The Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Listen

MANAGING RADIOACTIVE WASTE SAFELY

Chapter Five: key considerations

5.1 Participants in the study generated a great many ideas, based on their general experience and on their expert knowledge. They also raised some important questions to be considered in any engagement process. This section explores the most important themes that were identified:

• reasons for engagement
• rules of engagement
• issues and opportunities in engagement
• methods and processes
• necessary support
• resource implications

5.2 Participants' experience has been used to develop a framework for engagement (Figure 5.1). This will enable decision-makers to identify the most important elements for consideration when engaging the public. This provides the framework for the literature review. There are a series of questions to be posed in initiating any engagement process:

• Why involve the public? If decision-makers do not see engagement as valid, they will need to engage in a dialogue to explain the reasons for that decision. This in itself initiates an engagement process. It is therefore feasible to decide 'no', as realistically meaning 'not yet'. This research highlights a strong level of interest from the public in engaging with people around long-term and difficult decisions. This can legitimate decision-making processes.

• What are the implications of engagement? One of the first issues identified by participants and interviewees was a lack of trust in decision-making processes. Many felt that this was a result of experience where feedback was not given, they did not know if they had influenced policy and they did not know why the final decision had been taken. Interviewees all felt that effective engagement needed information that could be trusted. Some felt that it is important that engagement shows different expert opinions about possible options and that it recognises that those engaging will also change as they learn through the process.

• Do bodies organising engagement processes expect to learn? Some cynicism was expressed about the constant 'reinvention of the wheel'. Interviewees pointed to the importance of not only responding to participants views and interests, but also of ensuring that experience was fed in to any continuing engagement process.

• Is there a commitment in the long-term? All of those interviewed identified the importance of continuing to inform and involve people, enabling them to engage if they wish. This is an important element of whatever process is undertaken.

• What can the engagement process do or not do? Honesty about the possibilities of the engagement process was seen as an essential element of engagement. Some of the confusion identified in this area was based on conflicting legislation, so that consultation might be obligatory when the ability to influence the decision does not exist.

• Is the purpose of the engagement clear? Techniques and processes for engagement can determine the outcome of the engagement. It is important that methodologies are open enough to challenge underlying assumptions (of all participants) and benefit from the learning process that they initiate.

• What is the difference between process and practice? Engagement involves a process of consent, from those who are undertaking it and from those who are participating in it. By its nature it involves people in developing more understanding of the issues and opportunities involved. It is thus important to recognise the fact that the techniques used will stimulate a different level of knowledge and understanding, that the process involved provides a learning opportunity to change the shape of the engagement, potentially requiring new techniques to deal with this. To a great extent process is practice.

• Who should be involved? One of the main findings of this study has been the level of trust that people have in NGOs or organisations seen as independent of the decision making process. This poses particular questions to those organisations about the nature of their engagement in decision-making processes. Their ability to influence policy from outside of the policy-making process is an important element of their perceived independence. Is it possible that they can participate in a dialogue with the public and decision-makers and continue to be seen as independent?

• Where can people access public information? The importance of information for any engagement process was reflected across the focus groups and interviews. People felt that engagement demands clear, understandable and full information. Information provided by the government and the industry was generally viewed with suspicion. Independent information from NGOs was felt to be more balanced by some participants, although others felt that it was presented for the organisations' agendas rather than for balance. The majority of participants felt coverage by the media was generally sensationalist and often misleading. Media interviewees agreed that some reporting could be inaccurate, but also noted that it could be difficult to report seriously even in the broadsheets. Overall participants felt that any information provided needs to reflect some of the different views of experts, allowing those involved to feel that they are building a better understanding of the issues, so that they can engage more effectively.

Summary of questions

Figure 5.1 Engaging the public: a framework for engagement

« Previous | Contents | Next »