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IAP2 Federation Framework

The 3 Pillars of
Public Participation

As an international leader in public participation, the IAP2 Federation developed three foundational pillars for effective P2 processes. These pillars cross national, cultural, and religious boundaries, forming the bedrock of inclusive and meaningful engagement.

1 Core Values 2 Code of Ethics 3 Spectrum of P2
01
Pillar One

Core Values for the Practice of Public Participation

IAP2 Canada adheres to the core values developed by the Federation with broad international input. These identify the fundamental aspects of public participation that cross national, cultural, and religious boundaries, helping make better decisions that reflect the interests and concerns of all potentially affected people.

1
Public participation is based on the belief that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
2
Public participation includes the promise that the public's contribution will influence the decision.
3
Public participation promotes sustainable decisions by recognizing and communicating the needs and interests of all participants, including decision makers.
4
Public participation seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision.
5
Public participation seeks input from participants in designing how they participate.
6
Public participation provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
7
Public participation communicates to participants how their input affected the decision.
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Why Core Values Matter

These seven values are the ethical backbone of any public participation process, ensuring that engagement is genuine, inclusive, and leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

7 values
Adopted internationally by P2 practitioners
50+
Countries applying the IAP2 framework
"The purpose of these core values is to help make better decisions which reflect the interests and concerns of potentially affected people and entities."
02
Pillar Two

Code of Ethics for Public Participation Practitioners

The IAP2 Code of Ethics supports and reflects IAP2's Core Values. While the Core Values define expectations for the process, the Code of Ethics speaks to the actions of practitioners. As members of IAP2, we hold ourselves accountable to these principles and strive to maintain the highest standards of integrity in our practice.

Purpose
We support public participation as a process to make better decisions that incorporate the interests and concerns of all affected stakeholders and meet the needs of the decision-making body.
Role of Practitioner
We will enhance the public's participation in the decision-making process and assist decision-makers in being responsive to the public's concerns and suggestions.
Trust
We will undertake and encourage actions that build trust and credibility for the process among all the participants.
Defining the Public's Role
We will carefully consider and accurately portray the public's role in the decision-making process.
Openness
We will encourage the disclosure of all information relevant to the public's understanding and evaluation of a decision.
Access to the Process
We will ensure that stakeholders have fair and equal access to the public participation process and the opportunity to influence decisions.
Respect for Communities
We will avoid strategies that risk polarizing community interests or that appear to divide and conquer.
Advocacy
We will advocate for the public participation process and will not advocate for any interest, party, or project outcome.
Commitments
We ensure that all commitments made to the public, including those by the decision-maker, are made in good faith.
Support of the Practice
We will mentor new practitioners in the field and educate decision-makers and the public about the value and use of public participation.
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03
Pillar Three

Spectrum of Public Participation

IAP2's Spectrum of Public Participation was designed to assist with the selection of the level of participation that defines the public's role in any public participation process. The Spectrum is used internationally and is found in many public participation plans. It defines five distinct levels, each representing a different degree of public influence over the final decision.

Inform
Goal
To provide the public with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities, and/or solutions.
Consult
Goal
To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives, and/or decisions. We will keep the public informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns, and provide feedback on how input influenced the decision.
Involve
Goal
To work directly with the public throughout the process to ensure that concerns and aspirations are consistently understood and considered.
Collaborate
Goal
To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision including the development of alternatives and the identification of the preferred solution.
Empower
Goal
To place final decision making in the hands of the public. We will implement what the public decides.
Lower Public Influence
One-way communication
Higher Public Influence
Shared decision making
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The IAP2 Core Values, Code of Ethics, and Spectrum of P2 are copyright-protected materials of the IAP2 Federation. Contact the IAP2 Federation for permission before reproducing or using these materials in your own work or publications.
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