Top Down to Get Bottom Up ?

Prominent weblogger Johnnie Moore has commented on the IAP2 Spectrum adding onto Sean Howard's perspective on it as a tool by saying it is really going the wrong way. But is it a chicken or the egg phenomena? Dr Lyn Carson from the University of Sydney interviewed Larry Susskind on this very topic in a recent edition of the IAP2 Journal of Public Participation. In this article Larry posits the demands in the field to: base recommendations of particular forms of engagement on evidence; justify recommendations and reasonableness of purported outcomes from following them and to deepen the commitment to deliberative democracy wherever we work. Have a read of what Johnnie, Sean and Larry have to say and see where you sit on the Spectrum.

Pre-Conference Training: Q & A

STOP PRESS: Several potential submitters have requested an extension to this date - that request has been addressed and submissions will continue to be received until Tuesday 3rd March 12 NOON GMT. There will be NO further extensions. Please submit to moira@iap2.org

Are you planning a submission to be considered to offer pre-Conference training at this year's international conference in San Diego?

In the interests of fairness and equity to all enquiries here are answers to questions we have had to date:


Q: Are pre-conference presenters required to be members of IAP2?
A: No you are not required to be members

Q: Are they required to register for the conference?
A: If you are staying on for the conference you will be required to register for the conference.

Q: How closely to the theme of the conference do the pre-conference training offerings need to be?
A: The pre-conference training will welcome skills and knowledge transfers that reflect the themes, however this is not essential. What is essential is that it has a skill transfer element or introduces a new tool or technique that enhances public participation.

Q; Can you clarify what you mean by "commercial in confidence" ?
This means IAP2 will not disclose this information to others, it is requested to assist with the assessment process and identify the margins IAP2 may need to consider in the financial modelling and negotiations for this event.

Submissions close on Feb 27th noon GMT to moira@iap2.org and it is a competitive process. See the website for more details on the selection criteria and weighting.