Forests Sourcebook - HCV Resource Network

Table 10.3 Involving the Public in Decision Making
Key Points Advantages Disadvantages
Advisory groups • Task forces: Set up task groups to focus on • Can address highly technical problems • Rarely represents all interested parties
a single technical issue Define the limit of • Help prioritize and reach consensus • May replace wider consultations
the group’s authority and lifetime; ensure • Often focuses too much on procedures
that all interests are represented and that
contact with the public is maintained.
Problem-solving
• Brainstorming: Designed to enhance • Help groups break out of the obvious • Difficult to include a full range of views
techniques creativity and generate ideas quickly • Provide insights for decision making • May yield too many ideas to evaluate
• Selection of the facilitator and
participants is critical.
Consensus-building • Unassisted negotiations, mediation: • Provide a forum for jointly identifying solutions • Not all parties will participate
techniques Voluntary processes by which represen- • Puts responsibility on the disputants to • Parties may drop out before the end
tatives of affected organizations make identify common ground • Requires good faith
decisions by consensus, to be ratified • Can reach robust agreements with broad support • May take too long
by parent organizations. • Can lead to quick resolution of contentious issues • Highly skilled mediators are scarce
• Parties either agree on decision-making
procedures at the outset or use an
experienced mediator.
Arbitration • A process by which conflicting parties • Provides impartiality from an uninvolved party • All parties must stand to gain
seek a solution through an impartial • Is difficult to oppose the arbitrator’s • Difficult to identify an acceptable neutral party
mediator. recommendations
• It can be binding, by prior agreement,
or all sides may reserve judgment until
the outcome.
Source: World Bank 1999: 13.
Note: This table, extensively abridged, was adapted from the World Bank’s The Public Participation Handbook (1996), which contains a full version of the table and extensive supporting text
describing each tool.
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