214 Ecology and Applied Environmental Science
It is useful for those responsible for decision making and the ones who
carry out the studies to be trained in relation to the way of approaching the
public and answering questions and comments. They also need training in
relation to dealing with special problems, such as, e.g. aggressive behaviour
of some participants or apathy or non-active participation of some others.
The project should be explained in such a way as to be easily understood
by lay people. The best way is the use of examples from everyday life. The
information presented should be of good quality, complete, easily understood and accessible to the public. It is important for the public to have a
good comprehension of the proposal. This goal is served by a non-technical
summary. It is also important to use many speakers and presentation techniques, e.g. colour images and figures.
The participative procedure:
• Should allow the possibility to present alternative solutions or changes
to the plans, and offer terms for the realization of these changes
• Does not always end up in general agreement about what should be
done and does not exclude the possibility that the authorities might
make an opposing or unpopular decision
• May give rise to discussions and disputes that are not related to the
object of deliberation
• Usually causes delays in the advancement of works and projects, but
may avert longer delays, such as litigation, and it may offer important
long-term benefits
The participative procedure should not end with the decision making. It is
useful to maintain a dialogue with the public even after accomplishment of
the work. Feedback is needed in order to show to the public that its comments were taken into consideration. If the final decision is different from
the local inhabitants’ preferences, it is important for them to understand
why it was made, e.g. because a larger social interest prevailed.
It is useful for those responsible for decision making and the ones who
carry out the studies to be trained in relation to the way of approaching the
public and answering questions and comments. They also need training in
relation to dealing with special problems, such as, e.g. aggressive behaviour
of some participants or apathy or non-active participation of some others.
The project should be explained in such a way as to be easily understood
by lay people. The best way is the use of examples from everyday life. The
information presented should be of good quality, complete, easily understood and accessible to the public. It is important for the public to have a
good comprehension of the proposal. This goal is served by a non-technical
summary. It is also important to use many speakers and presentation techniques, e.g. colour images and figures.
The participative procedure:
• Should allow the possibility to present alternative solutions or changes
to the plans, and offer terms for the realization of these changes
• Does not always end up in general agreement about what should be
done and does not exclude the possibility that the authorities might
make an opposing or unpopular decision
• May give rise to discussions and disputes that are not related to the
object of deliberation
• Usually causes delays in the advancement of works and projects, but
may avert longer delays, such as litigation, and it may offer important
long-term benefits
The participative procedure should not end with the decision making. It is
useful to maintain a dialogue with the public even after accomplishment of
the work. Feedback is needed in order to show to the public that its comments were taken into consideration. If the final decision is different from
the local inhabitants’ preferences, it is important for them to understand
why it was made, e.g. because a larger social interest prevailed.