Handbook on Citizen Engagement: Beyond Consultation - SASANet

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Other sectors (non-profit, private, academia, etc.) work from outside of government, and theseefforts are often categorized as advocacy, lobbying or in some cases as expert consultations.While the philosophy and many of the tools of citizen engagement remain the same across thesesectors, different strategies, positions of power and theories of change make it difficult to addressthese vast audiences in one handbook.This handbook speaks directly to those initiating citizen engagement from within government,but will be of use to all those interested in engaging citizens in setting priorities and in makingdecisions.At the time of conception and publication, this handbook was not slated to be translated and sothe experience of citizen engagement in Québec, while vast, has not been included in thehandbook.c) How this handbook was developedIn the summer of 2006, CPRN compiled extensive literature on citizen engagement and publicparticipation in Canada for an international delegation, which was later developed into ALearning Guide to Public Involvement in Canada. 1 Based on this literature, a Table of Contentsfor the proposed handbook was developed, both of which were circulated to key informants forwritten feedback. Approximately 15 interviews were conducted with other key informants. 2Finally, a draft was peer reviewed by three experts in the field of citizen engagement.d) How to use the handbookA detailed Table of Contents provides a quick and easy reference for those seeking informationon a particular subject. Each chapter and section starts with a brief overview of the subject, andcontains a suggested reading list, identifying two or three key resources with web links (whereavailable).Chapter II. What is Citizen Engagement? addresses an important basic question. The conceptof citizen engagement is explored within the context of distinguishing what it is and what it isnot. The underpinning theory of deliberative democracy is sketched, followed by an introductionof some key citizen engagement frameworks and spectrums.Chapter III. Why Citizen Engagement? provides a rationale for citizen engagement in thecurrent Canadian context. It also highlights some of the common criticisms and fears about it(e.g. building false expectations in citizens) and elaborates on the hopes for citizen engagementin renewing current democratic structures.Chapter IV. Institutionalizing Citizen Engagement considers longer-term goals of citizenengagement. While citizen engagement projects are often seen as ad-hoc, one-off endeavors withspecific goals that don’t connect to larger policy agendas, there is growing interest in how toinstitutionalize citizen engagement. This section discusses some approaches toinstitutionalization.Chapter V. Engaging Members of Specific Populations takes a practical look at a majorchallenge of engagement processes – how to engage hard-to-reach populations. Tips areprovided on how to reach those populations whose voices are less often heard.2 CANADIAN POLICY RESEARCH NETWORKS
Chapter VI. Engaging Aboriginal Communities frames citizen engagement as an opportunityfor reconciliation, and looks at the unique opportunities, challenges and historical context ofengaging Aboriginal citizens.Chapter VII. Getting Started sets out a series of steps that should be considered whenembarking on a citizen engagement process, from preparation to giving feedback to participants.Lists of questions, tools for capacity building, tables for matching goals to methods and otherpractical tools are included. Various methods of citizen engagement are presented in table formatwith references.Chapter VIII. Case Examples briefly elaborates five different cases of citizen engagement. Thesection provides a cross section of various degrees of citizen engagement at regional, provincialand federal levels, as well as two examples of institutionalized citizen engagement.Chapter IX. Practical Tips outlines suggestions and considerations from experts in the field.CANADIAN POLICY RESEARCH NETWORKS 3
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