IAP2 Australasia Writes to Australian Prime Minister

This letter has been sent by IAP2 Australasia to the Australian Prime Minister, Victorian Premier, relevant Local Councils and Departmental CEOs.

On behalf of all of the Australasian members of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) I want to express our support for you and your community members in this time of challenge and tragedy as fire cuts through the glorious heart of Victoria.

Words and good wishes may be of little comfort in these moments, but in the next few months we know that you and your communities will have important decisions to make as part of the recovery process from these fires and the mitigation process for the next fires.

This week we have asked our members to indicate their interest in volunteering to provide our unique brand of support to your communities if and when you need it. Helping organisations make good decisions with their stakeholders and communities is something the members of the IAP2 are very experienced in, helping organisations make tough decisions with their stakeholders and communities sits at the heart of our practice.

Recently many of our members were part of the engine room behind the Citizens’ Parliament.In making this offer we have joined with our friends and colleagues from the Australasian Facilitators Network to volunteer to offer support in helping you work with your communities to make their decisions, plans and policies for the future. The idea to offer support was inspired by one of our members Cliff Overton. Normally a planning and engagement specialist with the CFA, this week, Cliff was an “on the truck” firefighter, at the centre of the fight. We know that the moment for that need is not now. But we are ready when you do need us.

We are happy to coordinate any request for help and link that request with one of our volunteer practitioners and facilitators. Please don’t hesitate to ask. Call our Australasian Vice President, who is a local from Melbourne, Kimbra White on 0438 435 939 or contact me on pres@iap2.org.au .

There are people across IAP2 Australasia willing to give you a hand. Our New Zealand members would say kia kaha (be strong), our Australian members would say we are with you.

Kind Regards

Anne Pattillo

President IAP2 Australasia