This course looks at effective foundations in public participation and how these can be integrated into the overall project plan. It examines the costs and benefits of engagement, discusses when, why, and how to involve the public in a decision, and emphasizes the importance of both the decision being made and the promise to the public about their involvement in that decision process. It will provide an overview of what decision makers and organizations should know about the public participation practitioner’s role. 

Participants will explore opportunities and benefits of engagement in impact assessment and consideration of climate change issues in particular. The course will draw on case studies developed by the trainer, based on experience in impact assessment in this and related sectors, and will include consideration of mitigation, adaptation and general policy-level approaches – dealing with global impacts, regional contexts, and national/state-based approaches to climate change and impact assessment.

Participants will be asked to submit ideas for case studies – examples regarded as “successful” and also “ineffective” or poor/bad practice. The course will draw out lessons learned from all case studies.

Level:	Intermediate to advanced, though students and graduates can also learn from this course. This course is tailored to those who have existing experience in the field and want to focus on new skills regarding public participation, particularly as it relates to an array of climate change issues including adaptation and mitigation.
Prerequisites:	An understanding of what makes for good practice public participation and a willingness to apply this to a range of techniques
Language:	English
Duration:	2 days (2-3 April)
Price:	US$475
Min/Max:	10-25
Instructor(s):	Tanya Burdett, Essential Planning Ltd and Burdett Associates Pty Ltd (Australia)

 

Throughout her 20+-year career, Tanya Burdett has been involved in over 140 projects, from large scale infrastructure programs and projects such as High Speed Rail proposals in the UK, state-government level engagement programs such as the Infrastructure Strategy Victoria and Regional Network Development Plan engagement program for Public Transport Victoria, to smaller development applications and strategic planning assignments throughout the UK and Asia-Pacific region. Tanya has acted as Project Manager for more than half of the projects she has been involved with, and similarly over half of these projects have required varying levels of stakeholder and community engagement, and strategic communications. Tanya is skilled in program and project management; social impact assessment and community engagement; training, facilitation and capacity building; strategic environmental assessment; sustainability appraisal; environmental impact assessment; and strategic urban and regional planning, research and analysis.