD Publications, France
Other models which are of interest include Sherry Arnstein's Ladder of Participation and David Wilcox's Guide to Effective Participation.
- 1. Choosing an approach that makes sense « You are here
- 2. Matching your ambitions to available eTools