Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Feedback to the community after
consultation is essential.
consultation will be measured. Factors beyond the adoption of recommendations should
be included. Feedback to the community after consultation is essential.
Buying Support
Paying for support may appear attractive in the short term, but this is a short-sighted
approach. The fact that paying money for support is accepted in many developing coun-
tries and used by politicians at all levels, does not legitimize its use. As with any other form
of corruption, it leads to expectations and the development of a repetitive pattern that is
difi cult to end.
On the other hand, many stakeholders, including government representatives and
NGOs, may be unable to participate in community involvement activities unless their
legitimate expenses are met. Accordingly, it is common practice and even mandatory in
some countries, for the project proponent to pay for transport, accommodation per diems
to government (including academic) attendees at public forums, presentations and hear-
ings. This can induce reactions of shock and horror from US-based proponents who are
highly sensitive to any suggestion of corruption, as well they might be considering the pen-
alties that apply in the USA. Another common reaction is 'Why should we pay for Dr X to
attend when we know she is spreading misinformation about our project?'
Offering payment for participation in decision-making by other stakeholders should
also be considered, for those with low incomes. Although occasionally resulting in accu-
sations by anti-mining activists of buying support, this is only fair, and reduces the bar-
riers of i nancial inequality. Expenses should be paid as standard, and it should be borne
in mind that for a 'vulnerable' person the same expense may be more signii cant than for
other participants. Experience shows that payment of reasonable attendance expenses have
absolutely no effect on support for a project from those involved. However, failure to pay
attendance costs in situations where such payments are customary, will inevitably lead to
resentment and distrust.
Many stakeholders may be
unable to participate in community
involvement activities unless their
legitimate expenses are met.
Trying to Please Everyone
It is unrealistic to assume that all stakeholders' interests can be met. At the very least
there will be intractable anti-mining activists who will maintain their opposition regard-
less of the merits of a project. Proponents need to recognize that conl icts are sometimes
inevitable and that some stakeholders may be unreasonable and therefore plan for con-
l ict management and dispute resolution. As mentioned previously, while issues raised by
all stakeholders should be considered, most of the effort should be devoted to those with
legitimate concerns.
Diversity, Interest Groups are not Recognized
A common failure is to overlook
disadvantaged people, minorities
and women, who may be less
accessible for cultural or linguistic
reasons.
It is important to focus attention on stakeholder identii cation, especially of affected peo-
ple and communities, local authorities and decision makers, the media, the scientii c com-
munity, NGOs, and other interested groups or parties. A common failure is to overlook
disadvantaged people, minorities and women, who may be less accessible for cultural
or linguistic reasons. Often the spectrum of participants is kept very narrow (e.g. only
 
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