The Public Participation Handbook
Chapter One
DEFINING WHAT PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION IS (AND IS NOT)
Public participation is the process by which public concerns, needs, and values
are incorporated into governmental and corporate decision making. It is two-way
communication and interaction, with the overall goal of better decisions that
are supported by the public.
I have surveyed other definitions of public participation and find that most
include at least these elements:
Public participation applies to administrative decisions-that is, those typically
made by agencies (and sometimes by private organizations), not elected officials
or judges.
Public participation is not just providing information to the public. There is
interaction between the organization making the decision and people who want
to participate.
There is an organized process for involving the public. It is not something that
happens accidentally or coincidentally.
The participants have some level of impact or influence on the decision being
made.
The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) approaches the
definition of public participation by defining core values of public participation,
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