Public Engagement – Back to Basics

Citizens of a community are ‘engaged’ when they play an effective role in decision making. That means they are actively involved in defining the issues, identifying solutions, and developing priorities for action and resources. A shift from traditional reins of power and trusting that citizens can and will effectively engage in the issues will likely result in a partnership between local officials and citizens that is nearly always healthy for a community. In most municipalities, public engagement is happening. The fact that it is happening is good but how can it be made more effective? Do local officials want to make it more effective? Do the senior management want the same? Do they have a full understanding of what it is and what it entails?This paper will qualify the definition, principles and benefits, as well as challenges, of public engagement from a municipal perspective. Best practices from other municipalities will be outlined and details on various levels of engagement and corresponding tools and techniques to employ will be referenced.Keywords: public engagement, municipality, tools and techniques, best practice