IAP2 Canada / AIP2 Canada News & Updates - Blog

Language Matters in Public Participation and Engagement

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:05:00 GMT

A Canada-Focused Annotated Summary and Reading Pack for IAP2 Canada Members

Prepared for the IAP2 Canada Research Committee 2026

Briefing Summary for IAP2 Practitioners

Why this matters

Language is not neutral in public participation — it is a core engagement method that shapes:

Trust and credibility
Inclusion and accessibility
Power relationships and legitimacy
The quality of participation outcomes

Across Canadian research and practice, outdated or inaccurate language can:

Exclude, other or stigmatize participants
Misrepresent legal and relational realities (particularly with Indigenous peoples)
Reduce clarity and participation (through jargon or bureaucratic language)

What this means for practice

Effective engagement language in Canada should be:

✔Inclusive – reflects how people identify and avoids deficit framing
✔Plain – removes jargon and supports accessibility
✔Rights-based – accurately reflects Indigenous rights and relationships
✔Aligned to intent – consistent with the level of participation promised (IAP2 Spectrum)

Three current priority shifts for IAP2 practitioners

From “stakeholders” → “rights holders / communities / participants”
Especially critical in Indigenous engagement contexts
From deficit framing → systems-aware language
(“hard-to-reach” → “facing barriers to participation”)
From jargon → plain language
Clarity is not simplification — it is accessibility and inclusion

Reading pack

This resource is designed to support:

Engagement planning and strategy development
Review of public-facing materials
Facilitation and real-time language choices
Justification of language decisions to clients, leadership, and partners

Purpose

This reading pack synthesizes Canadian peer-reviewed research, government guidance, and professional practice resources addressing outdated, exclusionary, or inaccurate language in public participation and stakeholder engagement. The focus is on inclusive, plain, and rights-based terminology, with particular attention to Indigenous engagement.

A. Canadian “Words Matter” and Inclusive Language Resources

BC Public Service. (n.d.). Words Matter: Guidelines on Using Inclusive Language in the Workplace.
Annotation: A foundational Canadian guide widely used across public-sector organizations. Provides concrete examples of outdated or exclusionary terms, explains why they cause harm or exclusion, and offers preferred alternatives. Particularly useful for engagement practitioners reviewing materials, facilitation scripts, and reports.

BC Public Service. (n.d.). Words Matter: Speaking Up for Inclusion.
Annotation: Companion guidance focused on how to respond when outdated or harmful language is used in meetings or written materials. Especially relevant for facilitators and engagement leads managing live public forums.

BC Government. (n.d.). Inclusive language and terms (web hub).
Annotation: Central hub linking inclusive language, Indigenous content guidance, and modernization resources. Useful as an authoritative reference point when justifying language changes in engagement practice.

BC Government. (n.d.). Modernizing Language.
Annotation: Provides practical ‘replace-this-with-that’ examples for modern public communication. Supports the argument that language modernization is an operational requirement, not merely a stylistic choice.

B. Indigenous Engagement Language and Terminology (Canada)

Natural Resources Canada. (n.d.). Summary of Engagement with Indigenous Partners.
Annotation: Explicitly distinguishes Indigenous peoples as rights holders rather than stakeholders. Provides a strong, quotable federal practice example for engagement teams revising terminology.

Engineers Canada. (2019). Guideline on Indigenous Consultation and Engagement.
Annotation: Defines stakeholders versus rights holders within a Section 35 constitutional context. Although sector-specific, the guidance is broadly applicable to public participation and engagement.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. (n.d.). Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult.
Annotation: Authoritative federal guidance grounding consultation language in constitutional and legal obligations. Supports the shift from transactional engagement language to relationship-based terminology.

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. (n.d.). Public Participation Framework.
Annotation: Positions plain language and accessible communication as core components of meaningful public participation, reinforcing language as engagement infrastructure.

Department of Justice Canada. (2021). United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Annotation: Provides legislative context for rights-based engagement language and the evolving expectations placed on public institutions in Canada.

C. Peer-Reviewed and Scholarly Canadian Literature

Sullivan, R. (2001). The promise of plain language drafting. McGill Law Journal.
Annotation: Seminal Canadian legal scholarship linking plain language to democratic participation, accessibility, and legitimacy. Frequently cited to justify clarity as a public obligation.

Bowker, L. (2020). Plain language summaries: A case study. Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science.
Annotation: Empirical Canadian research demonstrating how plain-language approaches improve comprehension and accessibility, with clear transferability to public engagement contexts.

Seck, S. L. (2017). Impact assessment and responsible business conduct. Dalhousie Law Journal.
Annotation: Scholarly analysis emphasizing the distinction between stakeholders and rights holders in impact assessment and engagement processes.

Miroshnikova, G. (2018). An evaluation of public participation theory and practice in Canada. University of Waterloo.
Annotation: Canadian academic work examining gaps between participation theory and practice, including communication and language barriers.

Stallwood, L. et al. (2023). Plain-language versus standard-format information: A randomized trial. JAMA Pediatrics.
Annotation: Although health-focused, this study provides strong empirical evidence that plain language improves understanding—supporting claims about accessibility in public engagement materials.

D. One-Page Reference Table: Outdated Terms and Preferred Alternatives (IAP2 Practice)

Outdated / Problematic Term	Why It Is Problematic in Engagement	Preferred Alternative
Stakeholders (Indigenous contexts)	Misrepresents constitutional rights	Rights holders; Indigenous Nations
Hard-to-reach populations	Deficit framing	Communities facing barriers
The public	Homogenizes diverse groups	Residents; affected communities
Buy-in	Implies persuasion	Shared understanding; collaboration
Consultation (generic)	Obscures level of influence	Engagement; co-design
Educate the public	Top-down framing	Dialogue; shared learning
Vulnerable populations	Labels people	People experiencing vulnerability
Jargon-heavy language	Reduces accessibility	Plain-language communication

E. Suggested Reading List for IAP2 Practitioners

Essential (Start Here)

BC Public Service – Words Matter (Guidelines)
Engineers Canada – Indigenous Consultation and Engagement
NRCan – Indigenous Engagement Summary

Use these for immediate practice changes

Core Practice & Policy

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada – Public Participation Framework
CIRNAC – Duty to Consult Guidelines
BC Government – Modernizing Language

Use these for policy alignment and justification

Research & Evidence Base

Sullivan (2001) – Plain Language Drafting
Bowker (2020) – Plain Language Case Study
Seck (2017) – Rights Holders vs Stakeholders

Use these for reports, academic grounding, and credibility

Advanced / Reflective Practice

Miroshnikova (2018)
Stallwood et al. (2023)

Use these for deepening practice and research-informed engagement design

Final Note for IAP2 Members

Language choices signal intent, shape relationships, and influence outcomes.
In public participation, how we speak and communicate is part of how we engage.

Spectrum Update

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:16:55 GMT

In October 2025, IAP2 International as the Spectrum owner is now leading the process to chart our way forward to complete the Spectrum Evolution project. We intend to do so in a way that models best practices and our Core Values and provides the project with the approach and expertise it needs specific to its remaining work.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest to participate in the Project Team to update IAP2’s Spectrum in Public Participation/Engagement. We are looking for a broad representation globally. A modest stipend is offered to acknowledge contributions made.

The project is expected to run from January to May/June 2026, as outlined in this timeline.

By submitting an Expression of Interest, applicants are committing to be available to carry out the work as outlined. The timeline takes a pragmatic and determined approach for the amount of work involved.

The Project Team will be led by IAP2 International’s Project Manager, Tiffany Skomro. To keep the team nimble and to allow for the work to be completed in a timely manner, the global team will comprise 3-4 members, including the Project Manager. One (1) member from the current Curriculum Review team will be part of the project team to ensure that the work is integrated.

We invite you to share this call for Project Team members trainers, M/CP3s and other experienced P2/engagement practitioners who meet the required criteria. Responses are due by 8 January 2026, 13:00 CST.

2025 IAP2 Canada State of the Practice Survey

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:32:49 GMT

Public participation is constantly evolving and we want to understand how.

The 2025 IAP2 Canada State of the Practice Survey explores what’s working, what’s shifting, and what’s needed next in engagement across Canada. Whether you’re new to the field or have decades of experience, your perspective matters.

Your responses will help shape future IAP2 Canada articles, webinars, and conversations that reflect the real work practitioners are doing every day. Grab a cup of something cozy and take 10–12 minutes to share your experience!

The survey closes December 7, 2025 (midnight local time).

Take the survey here

What is this survey about?

The 2025 IAP2 Canada State of the Practice Survey explores how public participation and engagement are evolving across the country – what’s working, what’s shifting, and what’s needed next.

Your responses will help IAP2 Canada and the Research Committee create articles, webinars, and conversations that reflect the real experiences of practitioners doing this work every day.

Who’s involved?

This survey is being coordinated by the IAP2 Canada Research Committee and distributed through IAP2 Canada’s national and regional networks.

We’re inviting public participation and engagement practitioners across Canada – including government staff, consultants, community organizers, and academics – to share their experiences and insights.

Why does this matter?

Public participation is always changing – from how we reach people to how we build trust and inclusion. By gathering stories and data from across the country, we can better understand the realities and innovations shaping our field and help practitioners learn from one another.

BC Transit Honoured for Excellence in Visual Engagement

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:50:56 GMT

MEDIA STORY

BC Transit has earned the 2025 IAP2 Canada Core Values Award for Visual Engagement, recognizing its creative and accessible approach to public participation. The award acknowledges how BC Transit has transformed engagement through clear, visual communication that connects directly with communities.

As a provincial Crown agency, BC Transit provides public transportation to more than 130 communities across British Columbia. The handyDART service in particular stood out for its visual tools that helped participants understand and shape service improvements for people with disabilities.

“Winning this IAP2 award recognizes both BC Transit’s commitment to public engagement and the community’s passion and dedication to having local perspectives reflected in transit projects,” said Erinn Pinkerton, President and CEO of BC Transit. “The handyDART project has become an example for how BC Transit can work in partnership with the community and confirms that meaningful public engagement is the foundation of success.”

The project has since become a model for how accessibility and engagement can work hand in hand. It shows how listening, visual storytelling and collaboration can create services that reflect the needs of everyone in the community.

IAP2 Canada congratulates BC Transit on this recognition and its commitment to making engagement open, inclusive and understandable for all residents.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

Urban Strategies Recognized for Leadership in Diversity, Inclusion and Culture

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:50:29 GMT

MEDIA STORY

Urban Strategies Inc. has been recognized by IAP2 Canada with the 2025 Core Values Award for Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture. The award celebrates organizations that make space for diverse voices and build engagement processes that reflect the communities they serve.

The Toronto, Hamilton and Vancouver-based firm has built its reputation on meaningful collaboration. Urban Strategies brings together planners, designers and community partners to find creative ways to shape better cities. The company’s work balances design and participation, bringing forward solutions that respect both place and people.

“While Urban Strategies was critical to the success of JFM+, it would not have been possible without the dedication of the Engagement Leadership Team and more than fifteen Community Animators representing a cross-section of the local community. We deeply thank this local engagement team and the many participants who were incredibly generous, passionate and constructive with their contributions,” shared the Urban Strategies team.

Through projects like JFM+, the firm continues to model engagement that is grounded in inclusion, transparency and respect for culture and place. This recognition from IAP2 Canada highlights their dedication to authentic, community-led collaboration.

IAP2 Canada’s Core Values Awards honour the organizations and practitioners who raise the standard for public participation across the country.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

Squamish Nation Receives Three IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:49:52 GMT

MEDIA STORY

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has received three honours from IAP2 Canada: the Indigenous Engagement Award, the Creativity, Contribution and Innovation in the Field Award, and the Project of the Year Award. These awards recognize the Nation’s groundbreaking work on the Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan.

The plan was created as a long-term vision rooted in the values, history and future aspirations of the Squamish People. It represents a generational approach to planning that blends traditional knowledge with modern tools to guide governance, community development and self-determination.

“We are so proud of our Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan. In the words of our Council Chair, Khelsilem, this plan is more than a document. It is a legacy rooted in our values, aspirations and commitment to collective progress and empowerment of our People for generations to come,” said Ruby Carrico, Planning Manager, Squamish Nation.

With more than 4,100 members, the Squamish Nation continues to lead through innovation and community-based planning. The Nation’s work demonstrates the power of engagement that is driven by culture, respect and sovereignty.

IAP2 Canada is proud to honour the Squamish Nation for its leadership in building meaningful, inclusive and generational engagement across its territory.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

City of Edmonton Named IAP2 Canada’s 2025 Organization of the Year

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:49:27 GMT

MEDIA STORY

The City of Edmonton has been named IAP2 Canada’s 2025 Organization of the Year. The award celebrates the city’s commitment to building a culture where public participation is part of everyday decision-making.

Edmonton is one of Canada’s youngest and fastest-growing cities, home to more than one million people who speak over 125 languages. The City delivers more than 300 programs and services, touching nearly every aspect of community life. Public engagement is not just a program within the organization but a mindset shared by every department and team.

“This award belongs to all Edmontonians, who have shared their diverse voices. Edmonton is a great place to live, work and play. A cornerstone to shaping our city has been the City's past and present dedicated engagement professionals who lead with purpose and passion. Thank you, IAP2 Canada for recognizing Edmonton's collective dedication to enabling a better life for all Edmontonians,” said Jennifer Badry, Interim Chief Communications Officer for the City of Edmonton.

The City’s approach reflects a belief that good governance depends on open dialogue and shared responsibility. Its engagement teams continue to find ways to connect residents, strengthen trust and include more perspectives in shaping the future of Edmonton.

IAP2 Canada congratulates the City of Edmonton for its leadership in creating a city where engagement and collaboration thrive.

For media inquiries, please contact info@iap2canada.ca.

The Ethical Use of AI in Public Participation and Engagement

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:48:42 GMT

The Ethical Use of AI in Public Participation and Engagement

Artificial intelligence is no longer an idea for the future. It is already part of daily life. We see it in search engines, translation tools, chatbots, and software that helps us process data. For those who work in public participation and engagement, AI brings new opportunities and new risks.

At IAP2 Canada, our work is built on trust, respect, equity, and transparency. These values guide every decision about how we involve people in shaping policies, programs, and projects. As AI tools become more common in engagement, we need to use them in ways that strengthen those values.

This article explores how AI intersects with public participation. It looks at opportunities, risks, and practical steps for ethical use.

What We Mean by AI

AI is a broad term. At its core, it describes computer systems designed to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, and making predictions.

The type of AI most people know is generative AI. It creates text, images, audio, and video by remixing data it was trained on. Large language models, like ChatGPT, predict the next word in a sentence based on patterns learned from billions of examples. Other tools process images, recognize speech, or translate between languages.

It is important to remember that AI does not think like a person. It produces outputs based on patterns in its training data. These outputs can be useful, but they can also be inaccurate or biased.

Opportunities AI Brings to Participation

AI can help practitioners with several parts of the engagement process:

Research and Planning

AI-assisted search tools can scan large amounts of information and provide summaries in plain language.
Data mining can reveal trends that help tailor engagement strategies.
Generative AI can help draft discussion guides, surveys, or agendas.

Communications

Translation tools make information available in more languages.
Voice-to-text and text-to-speech tools improve accessibility for people with hearing or vision needs.
Generative AI can help draft early versions of press releases or plain language summaries.

Dialogue and Interaction

AI moderation tools can flag harmful language in online forums.
Chatbots can answer common questions from participants and support dialogue by keeping conversations active.
Real-time translation and transcription can help more people participate in meetings.

Analysis and Decision Support

Natural language processing tools can analyze thousands of comments, survey responses, or transcripts to identify themes.
Sentiment analysis can reveal how communities feel about proposals.
AI forecasting tools can support planners and decision makers with projections.

These uses can help practitioners save time, reach more people, and make engagement more inclusive.

Ethical Risks and Uncertainties

The promise of AI comes with serious risks. Practitioners need to understand them before adopting any tool.

Bias and Fairness

AI systems learn from data, and data often reflects social and cultural biases. Many AI systems are trained on data that is WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic). This means they may not work well for communities outside those contexts. If not checked, AI outputs can reinforce stereotypes and exclude marginalized groups (Norori et al., 2021, as cited in Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Reliability and Accuracy

Generative AI tools often produce outputs that are wrong but sound convincing. These errors are sometimes called hallucinations. In engagement, this can spread misinformation or reduce confidence in the process.

Transparency and Trust

Participants deserve to know when AI is being used. Lack of clarity can erode trust. If people believe their input is being filtered or analyzed by a “black box,” they may disengage.

Privacy and Security

Many AI tools require uploading data to commercial systems. This creates risks around data ownership, consent, and protection. Sensitive community information should never be shared with tools that lack clear safeguards.

Human Connection

Participation is built on dialogue, empathy, and relationships. Over-reliance on AI can reduce the human contact that makes engagement meaningful.

Synthetic Participation

Some researchers are experimenting with replacing human participants with “virtual publics” created by large language models. This idea, sometimes called synthetic democracy, risks undermining real voices. Public participation is about people, not simulations (Crockett & Messeri, 2023, as cited in Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Environmental and Social Impacts

AI also has impacts beyond the engagement process. Training and running large models requires massive energy, contributing to environmental harm. Behind many tools is low-wage labor in the Global South, where workers label data under poor conditions (Taylor, 2023, as cited in Boyco & Robinson, 2024). Practitioners need to be aware of these hidden costs when making choices about AI.

Practical Guidance for Practitioners

IAP2’s Core Values and Code of Ethics provide a foundation for thinking about AI. Here are practical steps for ethical use:

Be transparent. Always disclose when and how AI is being used. Give participants a choice to engage through other means.
Protect privacy. Never upload sensitive information into AI systems without safeguards. Check your organization’s policies.
Evaluate bias. Review outputs for fairness. Consider how use of the tool might reinforce inequities or exclude some voices.
Keep people in the loop. Use AI to support analysis, not to make decisions. Human judgment must always guide outcomes.
Build trust. Only use AI if it adds value to the process and strengthens relationships with participants.
Test and verify. Treat AI outputs as drafts. Check their accuracy before sharing them.
Avoid overreliance. Do not let AI replace your own thinking or creativity.
Choose tools carefully. Look for reliable, appropriate, and context-sensitive tools. Be skeptical of hype.

These steps align with international guidelines, but also reflect the unique responsibilities of public participation professionals (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

The Future of AI in Public Participation

AI will continue to evolve quickly. We will see more tools integrated into platforms we already use, from survey software to digital engagement portals. We will also see more pressure to use AI for efficiency in times of budget cuts.

Practitioners need to resist shortcuts that compromise integrity. Good engagement takes time and human effort. There are no replacements for listening, dialogue, and trust building.

IAP2 Canada encourages practitioners to take an active role in shaping how AI is used. This means asking critical questions, sharing experiences, and learning from each other. It also means advocating for public input in how AI tools themselves are designed and governed (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Key Takeaways

AI offers real opportunities to improve participation through translation, accessibility, analysis, and planning.
Serious risks include bias, inaccuracy, privacy concerns, and the loss of human connection.
Practitioners must use AI carefully, with transparency, accountability, and human oversight.
Decisions should never be automated. Public participation is about people, not machines.
The goal is not to replace engagement with AI, but to use it responsibly to support more inclusive and effective processes (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Public participation strengthens democracy. AI will shape its future, but values must come first. Respect, inclusion, transparency, and accountability are the anchors. With these in place, AI can help us listen better, reach further, and involve more people in decisions that affect their lives (Boyco & Robinson, 2024).

Reference

Boyco, M., & Robinson, P. (2024). Artificial Intelligence: Its potential and ethics in the practice of public participation. International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada. https://cdn.wildapricot.com/44479/resources/Documents/RESEARCH/Artificial%20Intelligence%20-%20IAP2%20Canada%20-%20April%202024%20FINAL3.pdf

-Patrick McKeown is a digital marketing and technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in the web industry. He has worked with global brands, government organizations, and non-profits, specializing in SEO, digital strategy, and content development. Currently, he leads marketing and IT initiatives for IAP2 Canada, where he focuses on building engagement, expanding digital presence, and shaping the organization’s strategic direction. *The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of IAP2 Canada.

Exploring AI's Role in Public Participation – Insights from a New Research Paper

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:33:59 GMT

The recent research paper "Artificial Intelligence: Its Potential and Ethics in the Practice of Public Participation" by Morgan Boyco MCIP RPP, and Dr. Pamela Robinson MCIP RPP offers a comprehensive look at how AI can shape public participation practices. As AI tools like ChatGPT become more accessible, it's crucial to understand both their potential benefits and inherent risks. This article summarizes key findings and insights from the paper.

Understanding AI's Potential in Public Participation

The paper identifies several areas where AI can enhance public participation (P2) processes:

Research and Planning: AI can streamline background research and planning, utilizing AI-assisted web searches and data analysis to craft more informed engagement strategies.

Communications: Generative AI can expedite the creation of text-based content like press releases and reports, while multimodal AI tools can produce multimedia content that enhances the accessibility and engagement of communication efforts.

Interaction and Dialogue: AI tools can support moderation and provide real-time feedback in digital engagement platforms, facilitating more effective and inclusive dialogues.

Analysis and Decision Support: AI has the potential to analyze large volumes of community feedback and support decision-making processes in urban planning and other civic engagements.

Addressing the Risks and Ethical Considerations

Despite the promising applications, the paper does not shy away from addressing the significant risks associated with AI:

Bias and Inaccuracy: AI systems may perpetuate biases present in their training data, leading to unfair treatment of certain groups and inaccurate information.

Privacy and Security: The potential for AI to inadvertently leak sensitive information poses serious privacy risks.

Overreliance on Technology: There's a concern that excessive reliance on AI could undermine human elements crucial in P2 processes, such as empathy and ethical judgment.

Ethical Framework for AI Use in Public Participation

The authors propose an ethical framework to guide P2 practitioners in responsibly integrating AI tools. Key recommendations include:

Awareness and Accountability: Practitioners must be aware of the risks and remain accountable for the outcomes of AI tools.

Promoting Equity: Efforts should be made to identify and mitigate biases in AI outputs to ensure equitable outcomes.

Transparency: Practitioners should be transparent about the use of AI and open to alternative participation methods.

Human Oversight: Decisions should always involve human judgment to prevent overautomation and preserve democratic integrity.

The Future of AI in P2

Looking ahead, the paper stresses the importance of balancing the efficiency and innovation offered by AI with the need to maintain integrity and inclusivity in public participation. As AI technologies evolve, P2 professionals must stay informed and critical of how these tools are implemented within their practices.

Conclusion

The research paper by Boyco and Robinson is a vital resource for anyone involved in public participation. It highlights the transformative potential of AI while cautioning against its unmonitored use. As we continue to integrate these technologies, maintaining a focus on ethics, equity, and human oversight will be crucial to harnessing AI's benefits without compromising the foundational values of public participation.

Access the research paper
Access the webinar on demand (Member’s only)

Consider joining Morgan, Pamela, and your fellow P2 professionals at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference, taking place from October 24-26, for a pre-conference workshop on AI to share experiences, ethical quandaries, and all other big questions about AI for P2 and help lay the groundwork for building a new AI P2 community of practice.

Building Authentic Engagement at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:30:32 GMT

Are you ready to dive into the future of public participation and engagement? Join us at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference for discussions led by dynamic speakers on innovative approaches to community relations. This must-attend event is for those eager to stay ahead in the evolving field of public participation.

These sessions are just a few of the amazing learning experiences you can expect at #IAP2NAC:

Navigating the Future with AI: A Deep Dive with Morgan Boyco & Dr. Pamela Robinson

Join Morgan Boyco and Dr. Pamela Robinson as they explore the vast potential of AI in public participation. Their session, "Artificial Intelligence: Its Potential and Ethics in Public Participation Practice," is a deep dive into AI's transformative power and ethical considerations. Engage with two forward-thinking minds as they discuss how AI can enhance engagement processes and the importance of responsible AI policies.

Embracing Diversity: Culturally Responsive Engagement Strategies

Explore inclusive strategies at the session led by Olivia Howard, Amanda Krumins Somkuti, Lyndsay Ward, and Maral Hamayeli. "Beyond Eurocentric Engagement: Culturally Responsive Approaches to Community Engagement" will provide tools and insights to effectively navigate culturally diverse environments and foster genuine connections within communities.

Empowering Every Voice: Engaging Persons with Disabilities

Christine Furtado, Luke Anderson, Ron Buling, and Shawn Smith will challenge norms and empower the voices of persons with disabilities. Their panel discussion “Breaking Barriers: Panel Discussion on Engaging Persons with Disabilities” is more than a session; it's a catalyst for change, providing strategic insights to make engagement genuinely inclusive.

Building Bridges: Indigenous Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility

Katlan Holman and Caoimhe Laird's session is “Building Authenticity Skills and Practices for Corporate Social Responsibility & Indigenous Engagement”. Attendees will learn how to build sustainable and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, ensuring a legacy of responsible corporate conduct intertwined with Indigenous wisdom.

Laying the Foundations: Trust and Engagement in Transit Infrastructure

Join Lauren Reaman and Avril Fisken as they lead a revolutionary session, “Building Trust, Building Acceptance and Building Transit Infrastructure”. Learn cutting-edge engagement techniques and how to integrate community feedback effectively to enhance public transit projects.

Collaborative Innovations in Affordable Housing (Simultaneous translation available)

Join CMHC for a dynamic fireside chat titled "Practices for Community-led Design and Development of Affordable Housing in Canada." This session will showcase successful community co-design and governance projects, offering participants insights from field pioneers, real-time method demonstrations, and guidance on applying these practices in their own communities.

Join us at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference to be at the forefront of these critical conversations. Register now and be part of shaping the future of public participation.

Building Trust through Inclusive Public Engagement: Lessons from Ottawa's Waste Management Planning

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:24:29 GMT

Effective public engagement is crucial in urban planning and governance, particularly in projects like Ottawa's Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP). This initiative highlights how an inclusive engagement process can build trust, ensure transparency, and encourage collaboration between city officials and residents. Ottawa’s approach, which earned them the 2023 Respect for Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture Award from IAP2 Canada, involved embracing diversity and equitable representation. This commitment allowed the community to play a significant role in reshaping the city's waste management strategies, demonstrating the profound impact of inclusivity in public policy development.

The Cornerstone of Public Engagement in Ottawa's SWMP Development

Starting in 2019, Ottawa undertook a significant overhaul of its SWMP with a clear goal: align waste management strategies with sustainability goals and community needs. Central to this initiative was creating multiple platforms for dialogue. The city launched surveys across a variety of languages, including French and English, to ensure wide accessibility and conducted virtual dialogue sessions for deeper community involvement. Focus groups specifically aimed to include voices from marginalized and equity-seeking communities, ensuring that policies reflected the diverse needs and values across Ottawa.

A Tapestry of Voices: Incorporating Diverse Community Feedback

The development of the SWMP was rooted in the principle that all community perspectives are vital. Ottawa's strategy involved extensive outreach to gather varied insights from its culturally diverse population. The city's commitment to inclusivity led to a rich collection of feedback that illuminated various community needs and aspirations, significantly shaping the final waste management strategies.

Innovative Practices and Lessons Learned

Two innovative practices stood out in Ottawa's public engagement process: tailored communication materials and the strategic use of honoraria use of multilingual content. Tailored communications ensured that complex information was accessible to all, breaking down barriers that language and technical jargon might create. Developing content in, up to, 10 languages helped to ensure no one was excluded from the opportunity and set the bar for public engagement initiatives at the City.

Adhering to IAP2 Core Values for Authentic Engagement

Ottawa’s engagement strategy was deeply aligned with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values. This alignment ensured that the engagement process was not only transparent and inclusive but also respectful and meaningful. The city’s efforts to engage diverse communities through customized communication and respectful interaction reinforced its commitment to these values, enhancing public trust and participation quality.

Impact of Inclusive Engagement on Public Trust and Policy Efficacy

The inclusive nature of Ottawa's engagement strategy has proven effective in building public trust and enhancing policy efficacy. By integrating extensive community feedback into the SWMP, Ottawa has developed waste management policies that not only meet environmental goals but also resonate with the community’s values. The new SWMP, approved by City Council in June 2024, is reflective of the input received during the engagement process. Residents and stakeholders consistently underlined the importance of the City working with the community, multi-lingual, and external partners to ensure the success of many of the actions in the Plan.

Ottawa's journey through the development of its SWMP serves as a powerful example of how cities can effectively engage with their communities to create policies that are both sustainable and widely supported. This case study illustrates the importance of inclusive public engagement in urban planning and the positive impacts it can have on both policy development and community trust.

IAP2 Canada's Achievements and Initiatives in Q2 2024

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:29:18 GMT

We are pleased to share updates and highlights from the past quarter, including insights from our recent Annual General Meeting and the release of our 2023 Annual Report. Explore how we are advancing public participation and inclusion across communities. Your continued support and involvement are invaluable to us at IAP2 Canada, and we thank you for being a part of our journey.

AGM

IAP2 Canada successfully conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the year, during which we also released our comprehensive 2023 Annual Report. This report details our achievements, financials, and strategic initiatives from the past year. Members and interested parties can access the AGM minutes and view the Annual Report through the links provided below:

Global Learning Pathway Update

We are pleased to announce the successful licensing of trainers for our Global Learning Pathway (GLP) courses. Congratulations to the following members of our IAP2 community of trainers who have been accredited to deliver these essential courses:

GLP Prerequisite Courses

Kristi Merilees

GLP Electives

Understanding People and Communities:

Working with Conflict and High Emotion:

Jessica Delaney, CP3
Tracey Ehl, MCP3
Kim Hyshka, CP3

These trainers are now prepared to deliver insightful and valuable learning experiences tailored to public participation practitioners.

CP3 Designation Progress

Congratulations to our newest CP3 designated members:

Iwokiri Aprioku, CP3
Precious Ile, MA, PMP, CEC, CP3

We celebrate your achievement and welcome you to our community of certified professionals.

Indigenous Awareness Learning Program

We recently celebrated the successful completion of our January 2024 cohort for the IAP2 Canada Indigenous Awareness Learning Program, marking a milestone in advancing P2. In June, we launched a new cohort, furthering our commitment to integrating Indigenous perspectives and enhancing P2 practices.

Digital Discovery Series 2024

The Digital Discovery Series concluded in June 2024 with more than 200 participants, offering innovative insights into digital strategies for P2. We sincerely thank Susanna Haas Lyons for her her invaluable leadership throughout.

Leadership

Alison Fraser joined us as the new Executive Director of IAP2 Canada in June 2024, enriching our leadership team with her extensive background in marketing and communications. With over 20 years of experience from diverse sectors including healthcare, entertainment, and corporate strategy, Alison is well-equipped to steer our initiatives towards new heights. Learn more about Alison.

2024 IAP2 NAC Keynote Speakers

As we gear up for the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference in Ottawa, we are thrilled to highlight our keynote speakers, each a distinguished leader in their field:

The Hon. Catherine McKenna: Former Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna brings a wealth of experience in environmental policy and climate action. Her insights will inspire and challenge us to integrate sustainable practices in public participation.
The Hon. Wanda Thomas Bernard, PhD, C.M., O.N.S.: Senator for Nova Scotia (East Preston), Dr. Bernard is renowned for her advocacy in social justice and community engagement. Her extensive work in promoting inclusivity and understanding in public policies, particularly focusing on building bridges and best practices in P2, will provide valuable perspectives to our discussions.

Join us in Ottawa for an opportunity to learn from these visionary leaders and to further your professional development in the field of public participation.

IAP2 Canada Research Paper

The research paper "Artificial Intelligence: Its Potential and Ethics in the Practice of Public Participation," released in April 2024 by the International Association for Public Participation Canada and authored by Morgan Boyco and Dr. Pamela Robinson, examines the impact of AI on public participation. It discusses the advantages and challenges of AI tools like ChatGPT, which are becoming increasingly accessible.

Leading Change: How the CP3 Designation Amplifies Your Role in Public Participation and Engagement

Tue, 28 May 2024 18:19:30 GMT

As a public participation champion aiming to elevate your career, acquiring the CP3 designation from IAP2 Canada signifies a profound step towards becoming a recognized expert in public participation (P2) and engagement. This credential not only boosts your professional stature but also opens doors to myriad opportunities. In this article, we'll delve into how obtaining the CP3 designation can enrich your career and impact your community positively.

What is the CP3 Designation?

The Certified Public Participation Professional (CP3) designation represents the national standard in the field of public participation. It serves as a benchmark of excellence, symbolizing a practitioner's mastery and unwavering commitment to the principles and practices of effective public participation and engagement.

Achieving the CP3 designation is a rigorous process that demands a deep understanding and skilled application in several key domains of public participation. Candidates undergo a comprehensive three-step assessment process designed to challenge and validate their expertise across various competencies. This ensures that those who achieve the designation are well-equipped to handle the complexities and nuances of engaging diverse communities in meaningful ways.

The designation is built around specific Core Competencies that are essential for effective, impactful public engagement and that position you as a leader in the field.

The IAP2 Core Competencies Explained

The IAP2 Core Competencies include:

P2 Process Planning and Application Skills: Demonstrating strategic proficiency in designing and implementing participation processes that effectively engage stakeholders.
P2 Event Planning and Implementation Skills: Crafting and managing public events that foster open dialogue and productive participation.
Appropriate Use of P2 Techniques: Employing a range of tools and methods tailored to meet the objectives of the engagement and the needs of the community.
P2 Communication Skills: Mastering the art of communication to ensure clarity, understanding, and constructive interactions across diverse audiences.
P2 People Skills: Building rapport, managing conflict, and nurturing an inclusive environment that respects and values diverse perspectives and contributions.

These core competencies are not just fundamental areas of expertise; they are essential pillars that support the CP3 holder’s role as a leader in the field. They enable professionals to design and lead public participation initiatives that are not only effective but also transformative, fostering democratic processes and enhancing community involvement.

Benefits of Earning the CP3 Designation

Achieving the CP3 designation provides significant advantages that can transform your career in public participation and engagement.

The CP3 designation marks you as a thought leader in public participation, enabling you to influence community projects and policies profoundly. With this credential, you're seen as a pivotal figure in shaping engagement strategies that are inclusive, effective, and innovative. It empowers you to drive significant changes and ensure community voices are appropriately reflected in decision-making processes.

Here’s how this accreditation can benefit you:

Enhanced Professional Credibility

The CP3 designation is recognized internationally as a mark of excellence in public participation and engagement. Holding this credential demonstrates your mastery of essential skills and your commitment to high standards in the field, significantly boosting your professional reputation.

Competitive Edge in the Job Market

With the CP3 designation, you distinguish yourself from your peers, showcasing your advanced capabilities in leading and managing public engagement initiatives. This makes you a highly desirable candidate for senior roles and specialized positions that require expert skills.

Access to Advanced Career Opportunities

The designation opens doors to higher-level opportunities that may previously have been out of reach. It positions you for leadership roles within organizations, enables you to handle more significant, impactful projects, and can lead to consulting opportunities where your expertise can directly influence public policy and community outcomes.

Leadership in Complex Projects

The CP3 designation equips you with the skills and knowledge to effectively lead complex engagement projects. It signals to employers and community members your ability to manage substantial, diverse projects with strategic insight and professionalism.

Joining the Global CP3 Network

Becoming a CP3 integrates you into a network of skilled professionals dedicated to advancing public participation. This network provides a platform for collaboration, learning, and professional growth, allowing you to share insights, challenge your ideas, and enhance your practice through exposure to diverse perspectives and strategies.

As a CP3 designation holder, you not only advance your own career but also contribute to the evolution of public participation and engagement globally. Your work sets standards, challenges norms, and introduces innovative practices that enhance how public engagement is conducted worldwide.

Your Pathway to Becoming a CP3

The journey to earning a CP3 designation through IAP2 Canada is a transformative experience that begins with a thorough self-assessment and continues through strategic learning and practical application. It challenges you to refine your skills and push beyond your comfort zone, setting you on a path to not just participate in, but lead the evolution of public engagement practices.

Unlock New Opportunities in Public Participation

Are you ready to lead the future of public participation and engagement? Apply for your CP3 designation through IAP2 Canada and open doors to new professional possibilities!

Get started today!

Elevating Public Engagement: The Transformative Impact of IAP2 Canada’s Specialized Courses

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 17:55:42 GMT

Public participation and engagement play a crucial role in community decision-making, influencing policies and projects that affect everyday life. The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada leads the charge in training professionals to excel in this area. We offer a comprehensive learning pathway and a variety of specialized courses, making IAP2 Canada a go-to resource for those looking to improve their skills in creating meaningful community dialogue and involvement. This post explores how our learning pathway can significantly enhance public engagement practices and support professional development.

Exploring the IAP2 Global Learning Pathway

The IAP2 Global Learning Pathway is a carefully designed program that equips those involved in public participation with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead successful community engagement efforts. This program covers both basic and advanced topics, from the fundamentals of engaging community members to handling conflicts effectively. What makes this pathway unique is its combination of theory and practical application, ensuring learners are well-prepared to make a positive impact in their communities and workplaces.

Customizing Your Learning with Electives

IAP2 Canada's elective courses allow for personalized professional development in the field of public participation. These electives cater to the varied career goals and interests of learners, covering topics from diversity and inclusion to managing high emotion and conflict. This flexible approach to learning ensures that professionals can stay current with the evolving demands of public participation.

A Closer Look at IAP2's Elective Courses

IAP2 Canada offers a broad range of elective courses, each providing practical insights and strategies for effective public engagement. Alumni of the IAP2 Foundations program (which was available until the end of 2021) can access these electives without having to retake the certificate program, needing only to watch a bridging video to qualify for electives with prerequisites. These courses, complementing the Global Learning Pathway, provide a flexible learning experience tailored to individual career aspirations and interests. These courses are an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, tackle real-world challenges, and enhance your skill set.

Here's a glimpse into some of the electives:

Understanding People and Communities: Focuses on engaging diverse communities effectively, integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Managing Conflict in Public Engagement: Aims to improve understanding and management of conflicts in public participation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Helps participants address power imbalances and promote inclusive engagement.
Cultural Engagement and Transformation: Teaches how to foster a culture of engagement within organizations.
Effective Communication in Public Participation: Covers the collection, analysis, and reporting of public feedback.
Handling High Emotions and Conflict: Offers strategies for de-escalating conflicts and transforming them into constructive discussions.

Advancing Your Career with IAP2 Electives

Incorporating IAP2's electives into your professional development is a strategic way to achieve your career objectives and enhance your impact in the field of public engagement. By applying what you learn and connecting with a network of peers, you can significantly contribute to effective community participation.

The Future of Public Participation

As our world continues to evolve, the need for skilled public engagement professionals has never been greater. IAP2 Canada is at the forefront of training practitioners to meet these challenges, ensuring the future of public participation is bright. Our training programs are essential for building a more inclusive, responsive, and transparent decision-making landscape, underscoring the lasting importance of effective public engagement.

Learn more about our learning pathway

Pioneering Urban Planning: The Award-Winning Journey of City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 17:53:07 GMT

Great cities don't just happen by chance. They are the result of meticulous planning and the collaborative efforts of their residents to make visionary decisions. This truth is exemplified by City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined, which was awarded the prestigious IAP2 Canada Visual Engagement Award in 2023. This plan isn't merely a blueprint for Nanaimo's growth; it represents a unified vision that integrates critical aspects of urban living into a cohesive strategy for the city's future.

To share the success and insights gained from their groundbreaking urban planning initiative, the IAP2 Canada and IAP2 USA teams organized a webinar in collaboration with team members behind City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined. This webinar, offered free to members, served as a platform to showcase the innovative strategies, challenges, and triumphs encountered during the ReImagine Nanaimo process. It provided a unique opportunity for professionals committed to public participation to learn from Nanaimo's experiences and engage in knowledge-sharing.

The Genesis of City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined

The inception of City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined was driven by the recognition that thriving cities operate best when their systems are considered holistically. This plan amalgamates Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan (OCP) with strategies for parks, recreation, culture & wellness, active mobility, transportation, climate action & resilience, reconciliation and accessibility & inclusion into a single, comprehensive document.

This initiative reflects the insights and aspirations of thousands of Nanaimo residents who, over two years and amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, contributed their time and energy to reimagine their city. This extensive and inclusive community consultation, dubbed ReImagine Nanaimo, set a new benchmark for public engagement on Vancouver Island.

Charting Uncharted Waters: The Engagement Journey

ReImagine Nanaimo embarked on what became the city's most ambitious community engagement program. Launched in Spring 2020 and culminating in July 2022, it was a period marked by adaptation, innovation, and broad-based collaboration. Despite the evolving challenges posed by COVID-19, the initiative successfully captured the largest and most diverse participation in any city engagement to date.

Over 50% of respondents to the initial surveys were first-time participants in a city engagement process, highlighting the success of ReImagine Nanaimo in reaching new voices. This achievement was supported by a wide-ranging outreach strategy, ensuring that no resident could overlook the opportunity to contribute to the city's future planning.

The Community Connection

ReImagine Nanaimo used a multifaceted approach to gather community input, from traditional media outreach to innovative public installations and virtual meetings. This mix of in-person and digital engagement methods supported wide-reaching participation, including from traditionally underrepresented groups.

A notable feature of the engagement process was the use of creative contests, inviting residents to express their vision for Nanaimo through art and poetry. This, alongside targeted efforts to engage youth, vulnerable populations, and Indigenous communities, allowed a rich tapestry of perspectives to be woven into the planning process.

From Vision to Validation: The Phased Approach

The engagement journey was structured into three phases: Gathering Ideas, Exploring Options, and Confirming Priorities. Each phase was designed to progressively refine the community's vision into actionable strategies. The feedback collected through these phases directly informed the development of policy areas and the overarching concept directions that would guide Nanaimo's growth.

The engagement process culminated in a set of draft directions that were rigorously reviewed and adjusted based on community input. This iterative process ensured that the final City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined not only captured the community's shared values but also laid a solid foundation for future development.

Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for Engagement and Urban Planning

The success of City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined and its recognition by IAP2 Canada underscores the power of inclusive and innovative community engagement in urban planning. By listening to and incorporating the diverse voices of its residents, Nanaimo has set a new standard for how cities can and should plan their futures.

Great cities are the result of visionary planning, inclusive engagement, and the collective will to create a space that meets the needs of all its residents. City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined is a shining example of this principle in action, serving as a beacon for other municipalities seeking to reimagine their futures through the lens of comprehensive and inclusive urban planning.

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice:

The webinar provided a comprehensive overview of how Nanaimo successfully navigated the complexities of community engagement amidst the constraints of a global pandemic. By presenting their project in this format, the team not only highlighted their commitment to inclusive participation but also provided tangible insights that could inspire and guide other cities and communities.

Participants gained an insider's view of the multi-faceted engagement strategy that characterized the ReImagine Nanaimo initiative. From leveraging social media and traditional advertising to employing creative outreach methods like community contests and virtual meetings, the webinar unpacked the tools and tactics that facilitated widespread public involvement. It highlighted how the principles of inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration could lead to the successful realization of complex urban planning projects.

Through this webinar, City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined not only shared a blueprint for engagement but also inspired a dialogue on the future of community planning and participation.

Access the IAP2 Canada webinar (Member login required)

Access their website

View all 2023 IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards recipients

Building Together: Why Attend the 2024 IAP2 NAC

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 17:39:42 GMT

The theme for the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference (NAC), "Building Together: The Role of Community Engagement in Shaping the Future," serves as a compelling call to action for public engagement professionals. This theme reflects not only our collective mission but also underscores the significant role community engagement plays in envisioning and crafting an inclusive, sustainable future reflective of shared values. Let’s delve into why this theme positions the 2024 IAP2 NAC as an essential event in your professional calendar.

Recognizing Collaborative Efforts

The conference theme underscores the dynamic nature of shaping the future through collaborative efforts. It acknowledges that the future isn't predetermined but rather actively shaped through collaborative endeavors. This recognition makes the event essential for professionals seeking to make a positive impact on their communities. It emphasizes the importance of fostering partnerships and collective action to address complex societal challenges.

Diverse Learning Opportunities

The 2024 IAP2 NAC offers a diverse array of discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions showcasing the indispensable role of collaborative public participation in shaping societies. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore various aspects of community engagement, ranging from innovative strategies for involving diverse stakeholders to best practices for fostering inclusive decision-making processes. Workshops and panel discussions will delve into specific tools, techniques, and methodologies that empower communities to play an active role in shaping their futures.

Networking and Partnership

Industry leaders, innovators, and pioneers gather under the banner of "Building Together" to network, share ideas, and cultivate partnerships driven by a shared commitment to leveraging community engagement for societal progress. The conference provides a platform for attendees to connect with peers, exchange insights, and forge collaborations that transcend organizational boundaries. Through networking sessions, attendees can engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded professionals, fostering relationships that can lead to lasting partnerships and collective action initiatives.

Equipping for Change

Educational opportunities at the conference aim to equip attendees with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration needed to drive change within their communities. Workshops and sessions emphasize the significance of collective efforts in public participation and provide practical guidance on how to effectively engage stakeholders and facilitate meaningful dialogue. Attendees will learn about emerging trends and innovative approaches in community engagement, gaining valuable insights that can inform their practice and enhance their ability to effect positive change.

Inspiration and Practical Insights

Success stories shared at the conference provide compelling evidence of the effectiveness of collective action in community engagement. Keynote speeches and presentations offer practical frameworks for replicating similar successes and overcoming common challenges. Attendees will gain insights into real-world examples of successful collaborative initiatives, learning from the experiences of peers and industry experts. Interactive sessions and case studies will provide opportunities for attendees to explore different approaches to community engagement and identify strategies that align with their goals and objectives.

Bridging National Insights with Local Actions

The conference theme emphasizes not only bridging insights from across Canada and the US with local actions but also enriching perspectives with diverse approaches adaptable to community-specific needs and aspirations. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from case studies and best practices, gaining a deeper understanding of the global landscape of community engagement. By incorporating lessons learned from diverse contexts, attendees can develop more inclusive and culturally responsive approaches to public participation, ensuring that their efforts are relevant and effective in addressing the unique needs of their communities.

Joining a Movement for Change

"Building Together" invites attendees to join a movement towards a collaborative, inclusive future. By participating in the conference, attendees become part of a community committed to shaping tomorrow's societies through collective engagement. Through shared learning, collaboration, and advocacy, attendees can contribute to the advancement of community engagement practices and promote positive social change. By working together, attendees can harness the collective power of engagement to address pressing issues, build stronger communities, and create a better future for all.

By attending this conference, you are not simply engaging in a professional event; you are becoming part of a community of change-makers committed to leveraging the collective power of engagement to shape the societies of tomorrow.

Join us in Ottawa, Canada’s vibrant capital, from October 24 - 26 at the 2024 IAP2 NAC. Let's build the future, together.

View our schedule at-a-glance

Learn about sponsorship opportunities

Discover Ottawa - a city of celebrations and cultures

Neuro-Inclusion in Public Participation: A Vital Step Toward Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:49:09 GMT

IAP2 Canada's recent research paper, conducted by Guthrie & Kroiss, dives into how public participation processes can be more inclusive for people with diverse cognitive abilities. In a world striving for fairness and inclusiveness, it's essential that public engagement efforts truly reflect the diversity of our communities. This research sheds light on practical ways to ensure everyone's voice can be heard, especially those of neurodivergent individuals.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the idea that everyone's brain works in unique ways. This concept includes people who think, learn, and interact with the world in what's considered typical ways (neurotypical) and those who have differences like Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, and Dyslexia (neurodivergent). The paper emphasizes seeing these differences not as issues to be fixed but as part of the rich variety of human minds.

How the Research Was Done

To understand the experiences of neurodivergent individuals, the researchers combined surveys, group discussions, and interviews. This approach helped highlight not just the hurdles these individuals face in public engagement settings but also the unique strengths they bring, such as deep empathy, creative thinking, and a strong sense of justice.

The Gap in Current Practices

Despite these strengths, the research found that many neurodivergent individuals feel left out or uncomfortable in public participation activities. This signals a need for changes to make these spaces more welcoming and accessible to everyone, regardless of how their brain works.

Recommendations for More Inclusive Practices

To bridge the gap, the research offers actionable advice. This includes designing materials that are easy for everyone to use and planning events that consider diverse needs from the start. Simple steps like providing clear information in advance and offering various ways to participate can make a big difference. These efforts aim to create a safe space where everyone feels valued and can contribute effectively.

Webinar Highlights

The webinar, following the release of the research, served as an engaging platform for discussing these findings and recommendations in greater detail. It provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions, share experiences, and learn directly from the researchers about practical steps toward more inclusive public participation practices.

Looking Forward: Building a More Inclusive Future

This research is more than just a set of recommendations. It's a guide towards building a society where diversity in thought and perspective is not just acknowledged but celebrated. It invites us to challenge old ways of thinking, learn from each other, and work together to ensure that public participation truly includes everyone. As we move forward, embracing these insights will help us create a more equitable and inclusive community for all.

Access the webinar (free for Members)

Read the full publication

View more P2 resources from IAP2 Canada

IAP2 Canada's Achievements and Initiatives in Q1 2024

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:39:01 GMT

In the busy first quarter of 2024, the IAP2 Canada team achieved significant milestones, advancing our mission to enhance public participation practices both nationally and internationally. This update provides a comprehensive overview of the key accomplishments accomplished by our team during this period.

Training Update

In Q1 2024, IAP2 Canada experienced an exceptional surge of activity, successfully launching and delivering a total of 17 training courses. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the tireless dedication and hard work exhibited by our team and licensed trainers to uphold the delivery of top-notch educational experiences. As we forge ahead, we remain committed to our mission, with an additional 35 courses already scheduled for Q2 and active efforts underway to plan training sessions for the remainder of the year. This ongoing commitment underscores our unwavering dedication to providing valuable training opportunities for our members and stakeholders.

CP3 Intake

In January, we launched the intake process for the Certified Public Participation Professional (CP3) program scheduled for the June 2024 Assessment Centre.

The CP3 designation is awarded through a structured three-step evaluation process. In this process, Assessors examine the candidates' abilities against the IAP2 Core Competencies. For further details about the CP3 program, interested individuals are encouraged to view an informative webinar. Those looking to apply for a November assessment center should note that applications will be accepted starting July 2024.

Enhancing Website Accessibility: French Translation

The IAP2 Canada team has successfully translated our website into French to enhance accessibility for our Francophone communities. This project, launched in January 2024, has facilitated easier access to essential resources and information concerning public participation, solidifying our position as a leader in advocating for effective engagement practices in Canada. It also aligns with IAP2 Canada's broader mission of fostering inclusion and collaboration among diverse groups.

Explore our new French language web pages

Indigenous Awareness Learning Program

The team dedicated significant effort to recruiting participants for the January 2024 cohort of the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program. The remarkable registration numbers exceeded capacity limits and underscored the widespread interest and engagement in this crucial initiative.

Our sincere gratitude extends to all the Learning Partners for generously contributing their time, knowledge, and expertise to enrich the learning experience for program participants.

Learn more about the program

Digital Discovery Series 2024

The Digital Discovery Series kicked off its official launch in January 2024, with the first session starting in February 2024. Spearheaded by Susanna Haas Lyons, this initiative underscores IAP2 Canada's unwavering dedication to leading the way in leveraging digital advancements for public participation. The sessions include:

Boost Your Impact: Digital Advertising Strategies for Public Participation (February 28 - now available on-demand)
Multi-Channel Engagement: Gathering Input across Multiple Digital Platforms (March 27 - now available on-demand)
AI Essentials: Tools and Policies for a Changing P2 Environment (April 24)
Inclusion and Digital Tools: Planning for Intersectionality in Online Engagement (May 29)
Decoding Open-Ended Input: Analysis Tools (June 26)

Learn more

A Transition of Leadership

On February 1, 2024, Anne Harding assumed the role of part-time Interim Executive Director at IAP2 Canada, while the organization continues its search for a full-time Executive Director. Anne brings extensive experience and a strong dedication to the principles and practices of public participation. Anne is widely respected in the field of public participation, with significant involvement in IAP2 Canada since 2010. Her contributions have been invaluable in supporting our current staff, members, and trainers as we transition.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

In 2023, IAP2 Canada's leadership team worked closely with a consultant, who had conducted a comprehensive Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) audit and also engaged in benchmarking efforts for the organization. The purpose of this collaboration was to examine the findings from the consultant's research. Through this review process, we were able to pinpoint areas needing enhancement to more effectively embrace and implement best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Following this review, an action plan targeting these key areas was developed and subsequently approved by the IAP2 Canada board of directors in the first quarter of 2024.

The commitment statement: “Leaders at IAP2 Canada establish collective behaviors, values, and attitudes that shape the overall environment. Leadership is transparent in its decision-making processes and fosters a culture that champions EDI.”

IAP2 Canada's action plan focuses on three core pillars to reinforce its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI):

Leadership & Culture: Prioritizes transparent decision-making and cultivating an organizational culture that champions EDI, guided by leaders who exemplify the organization's values and behaviors.
Supporting Communities & Knowledge Building: Aims to support historically underrepresented communities through dedicated frameworks and opportunities, enabling them to contribute significantly and thrive within IAP2 Canada.
Communication & Connection: Focuses on enhancing communication channels to ensure everyone's perspectives are heard and valued, fostering a culture of understanding and belonging.

The board is looking forward to collaborating with the new Executive Director on an implementation plan.

Technology Challenges and Solutions

In 2023 and early 2024, the IAP2 Canada team dedicated significant time to research and testing to identify a comprehensive system or systems that would cater to our distinct requirements. These needs encompass multilingual content management, learning management tailored to our unique training and certification process, membership management, event scheduling, community support, and email marketing.

We are in the process of recommending a budget to the board of directors for approval in the Spring. This will enable us to proceed with a comprehensive system update that aligns with our organizational goals and effectively supports our operations and our community.

Webinar Program Relaunch

In early 2024, IAP2 Canada relaunched the webinar program, with free access available to all members and paid-access available to non-members.

Nanaimo Re-Imagined

As part of our initiative, we launched the City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined webinar. This session shared insights from Nanaimo's urban planning initiative, ReImagine Nanaimo, offering professionals in public participation a chance to learn from their experiences, including innovative strategies, challenges, and successes. The webinar encouraged valuable knowledge-sharing and engagement among participants.

Find out more

Neuro-Inclusion in Public Participation

The webinar, held after the research release, offered an interactive platform to delve into the findings and recommendations in depth. Participants had the chance to ask questions, share their experiences, and gain insights from the researchers on implementing practical steps for fostering neuro-inclusive public participation practices.

Find out more

IAP2 NAC Submissions

In February we launched the IAP2 NAC Call for Proposals. The Conference Committee received over 80 proposals showcasing innovative approaches, successful case studies, and insightful projects, even those that didn’t go as planned but offered valuable insights. We appreciate the contributions and look forward to delivering an enriching and impactful conference experience!

IAP2 NAC 2024 Sponsorship Prospectus

In March we launched the Sponsorship Prospectus for the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference (NAC). Our upcoming conference, themed "Building Together: The Role of Community Engagement in Shaping the Future," promises to be an extraordinary gathering at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. This prospectus offers a window into the potential pathways for organizations to join us in championing the cause of public participation.

Learn more about the 2024 IAP2 NAC

Access the Sponsorship Prospectus

Core Values Awards

In March we launched IAP2 Canada’s annual Core Values Awards. These awards recognize and encourage organizations and individuals in the practice of public participation and engagement – promoting excellence, quality and innovation in the way they execute their projects and programs and exemplify the IAP2 Core Values. The deadline to apply for the Core Values Awards is May 8, 2024.

Learn more

Shaping the Future: Why Transforming P2 and Engagement Culture in Organizations Matters

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:43:02 GMT

The changing landscape of the business world necessitates leadership that is transformative within organizations. To remain effective and competitive, it's critical for organizations to develop a culture focused on public participation (P2) and engagement. This move towards prioritizing engagement is not only about aligning with the expectations of today's workforce; it's about fostering an environment that promotes innovation, enhances teamwork, and prepares the organization for future challenges.

Understanding Public Participation and Engagement Culture

Public participation, or P2, is a key aspect of organizational culture that encourages involvement from all stakeholders, including employees, in the decision-making process. An engagement culture emphasizes the integration of every team member into the organization's strategic planning and daily activities. The core of this culture is creating an atmosphere characterized by openness, transparent communication, and mutual respect. This approach moves beyond the traditional top-down hierarchy, valuing everyone's contributions and creating a sense of belonging. This not only boosts motivation but also enhances commitment among employees, laying a foundation for increased productivity and paving the way for innovation and growth.

The Role of Transformational Leadership in Organizations

Transformational leaders play a crucial role in steering organizations toward a culture of P2 and engagement. They inspire and motivate team members to exceed their potential and align with the organization's objectives. By fostering a shared vision, these leaders help build a culture where each member feels valued and integral to the organization. Their leadership is instrumental in motivating the team, elevating organizational performance, and leading the cultural shift toward an engagement-focused environment.

Transformational leaders encourage open participation in decision-making and value employee contributions, which enhances the engagement culture. They promote a sense of ownership and commitment, making every team member's voice important. This leadership style is key to creating an inclusive, participatory, and engaging organizational culture, essential for successful transformation.

Boosting Employee Morale and Job Satisfaction

Adopting a culture of P2 and engagement significantly impacts employee morale and job satisfaction. Recognizing employees as vital to the organization and valuing their input boosts their sense of worth and satisfaction. Active participation in decision-making fosters ownership over their work, increasing motivation and morale. Furthermore, acknowledging employee contributions creates a supportive environment, enhancing their commitment and job satisfaction, which in turn drives higher productivity.

Enhancing Creativity and Innovation

Moving towards an engagement-focused culture is crucial for sparking creativity and innovation within organizations. When employees feel valued and included, they're more likely to contribute unique ideas and solutions. This culture encourages experimentation, learning from failures, and ultimately, innovation, by valuing every team member's input. Organizations that prioritize P2 and engagement often see a surge in inventive ideas, enhancing their competitive edge.

Fostering Teamwork and Collaboration

Cultivating a culture of P2 and engagement not only highlights individual contributions but also enhances teamwork and collaboration. In such an environment, where everyone's voice is heard and contributions are recognized, a strong sense of unity and cooperation is established. This fosters open exchange of ideas and knowledge, improving efficiency and productivity. It encourages constructive feedback and collaborative problem-solving, leading to innovative solutions and breaking down hierarchical barriers. The resultant teamwork and collaboration drive the organization towards achieving its strategic objectives.

Building Resilient Organizations for the Future

For companies to lead in their industries, resilience and adaptability are key. By fostering a culture of P2 and engagement, organizations develop a dynamic and flexible workforce. Engaged employees are more receptive to change, contributing to the company's evolution with innovative ideas and active problem-solving. This culture encourages creative thinking and challenging the status quo, enhancing the organization's resilience. Embracing change prepares companies to face future challenges and seize new opportunities, building a strong foundation for long-term success.

Explore IAP2 Canada's comprehensive Learning Pathway, which includes the IAP2 Global Learning Pathway, along with various other training options to help you excel in public participation and engagement. Our Learning Pathway is your gateway to acquiring the knowledge and skills you need to create meaningful change.

Our next “Transforming P2 & Engagement Culture” course, one of our new electives on the learning pathway is, scheduled for February 13-14, 2024.

IAP2 Canada's Achievements in Q4 2023: Advancing Equity, Learning, and Innovation

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 19:00:10 GMT

The last quarter of 2023 was a bustling period for the IAP2 Canada team. We accomplished various key milestones that furthered our mission of enhancing public participation practices across the country and globally. In this update, we will provide an overview of the important work accomplished by the IAP2 Canada team during this period.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training

One of the standout achievements in Q4 2023 was the successful completion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training for both staff and volunteer leadership. This training reaffirmed IAP2 Canada's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the organization, fostering a more inclusive environment.

Building on our commitment to EDI, the board and staff met with the consultant that undertook an EDI audit and who also completed some benchmarking for IAP2 Canada to review the results of that work. This process allowed us to identify areas for improvement and ensure we better align with best practices in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. An action plan was drafted and is with the board for review.

Indigenous Awareness Learning Program

The summer 2023 cohort of the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program wrapped in Q4. Special thanks to Anne Harding for her tireless efforts in leading this program for IAP2 Canada and to all the Learning Partners for dedicating their time and giving of their knowledge and experience to participants of the program.

The team worked diligently to recruit participants for the January 2024 cohort of the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program. Impressive registration numbers demonstrated strong interest and engagement in this vital initiative.

Learn more about the program

Framework for Supporting Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Earlier in 2023, we engaged a consultant to review the draft Framework for Supporting Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The review process was completed successfully, and valuable feedback was shared with the Working Group. The final draft of the IAP2 Canada Framework for Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples was accepted by the board in November, marking a step forward in our reconciliation efforts.

Learn more about our path toward reconciliation

Digital Discovery Series 2024

Planning for the Digital Discovery Series 2024 was executed at the end of 2023, with the series officially launching in January 2024 and delivery starting in February 2024. Led by Susanna Haas Lyons, this initiative showcases IAP2 Canada's commitment to staying at the forefront of digital advancements in public participation.

Learn more about the Digital Discovery series

French Language Initiatives

In an effort to expand our reach and better support our francophone members, IAP2 Canada launched French-language training from our Global Learning Pathway including the Certificate in Public Participation (P2). Fundamentals in P2 and Engagement - Principes fondamentaux de la participation publique - was the first course delivered in November. These efforts aim to make public participation knowledge more accessible to French-speaking communities.

Explore our learning pathway

Enhancing Accessibility: Website Translation Progress

The IAP2 Canada team is actively translating our website into French to broaden accessibility for our francophone communities. This project, targeted for early Q1, 2024, will enable easier access to essential resources and information related to public participation, reinforcing our position as a leader in advocating for effective engagement practices in Canada. It also aligns with IAP2 Canada's broader mission of fostering inclusion and collaboration among diverse groups.

Mentorship Program

The team also successfully launched the 2024 IAP2 Canada Mentorship Program and completed pairings. This program, which kicks off in January 2024, offers valuable guidance and support to emerging professionals in the field of public participation.

Learn more about the value of mentorship

Technology Challenges and Solutions

Our team demonstrated transparency by sharing a comprehensive document with the board outlining the organization's technology challenges and proposed solutions. We are actively researching various digital tools to enhance communication and interaction with our P2 community.

Webinar Program Relaunch

The team has been working toward the re-launch of the webinar program in early 2024, co-hosted by IAP2 Canada and IAP2 USA. These webinars serve as valuable resources for those interested in public participation practices.

Learn more about the transformative power of webinars

IAP2 NAC 2024 Location Announced

In late December, we announced Ottawa as the host city for the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference! As Canada's vibrant capital, Ottawa is a hub of rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. This announcement marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards an enriching conference experience in one of Canada's most iconic cities. Join us as we prepare to converge in a location renowned for its warm hospitality and an array of engaging attractions.

Learn more about the 2024 IAP2 NAC

The IAP2 Canada team had a highly productive last quarter of 2023, making significant strides in our pursuit of promoting equity, inclusivity, and excellence in public participation practices. With our commitment to learning, innovation, and inclusion, IAP2 Canada continues to be a leading force in advancing the field of public participation across the nation.

We look forward to our continued growth and success in 2024!

A Path Toward Reconciliation: IAP2 Canada's Journey to Strengthen Indigenous Inclusion

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:28:29 GMT

In recent years, IAP2 Canada brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous P2 and engagement professionals to reflect on its past, present, and future commitment to Truth, reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion. The strategic path that emerged from the task force is grounded in both historical awareness and contemporary action and signals a shift for the organization, highlighting its dedication to facilitating meaningful change within public participation and self-determination principles.

The Urgency of Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls to Justice have underscored the critical need to address the long-standing and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous peoples. The impact of colonization on Indigenous communities is profound and undeniable. As professionals in public participation, there lies a responsibility to not only acknowledge this stark reality but to actively engage in dismantling colonial structures, amplifying Indigenous voices, and supporting self-determination. The TRC's calls to action provide a roadmap for IAP2 Canada's commitment to goals LEARN, DO, SAY and SUPPORT.

The Evolution of IAP2 Canada's Commitment

Beginning in 2015, with recommendations from the Indigenous Inclusion Sub-Committee, IAP2 Canada's journey to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples has been both reflective and proactive. Beginning with an acknowledgment of the historical impacts of colonization, the organization will begin a journey of internal reflection, examining its practices and policies to foster more inclusive decision-making processes that promote Indigenous perspectives.

Educational Initiatives and Partnerships

A key component of IAP2 Canada's approach is education. The organization has actively provided training and resources to members, staff, and the public, enhancing understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives. This has involved collaborations with Indigenous organizations and knowledge holders, ensuring respectful and comprehensive content delivery.

Key Educational Programs:

Learning Program for Indigenous Awareness: Developed with the late Elder Lloyd Ewenin, this program is a semi-structured, cohort-based initiative aimed at increasing engagement professionals’ comfort and capability to take action to advance reconciliation, both personally and professionally.
Training Courses: These include 'Indigenous Awareness for Engagement Professionals', 'Engagement Methods for Indigenous Cultural Contexts', and 'Indigenous Inclusion: Putting the TRC Calls into Action'.
Indigenous Engagement Community of Practice (CoP): Launched in 2016, the CoP facilitates discussions and strategies on Indigenous inclusion and has featured speakers from diverse Indigenous backgrounds.

Ongoing Self-Assessment and Action

IAP2 Canada's contribution and commitment is to:

Reflect on the history, work, and processes of our organization that have supported and created systemic exclusion and harms of Indigenous peoples within the profession and practice of P2 and engagement;
Create and maintain space for Indigenous peoples in public participation including IAP2 Canada's ecosystem;
Increase awareness of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (Indigenous) cultures and values through intercultural competency professional development programs;
Encourage practitioners to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities to create trust; and
Participate in the truth and reconciliation journey through learning, awareness, and partnerships with Indigenous organizations.

The organization is also exploring strategies to build an inclusive membership and partnerships that support reconciliation.

The Road Ahead

As IAP2 Canada continues its journey, it remains steadfast in its commitment to reflecting, learning, evolving, and challenging itself to do better. The path toward reconciliation is recognized as an ongoing process, requiring a consistent commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices, dismantling colonial structures, and promoting a more inclusive, equitable future.

IAP2 Canada's strategic journey toward reconciliation and Indigenous inclusion is an example of an organization's dedication to meaningful change. By integrating internal reflection, education, and action into their operations, they set a precedent for others in the field of public participation and beyond. The journey is ongoing, and the determination to make a lasting impact is clear – a testament to the power of commitment and the potential for transformative change.

Learn more about IAP2 Canada’s Framework for Supporting Reconciliation here.

Un avantage à double tranchant : le bénévolat au service de l'intérêt personnel et de l'avancement professionnel

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:42:08 GMT

Le bénévolat est souvent considéré comme un acte désintéressé, une contribution à la communauté ou aux moins fortunés. Mais avez-vous déjà envisagé les avantages du bénévolat d'un point de vue personnel et professionnel ? La vérité est que le bénévolat peut être un avantage à double tranchant. Il contribue non seulement à la société, mais aussi à l'épanouissement personnel et à l'évolution de la carrière.

Les avantages personnels du bénévolat

Entrer dans le monde du bénévolat peut être un voyage transformateur de découverte de soi et d'épanouissement. C'est votre passeport pour des territoires inexplorés qui peuvent repousser vos limites, vous permettant de relever de nouveaux défis et d'absorber de riches expériences. Cette évolution personnelle est souvent catalysée par la diversité des personnes que vous rencontrez au cours de votre expérience de volontariat. Leurs différents parcours et perspectives peuvent enrichir votre intelligence émotionnelle, alors que vous naviguez dans la complexité fascinante des relations humaines.

L'impact du volontariat ne se limite pas à l'épanouissement émotionnel et cognitif. C'est un tonique pour le bien-être, qui offre de généreuses portions de bienfaits pour la santé physique. On a constaté que les bénévoles réguliers bénéficient d'une réduction du stress, d'une amélioration de l'humeur et d'un renforcement général de la santé mentale. En outre, le bénévolat peut vous amener à vous sentir utile, contribuant ainsi à une vie enrichie, pleine de gratification et d'épanouissement. La beauté du bénévolat réside dans cette réciprocité - tandis que vous contribuez à la vie de la société, vous vous sentez plus à l'aise.

Le volontariat, un moyen de découvrir de nouveaux centres d'intérêt et de nouvelles passions

Se lancer dans le volontariat, c'est un peu comme ouvrir un coffre au trésor rempli d'expériences variées qui sortent du cadre de la routine quotidienne. C'est l'occasion rêvée de se plonger dans des domaines que vous n'auriez jamais eu l'idée d'explorer. Supposons que vous ayez été fasciné par la grandeur de l'art, mais que vous n'ayez jamais eu l'occasion de vous y plonger. Dans ce cas, le bénévolat dans un musée d'art local ou dans le cadre d'un projet artistique communautaire peut vous aider à acquérir une connaissance approfondie de ce domaine. Par ailleurs, si vous avez un intérêt naissant pour la conservation de l'environnement, participer à une opération de nettoyage ou à une campagne de sensibilisation pourrait être un moyen gratifiant d'assouvir cette passion. L'intérêt du volontariat est qu'il vous permet de plonger dans des eaux différentes, ce qui élargit vos horizons et vous fait découvrir de nouveaux centres d'intérêt et de nouvelles passions. N'oubliez pas que chaque pas que vous faites dans le paysage du volontariat peut ouvrir la voie à des possibilités passionnantes et à la découverte de soi.

Le bénévolat au service de la carrière : Construire un réseau professionnel solide

Dans le labyrinthe du monde professionnel, les relations ouvrent souvent des portes sur des possibilités que le talent pur ou les compétences ne peuvent pas offrir. C'est là que le bénévolat entre en jeu, en servant de canal exceptionnel pour la construction d'un réseau professionnel solide. En tant que bénévole, vous vous retrouvez dans un creuset d'individus divers, chacun porteur d'une richesse de connaissances, d'expériences et de points de vue professionnels. La beauté du bénévolat réside dans les relations organiques qui se développent au cours du processus. Ces relations peuvent être nouées avec d'autres bénévoles, des dirigeants d'organisations ou des personnes influentes au sein de la communauté, qui peuvent tous devenir de précieux contacts professionnels. Le bénévolat peut également conduire à des rencontres fortuites avec des mentors potentiels qui peuvent fournir des conseils, servir de références ou même présenter des opportunités d'emploi. Ainsi, lorsque vous retroussez vos manches et vous lancez dans le bénévolat, n'oubliez pas qu'il ne s'agit pas seulement de servir la communauté, mais aussi d'entretenir un réseau susceptible d'alimenter votre trajectoire professionnelle.

Améliorer ses compétences professionnelles grâce au bénévolat

Plonger dans le domaine du bénévolat offre une formidable occasion d'affiner les compétences existantes et d'en cultiver de nouvelles. Imaginez-vous dans un rôle qui vous permet de diriger une équipe de bénévoles divers ou de gérer un projet du début à la fin. Ces expériences peuvent vous permettre d'acquérir des compétences essentielles en matière de leadership et une expérience pratique de la gestion de projets qui peuvent s'avérer inestimables dans votre parcours professionnel. Le volontariat devient également un terrain de jeu où vous pouvez apprendre à vous attaquer à des problèmes concrets, ce qui vous incite à trouver des solutions créatives et efficaces. Ces capacités de résolution de problèmes peuvent être un atout dans n'importe quel scénario professionnel. En outre, le volontariat vous permet de côtoyer des personnes de tous horizons. Cela vous inculque de solides compétences en matière de communication et de travail d'équipe, car vous apprenez à gérer efficacement ces diverses relations. Ce sont ces mêmes compétences qui deviennent souvent votre arsenal dans le monde de l'entreprise, faisant de vous un candidat très recherché. Par essence, le bénévolat est bien plus qu'un acte de service ; c'est une étape vers l'amélioration des compétences professionnelles et l'épanouissement personnel. Ainsi, en consacrant votre temps et vos efforts au bénévolat, vous créez subtilement un ensemble de compétences convaincantes qui peuvent propulser votre carrière vers l'avant.

Le point de vue de l'employeur : Pourquoi ils apprécient les bénévoles

Dans le marché animé de l'acquisition de talents, l'expérience bénévole brille souvent comme un phare, attirant les employeurs vers les candidats potentiels. Pourquoi ? Parce que les employeurs reconnaissent la myriade de qualités qu'incarnent les bénévoles. Souvent motivés, dévoués et capables de s'adapter, les bénévoles font preuve d'un dynamisme qui fait d'eux des éléments précieux pour toute équipe.

Le simple fait de se porter volontaire met en évidence l'esprit d'initiative d'une personne, montrant qu'elle est prête à investir son temps et ses efforts dans des activités qui vont au-delà de son intérêt personnel. Cette attitude reflète un niveau de dévouement que les employeurs apprécient. L'expérience du bénévolat peut également indiquer qu'un candidat est adaptable et à l'aise pour travailler dans des environnements divers, une caractéristique cruciale dans le contexte actuel de mondialisation de la main-d'œuvre.

Les employeurs reconnaissent également que l'expérience bénévole se traduit souvent par des compétences professionnelles bien développées. Qu'il s'agisse de leadership, de gestion de projet ou de communication efficace, ces compétences, acquises sur le terrain du volontariat, constituent un argument convaincant en faveur du candidat.

Trouver un équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie privée grâce au bénévolat

Le bénévolat peut servir d'antidote aux pressions d'une vie professionnelle trépidante. Il offre une occasion unique d'intégrer dans sa vie des engagements significatifs qui dépassent le cadre du travail. Il ne s'agit pas seulement d'un changement de rythme indispensable, mais aussi d'un élément d'épanouissement et de satisfaction qui peut rajeunir votre esprit.

Considérez-le comme un investissement dans votre bien-être, une occasion de refaire le plein d'énergie. En faisant du bénévolat, vous vous autorisez à faire une pause, à sortir de la sphère professionnelle et à vous plonger dans des expériences qui peuvent nourrir votre âme. Cela vous permet non seulement de vous rafraîchir l'esprit, mais aussi d'adopter une nouvelle perspective et de vous sentir plus utile lorsque vous reprenez votre travail.

N'oubliez pas que trouver le bon équilibre entre vie professionnelle et vie privée ne consiste pas seulement à jongler avec les responsabilités professionnelles et personnelles, mais aussi à poursuivre des activités qui ajoutent de la valeur à votre vie. Et c'est précisément ce que fait le bénévolat. Il ne s'agit pas seulement de rendre à la communauté ce qu'elle vous a donné, mais aussi d'apporter une contribution à la société.

The Double-edged Benefit: Volunteering for Personal Gain and Career Advancement

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:29:29 GMT

Volunteering is often viewed as a selfless act, a contribution to the community or those less fortunate. But, have you ever considered the benefits of volunteering from a personal and career perspective? The truth is, volunteering can be a double-edged benefit. It not only contributes to society but also helps in personal growth and career advancement.

The Personal Benefits of Volunteering

Stepping into the world of volunteering can be a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth. This is your passport to uncharted territories that can push your boundaries, enabling you to conquer new challenges and absorb rich experiences. This personal evolution is often catalyzed by the diverse range of individuals you meet during your volunteering journey. Their different backgrounds and perspectives can enrich your emotional intelligence, as you navigate through the fascinating complexity of human connections.

The impact of volunteering isn't limited to emotional and cognitive growth alone. It's a well-being tonic, serving up hearty portions of physical health benefits. Regular volunteers have been found to enjoy reduced stress, an uplifted mood, and an overall boost in mental health. Moreover, volunteering can draw you towards a sense of purpose, contributing to an enriched life filled with gratification and fulfillment. The beauty of volunteering lies in this reciprocity - while you contribute to the community, you are also shaping a healthier, happier, and more enlightened version of yourself.

Volunteering as a Path to Discovering New Interests and Passions

Embarking on a volunteering journey can be likened to opening a treasure chest of varied experiences that lie outside the scope of your everyday routine. It offers an incredible opportunity to delve into realms you might never have thought to explore. Suppose you've been mesmerized by the grandeur of art, but never really had a chance to immerse yourself in it. In that case, volunteering at a local art museum or a community art project can help you gain an intimate understanding of the field. Alternatively, if you have a burgeoning interest in environmental conservation, participating in a clean-up drive or an awareness campaign could be a rewarding way to engage with that passion. The beauty of volunteering is that it allows you to dip your toes into different waters, thereby expanding your horizons and introducing you to potential new interests and passions. Remember, every step you take in the volunteering landscape may pave the way towards exciting possibilities and self-discovery.

Volunteering for Career Advancement: Building a Strong Professional Network

In the maze of the professional world, connections often open doors to possibilities that pure talent or skills might not be able to. This is where volunteering comes into play, serving as an exceptional conduit for building a robust professional network. As a volunteer, you find yourself in a melting pot of diverse individuals, each carrying a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and professional insights. The beauty of volunteering lies in the organic relationships that bloom in the process. These connections might be with fellow volunteers, organization leaders, or community influencers, all of whom could turn into valuable professional contacts. Volunteering can also lead to serendipitous encounters with potential mentors who can provide guidance, serve as character references, or even present job opportunities. So, when you roll up your sleeves and plunge into volunteering, remember it's not just about serving the community but also nurturing a network that could fuel your professional trajectory.

Enhancing Professional Skills through Volunteering

Plunging into the realm of volunteering provides a fantastic opportunity to refine existing skills and cultivate new ones. Picture yourself in a role that empowers you to lead a team of diverse volunteers or manage a project from inception to completion. These experiences can endow you with essential leadership skills and hands-on project management experience that can prove invaluable in your professional journey. Volunteering also becomes a playground where you can learn to tackle real-world problems, prompting you to devise creative and effective solutions. These problem-solving abilities can be an asset in any professional scenario. Additionally, the process of volunteering brings you in close quarters with people from all walks of life. This instills in you strong communication and teamwork abilities as you learn to navigate these diverse relationships effectively. It's these very skills that often become your arsenal in the corporate world, making you a highly desirable candidate. In essence, volunteering is much more than an act of service; it's a stage set for professional skill enhancement and personal growth. So, as you devote your time and efforts to volunteering, you're also subtly crafting a compelling skillset that can propel your career forward.

The Employer's Perspective: Why They Value Volunteers

In the bustling marketplace of talent acquisition, volunteer experience often shines like a beacon, drawing employers towards potential candidates. Why? Because employers recognize the myriad qualities that volunteers embody. Often brimming with self-motivation, dedication, and adaptability, volunteers demonstrate a sense of drive that makes them valuable additions to any team.

The mere act of volunteering highlights an individual's initiative, showing that they are willing to invest their time and effort into pursuits that extend beyond personal gain. This attitude reflects a level of dedication that employers value. Volunteer experience can also signify that a candidate is adaptable and comfortable working in diverse settings, a crucial trait in today's globalized workforce.

Employers also acknowledge that volunteer experience often translates to well-honed professional skills. Whether it's leadership, project management, or effective communication, these skills, learned on the volunteer field, make a compelling case for the candidate.

Including volunteer experiences on a resume can give candidates an edge over others. It showcases their values, commitment, and ability to balance multiple roles effectively. So, as you add your volunteer stint to your resume, remember it's not just about the role you served, but the qualities you exhibited and the skills you gained that can truly make you stand out in the eyes of prospective employers.

Achieving Work-Life Balance through Volunteering

Engaging in volunteering can serve as a soothing antidote to the pressures of a hectic professional life. It offers a unique opportunity to weave meaningful engagements into your life that transcend beyond the realm of work. This is not just a much-needed change of pace, but it also brings an element of fulfillment and satisfaction that can rejuvenate your spirits.

Think of it as an investment in your well-being, a chance to refuel your energy tanks. By volunteering, you allow yourself to take a break, step outside the professional sphere, and dive into experiences that can fuel your soul. This not only refreshes your mind but can also imbue you with a fresh perspective and an enhanced sense of purpose when you return to your work.

Moreover, the act of volunteering can help maintain a healthy equilibrium between your professional obligations and personal passions. It allows you to strike a balance, thereby enhancing your overall productivity and job satisfaction. You find yourself equipped with a diversified experience, an enriched mind, and a gratified heart - all thanks to the potent blend of personal growth and societal contribution that volunteering offers.

Remember, striking the right work-life balance is not just about juggling professional and personal responsibilities, but also about pursuing endeavors that add value to your life. And volunteering does just that. It’s not just about giving back to the community, but also about gifting yourself the joy of balance, growth, and fulfillment.

Sea2City Design Challenge: Pioneering Coastal Planning through Innovation and Inclusivity

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:12:04 GMT

The Sea2City Design Challenge, an ambitious and groundbreaking initiative led by the City of Vancouver, has made waves in the world of coastal planning and design. Over the course of 12 months, this collaborative effort tackled pressing issues such as rising sea levels, ecological revitalization, urban development, decolonization, and reconciliation with Host Nations, with a specific focus on Vancouver's False Creek shoreline. In 2023, the project received two prestigious awards: the IAP2 Canada Indigenous Engagement Award and the IAP2 International Project of the Year Award. Let's dive deeper into the success story of the Sea2City Design Challenge and what made it so remarkable.

Inclusivity as the Cornerstone

At the heart of the Sea2City Design Challenge's success was its inclusive approach. The project brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including multi-disciplinary design teams, government representatives, coastal adaptation experts, and Indigenous knowledge keepers and designers. Their collective effort was pivotal in addressing the multifaceted challenges and objectives set forth by the project.

Community Engagement: A Vital Component

Public engagement played a pivotal role in the project's success. The team behind the Sea2City Design Challenge undertook extensive efforts to raise awareness about sea level rise and adaptation strategies, gather stakeholder feedback, and establish lasting relationships with community partners. What set this project apart was its commitment to co-developing project design and public engagement programming with Host Nation government representatives, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach.

A Diverse Array of Engagement Activities

The engagement activities were both extensive and varied. They included public learning and design sessions, decolonization workshops, interdisciplinary workshops, and reflection sessions with advisory groups and the design teams. The project's innovative nature was further highlighted through collaborations with artists, theatre groups, photographers, youth choirs, Indigenous thought leaders, environmental organizations, and youth. This diversity enriched the public engagement program and ensured that all voices were heard.

Three Major Achievements

The Sea2City Design Challenge achieved three significant outcomes. Firstly, it disrupted the language of coastal planning by recognizing the inseparable connection between land and water. Secondly, it created a forward-looking and positive vision for the False Creek shoreline, where Indigenous voices, values, and aspirations stood alongside community needs. Finally, it resulted in implementable site concepts and pilot projects, refined through public input, introducing novel, decolonized ideas unprecedented in Canadian urban contexts.

Key Learnings

The engagement strategy of the project also yielded three key learnings. Firstly, the involvement and guidance of Host Nation representatives and cultural advisors were crucial. Secondly, the engagement of youth and the arts community was vital, recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on younger generations. Lastly, the project underscored the importance of collaboration and mainstreaming for effective coastal adaptation, calling for interdisciplinary collaboration and integration across various city departments, programs, policies, and plans.

A New Standard in Coastal Planning

The Sea2City Design Challenge stands as a testament to the power of innovative and inclusive approaches in coastal planning. By incorporating diverse perspectives, Indigenous knowledge, and community engagement, it has not only reimagined Vancouver's shoreline but also set a new standard for addressing the complex challenges of sea level rise and urban development.

The project's vision and methodology will undoubtedly influence future urban development and ecological revitalization efforts in the False Creek floodplain and beyond. It's a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to tackle the most pressing issues of our time.

Learn more about the Sea2City Design Challenge:

Boost Your Expertise: The Transformative Power of Webinars

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 18:21:12 GMT

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving professional world, having access to a diverse array of learning resources is essential. Webinars, both live and on-demand, stand out as a particularly powerful tool in this regard. This article will delve into the numerous ways webinars, especially those offered on-demand, can significantly enhance your professional skills, expand your career opportunities, and enable valuable networking—all from the comfort of your chosen environment.

An exciting perk: IAP2 Canada members receive exclusive discounts on live webinars as well as unlimited access to a rich selection of on-demand webinars.

The Versatility of Webinars:

Webinars, whether live or on-demand, provide an interactive experience akin to attending a seminar, but with added flexibility. For IAP2 Canada members, this means engaging with content tailored to the field of Public Participation at their own pace. Live webinars offer real-time interaction, while on-demand webinars allow for pausing, rewinding, and revisiting content as needed. Both formats use dynamic tools like slides, visuals, and quizzes, making learning both engaging and effective. Covering a spectrum of topics from new regulations to innovative engagement techniques, webinars keep you abreast of the latest industry trends without the constraints of time or location.

Resource Optimization:

In Public Participation, efficiently utilizing resources is key. Webinars, particularly on-demand ones, provide a cost-effective gateway to expert knowledge. Accompanied by supplementary materials for deeper understanding, they are a budget-friendly solution to continuous learning and staying updated on industry trends and policy changes. For IAP2 Canada members, this means having a library of valuable insights and updates at their fingertips, maximizing their learning while minimizing expenses.

Skill Enhancement:

Continuous learning is vital in the dynamic field of Public Participation. Webinars offer a diverse array of learning opportunities, from improving public speaking to mastering various participatory methodologies. This rich source of knowledge prepares you to face new challenges, equipping you with an expanded skillset essential for thriving in this field.

Career Advancement:

In the competitive world of Public Participation, having an edge is crucial. Webinars can be a significant boost to your career. They provide specialized knowledge that can make you stand out in job interviews and enhance your resume. Employers value candidates who show a commitment to growth and adaptability, and webinars are an excellent way to demonstrate these qualities. For IAP2 Canada members, this could be a key factor in securing their dream job.

Networking and Collaboration:

Webinars are more than just educational tools—they are platforms for networking and collaboration. Many offer interactive features like online discussion, allowing for engagement with peers and experts in the field of Public Participation. These discussions provide opportunities for sharing insight, and fostering professional relationships. For IAP2 Canada members, participating in webinars can lead to new connections and exciting collaborations.

Flexibility and Convenience:

The modern professional landscape demands flexibility, and webinars cater to this need perfectly. They fit effortlessly into your routine, allowing you to learn at your own pace and in the case of on-demand webinars, on your own schedule. Whether it's during a morning coffee break or a lunch hour, webinars provide a convenient way to integrate learning into your daily life.

For IAP2 Canada members, this means accessing high-quality learning resources through our on-demand webinars, our Digital Discovery webinar series, or through our regular webinar series without disrupting their personal or professional commitments.

Webinars are an invaluable resource for anyone in the field of Public Participation, providing education, skill enhancement, networking opportunities, and flexibility. For IAP2 Canada members, access to our on-demand webinars and discounts for live webinars is an exclusive and powerful benefit that can significantly impact their professional journey.

Announcing a Leadership Transition at IAP2 Canada

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:42:17 GMT

Original Announcement Date: November 28, 2023

Author: Rajvir Rao, President, IAP2 Canada

Dear IAP2 Canada Community,

We would like to take this moment to share an important update within our organization. After over two years of leadership and commitment, Valoree McKay will be departing from her role as Executive Director of IAP2 Canada, effective January 31, 2024.

Valoree's tenure as Executive Director she has provided leadership and operational growth for IAP2 Canada. Her dedication has supported our organization toward success and in advancing our mission. We encourage you to join us in thanking Valoree for her service to IAP2 Canada; we wish her the very best in her future endeavours.

As we navigate this transition, we are committed to maintaining the momentum and continuing our work toward our goals. We assure you that the process of finding a new Executive Director will be thorough and we will keep you informed about the progress.

If you have any questions or concerns during this transition period, please feel free to reach out to Rajvir Rao, IAP2 Canada Board President at board@iap2canada.ca. For operational questions, please continue to contact Valoree McKay at valoree@iap2canada.ca.

We thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to IAP2 Canada. Your engagement and involvement are what drive our organization forward.

Sincerely,

Rajvir Rao

President, IAP2 Canada

Advancing Public Participation in Canada: An Operational Update from the Executive Director

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 12:42:37 GMT

As we look ahead to the exciting opportunities that await us in the world of public participation, I would like to provide you with an operational update from IAP2 Canada. We have been actively involved in a variety of activities aimed at improving membership growth and engagement, supporting Indigenous reconciliation, promoting the value of effective P2, professional development and training, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as an operational overhaul. All of which support IAP2 Canada’s 2021 - 2024 Strategic Plan.

Here are some highlights of what we’ve been working on:

Membership Growth and Engagement:

Our efforts towards membership growth and engagement include creating valuable content, such as articles, social media, and email messaging, to promote the value of membership and better support the member journey. We have also created a new section on our website called “Community” to increase the potential value proposition and make information easily accessible.

We've taken extra care to ensure that this valuable information is right at your fingertips, making your experience as seamless and enriching as possible.

Supporting Indigenous Reconciliation:

Our successful launch and filling of the summer cohort of the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program with 20 participants has set us on course for the next cohort that commences in January 2024. We are currently recruiting participants for the January 2024 cohort.

We've enlisted the expertise of a dedicated consultant to conduct a thorough review of the IAP2 Canada Indigenous Reconciliation Framework. The invaluable feedback we receive will be openly shared with our Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive path forward. Stay tuned for progress updates!

The IAP2 Canada Indigenous Engagement Community of Practice has met regularly over the course of the year, bringing together P2 practitioners to learn from expert speakers and each other as IAP2 Canada members discuss how to advance Indigenous inclusion within the broader P2 practice in Canada. If you’re an IAP2 Canada member and would like to join the Community of Practice, please send us an email to get more information.

Promoting the Value of Effective P2:

To position ourselves as leaders and increase awareness about P2 with the public and decision-makers, we created a new “What is P2?” section on our website. The section seeks to address issues such as the importance of P2, who is involved in P2, and how one can access P2 training and resources.

Professional Development and Training:

Our unwavering commitment to enhancing the skills and knowledge of public participation practitioners has led us to introduce several new training courses and resources catering to both early-career and seasoned professionals. These include our Certificate in P2 and the new Global Learning Pathway electives, including Understanding People and Communities, Understanding Conflict in Public Participation and Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Participation and Engagement, and Working with Conflict and High Emotions. Our goal is to equip our community with the tools they need to excel in their roles and drive positive change in their P2 activities. Course descriptions for these training courses, and others, can be found on the website. We have also added two new courses for senior leaders, Public Participation and Engagement for Senior Leaders and Public Participation and Engagement for Allied Professionals.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

In our pursuit of excellence, we have invested in an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion audit conducted by an external consultant. We are reviewing the results in late Fall and sharing the findings with our members and the broader public participation community. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion also involves increasing board diversity, improving website usability and accessibility, hiring new staff from diverse backgrounds, and incorporating more diversity, equity, and inclusion focus into the trainer recruitment process.

Upcoming Conference:

Get ready for an electrifying experience at the 2024 IAP2 North American Conference! We're working on an exhilarating lineup of training, speakers, events, and activities that will redefine your conference experience. Stay tuned for updates as we unveil the secrets to making this year's event truly unforgettable.

Operational Overhaul:

We are currently undergoing an operational overhaul aimed at streamlining, updating, and documenting our processes. We have recently made changes to our staffing structure which will allow us to better support training and the membership. We have also hired an external bookkeeping firm that is working with us to create greater accountability and transparency in our accounting practices.

Our success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff, volunteers, and board members. We appreciate your continued support and engagement as we work towards advancing the practice of public participation in Canada. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of public participation in our country.

Thank you for being a part of the IAP2 Canada community. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Valoree McKay, CAE (she/her/elle)

Executive Director, IAP2 Canada

The Invaluable Benefits of Mentorship: Growing in Your P2 Career

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 18:02:19 GMT

Mentorship is an invaluable tool that can help propel us to success in all aspects of our lives, especially when it comes to our careers. Mentorship is a timeless and invaluable gift that has been passed down through generations, helping individuals navigate both life and career. In a world filled with opportunities and challenges, mentorship serves as a guide, offering wisdom, support, and invaluable insights to those fortunate enough to have a mentor. Having a mentor in your P2 career can be a game-changer. In this article, we will explore the profound value of mentorship and why it remains a cornerstone of personal and professional growth.

Read on to learn about the incredible advantages of mentorship and how it can help you reach your goals.

What is mentorship and why is it essential in P2?

Mentorship is a powerful tool in any field, but especially in public participation (P2). It involves a seasoned professional providing guidance, support, and wisdom to a less experienced individual, helping them navigate their career path. In the context of P2, mentorship is crucial for several reasons.

One of the most significant advantages of mentorship is the transfer of knowledge and experience from a mentor to a mentee. Mentors often possess a wealth of expertise and wisdom gained from years of hands-on experience in their respective fields. They can provide insights, share practical tips, and help mentees navigate challenges based on their own past successes and failures.

This knowledge transfer is invaluable, as it accelerates the learning curve for the mentee, allowing them to avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions. It provides mentees with a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of their chosen path, giving them a competitive edge in their careers or personal pursuits.

Additionally, mentorship provides a safe space for mentees to ask questions, seek advice, and gain a deeper understanding of the field.

Mentorship also helps in professional development by fostering personal growth and skill enhancement. Mentors can offer constructive feedback, share best practices, and provide opportunities for mentees to expand their network and learn from real-life scenarios. Moreover, mentorship helps build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging in the P2 community.

The benefits of having a mentor in your P2 career

Having a mentor in your P2 career can bring a multitude of benefits and contribute significantly to your professional growth. One of the most valuable benefits is the opportunity to gain insight and guidance from someone who has already navigated the challenges and successes of the field. A mentor can offer a fresh perspective, share their experiences, and provide advice that can help you make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

Additionally, having a mentor in your P2 career can provide a sense of support and accountability. Mentors can serve as a sounding board for ideas, help you set goals, and keep you motivated to achieve them. They can also offer constructive feedback and help you identify areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing your skills and knowledge in the field.

A mentor can introduce you to valuable connections and networks within the P2 community. They can provide opportunities for you to network, collaborate, and learn from professionals who may have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share. This can expand your professional network and open doors to new opportunities in your career.

How mentorship can help with professional development and career growth in P2

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in professional development and career growth in the field of public participation (P2). By having a mentor, individuals can gain access to invaluable guidance, support, and resources that can propel their careers forward.

Mentorship allows mentees to tap into the knowledge and experience of their mentors, enabling them to learn from someone who has successfully navigated the challenges and complexities of the field. Mentors can provide insights, share best practices, and offer advice based on their own experiences, ultimately helping mentees make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

Additionally, mentorship provides a safe space for mentees to develop and enhance their skills. Mentors can offer constructive feedback, identify areas for improvement, and provide opportunities for skill development and growth. Moreover, mentors often provide emotional support and encouragement, helping mentees build confidence and resilience.

Mentorship facilitates networking and connections within the P2 community. Mentors can introduce mentees to valuable contacts, collaborations, and professional networks that can open doors to new opportunities. This expanded network can provide mentees with access to a diverse range of perspectives, knowledge, and expertise.

In a world where success often depends on knowledge, personal growth, and connections, mentorship remains a timeless and invaluable resource. The guidance, wisdom, and support that mentors provide enable mentees to navigate the complexities of life and work with greater confidence and competence.

Mentorship is an essential ingredient for professional development and career growth in P2. It offers a wealth of benefits, including knowledge transfer, skill enhancement, networking opportunities, and personal growth. It is not just about personal gain; mentorship is a reciprocal relationship that benefits both mentors and mentees, fostering a cycle of growth and success that has the power to transform individuals and society as a whole.

Excited about the idea of being a part of a transformative mentorship journey, either as a mentor or mentee? We’ll be announcing the next cohort for the IAP2 Canada Mentorship Program very soon. Stay tuned for more details!

The Value of Membership with IAP2 Canada

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:48:22 GMT

Are you passionate about public participation (P2) and engagement? Do you want to make a positive impact on your community, organization, or even on a broader scale? Welcome to the world of IAP2 Canada – the International Association for Public Participation Canada.

IAP2 Canada is more than just an organization; it's a vibrant community of professionals and enthusiasts dedicated to advancing the field of public participation and engagement. Membership with IAP2 Canada is not just a mere subscription; it's an investment in your personal and professional growth and an opportunity to drive positive change in the world around you. By being a member of IAP2 Canada, you gain access to resources and opportunities that can propel your public participation career to new heights. From connecting with professionals who share your passion to accessing valuable professional development resources, the benefits of membership with IAP2 Canada are truly invaluable.

In this article, we'll explore the value of becoming a member of IAP2 Canada, including access to a global network, exciting benefits of member discounts on training, exclusive access to webinars, certification, and the opportunity to engage with chapters and communities of practice.

Access to a Global Network:

By becoming a member of IAP2 Canada, you gain access to a vast network of like-minded individuals and organizations across the country and around the world. This network is a goldmine of knowledge, experiences, and opportunities waiting for you to tap into. Whether you're seeking advice, looking for collaborators, or simply want to connect with fellow P2 and engagement enthusiasts, IAP2 Canada provides the platform to do so. IAP2 Canada offers numerous networking events, conferences, and training opportunities where you can meet and connect with other P2 professionals, both in person and virtually. These events provide a valuable opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from industry leaders. Additionally, as a member, you will have access to member directories, further facilitating connections and collaboration.

Training and Professional Development:

Continuous learning and growth are essential in any profession and when it comes to advancing your public participation and engagement career, training and professional development are key. And that's where IAP2 Canada comes in. IAP2 Canada offers its members a wealth of training opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field of public participation and engagement. What's more, members enjoy exclusive discounts on training programs and our internationally recognized Certificate in Public Participation, making it even more accessible to invest in your career development.

Certification:

For those looking to distinguish themselves in the field, IAP2 Canada offers the Certified Public Participation Professional (CP3) Program, our professional designation program available only to members. Earning a CP3 certification from IAP2 Canada not only validates your expertise but also demonstrates your commitment to ethical and effective public participation. Our CP3 certification is highly regarded in the industry and can be a valuable asset as you advance in your career.

Webinars:

Members get exclusive access to our live and on-demand webinars hosted by experts in the field of public participation. These webinars provide valuable insights and keep you up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.

Mentorship Program:

The IAP2 Canada Mentorship Program is an exclusive benefit for our members. This unique initiative is your personal pathway to growth and excellence in the field of public participation. Connect with experienced mentors who will guide and inspire you, helping you navigate the complexities of public participation and engagement. Elevate your skills, broaden your horizons, and become a true leader in the world of P2.

Community:

As a member, you have access to the IAP2 Canada communities, including local chapters and communities of practice. This allows you to connect with professionals in your region and nationally who share your passion for public participation. Through chapters and networking events, our annual conference, and communities of practice, you have the opportunity to build relationships with like-minded individuals and tap into a supportive community.

Membership with IAP2 Canada is not just a membership; it's a commitment to the values of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in decision-making processes. It's an investment in your personal and professional growth and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world. Your community, your organization, and your career will thank you for it.

Joining IAP2 Canada allows you to become part of a supportive and knowledgeable community of professionals who are dedicated to advancing the field of P2 and engagement. Through networking events, training, chapters, communities of practice, and member resources, you can connect with other P2 professionals, expand your knowledge, and make a lasting impact in your career and the field of public participation and engagement. Join IAP2 Canada today and be part of this incredible journey toward positive change.

Access member benefits now!

Celebrating Excellence in Public Participation: Announcing the 2023 IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards Recipients

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:05:16 GMT

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2023 IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in public participation and engagement. These awards celebrate projects and initiatives that exemplify the core values of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) in Canada, including Indigenous Engagement, Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture, Visual Engagement, and Extending the Practice through Creativity, Contribution, and Innovation in the Field.

Indigenous Engagement Award AND Project of the Year Award: Sea2City Design Challenge, City of Vancouver

Sea2City Design Challenge was awarded the prestigious Indigenous Engagement Award for its groundbreaking approach to collaborative planning and design on Vancouver's False Creek shoreline. Led by the City of Vancouver, this 12-month competition sought to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels, urban development, ecological revitalization, and decolonization and reconciliation with Host Nations.

What set Sea2City apart was its commitment to Indigenous engagement. Indigenous knowledge keepers and designers were actively involved, marking the first time in Canada that a competition model was used for such a planning and adaptation initiative. The project incorporated comprehensive public engagement efforts, including public learning sessions, decolonization workshops, and reflection sessions with advisory groups and design teams, ensuring broad participation and diverse voices.

Sea2City exemplifies the spirit of Indigenous engagement, fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities and setting a high standard for future projects of this nature. Furthermore, it is ready to compete on the global stage as it enters the prestigious IAP2 International's 2023 Core Value Awards.

Watch their video

Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Award: Starting with Residents: Diverse Engagement on Ottawa's Waste Management Planning, City of Ottawa and Hill+Knowlton Strategies

The City of Ottawa and Hill+Knowlton Strategies have been recognized with the Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Award for their exceptional efforts in engaging the community on Ottawa's Waste Management Planning. With over a million residents to serve and a pressing need for a sustainable waste management plan, this project was vital.

The City of Ottawa employed diverse engagement tactics, including honoraria for equity-seeking community members, multilingual content, focus groups with underrepresented communities, and the use of a paid sample. Their commitment to hearing a wide variety of voices ensured an inclusive and comprehensive waste management plan. By actively listening to its residents and stakeholders, the city is forging a path towards a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for waste management.

Watch their video

Visual Engagement Award: City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined, City of Nanaimo

City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined earns recognition in the Visual Engagement category for its innovative approach to community engagement. Unifying traditionally separate documents to serve as Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan, this project achieved record-breaking community response rates, engaging new voices and employing diverse outreach strategies. It showcased the power of visual engagement and creative communication in making public participation truly meaningful.

Most importantly, this initiative addressed participation gaps, ensuring that diverse perspectives were heard and reconciliation outcomes were prioritized. The result? A passionate community actively contributing to a vision that reflects their desires and values, setting the stage for a brighter and more inclusive Nanaimo.

Watch their video

Extending the Practice through Creativity, Contribution, and Innovation in the Field Award: Engagement in Mental Health and Substance Use: A Pilot Study, Mental Health Commission of Canada

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has been acknowledged for its pioneering work in engagement within the mental health and substance use health sector. Through an innovative pilot project, they have paved the way for meaningful collaboration with people with lived and living experience. Their standardized framework promises to revolutionize engagement strategies across the sector, emphasizing the collaborative nature of public participation.

View their presentation

Honourable Mentions: Extending the Practice through Creativity, Contribution, and Innovation in the Field

Growing Together: The City of Kitchener

This project addresses the increased demand for new housing around Kitchener's light rail transit system and aims to meet various growth, density, housing, and environmental targets. The key objective is to ensure that community engagement outcomes align with policy goals, giving community feedback significant importance.

Their innovative approach involved a room-sized, 3D printed physical model of the city, which provides a unique way to bring the city to life and visualize possibilities. Interactive workshops allowed participants to have a hands-on experience, fostering collaborative discussions about growth and change. This approach encouraged direct engagement with the city's fabric and uses practical building scenarios, making the results directly applicable to policy, regulation, and design considerations.

Watch their video

Food for Feedback: City of Burlington

The City of Burlington's Corporate Communications and Engagement division deserves recognition for its innovative "Food for Feedback" initiative. This project cleverly combines city projects in need of resident input with the universal appeal of food. By offering free meals from food trucks in exchange for feedback, this approach not only encourages participation but also fosters community connection. It's a brilliant example of community engagement and celebration, embodying the idea that "if you feed people, they will come."

View their presentation

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients and honourable mentions of the 2023 IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards. These projects exemplify the values of inclusion, diversity, creativity, and meaningful engagement, setting the standard for public participation across Canada. We look forward to seeing how their successes inspire future initiatives in the field of public participation and engagement.

Unlocking Success: The Benefits of Additional Training Options on IAP2 Canada's Learning Pathway

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:36:54 GMT

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, staying competitive and relevant in your chosen field is essential. This is especially true in the realm of public participation and engagement, where the need for effective communication and collaboration is paramount. To meet these demands, the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada offers a comprehensive learning pathway designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this field. While the core training offered in our new Certificate in Public Participation provides a solid foundation, accessing additional training options can be a game-changer.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of accessing additional training options available on IAP2 Canada's learning pathway.

Enhanced Skill Set

The core training offered by IAP2 Canada provides fundamental knowledge and skills required for meaningful public participation and engagement. However, additional training options allow individuals to expand and enhance their skills. These supplementary courses cover a wide range of topics, including facilitation techniques, diversity, equity and inclusion, conflict resolution, and indigenous awareness.. By investing in additional training, professionals can become well-rounded experts in their field, better equipped to handle complex challenges.

Specialization and Expertise

Public participation is a multifaceted discipline with various subfields, such as environmental engagement, urban planning, and healthcare communication. Accessing additional training options enables you to specialize in your area of interest, helping you gain the specific knowledge and expertise required for success in your chosen niche.

Career Advancement

In today's competitive job market, having a diverse skill set and specialized expertise can significantly boost your career prospects. Employers value professionals who continually invest in their development and can bring a unique skill set to their organization. By completing additional training on IAP2 Canada's learning pathway, you'll be better positioned for career advancement, whether it's a promotion within your current organization or a new opportunity in the field of public participation.

Networking Opportunities

One of the often-overlooked benefits of additional training options is the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. IAP2 Canada's courses attract participants from diverse backgrounds and industries. Engaging with these individuals during training sessions, workshops, and conferences can lead to valuable connections and collaborations. Building a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities and provide a support system throughout your career.

Adaptation to Changing Trends

The field of public participation is constantly evolving, with new tools, technologies, and methodologies emerging regularly. Additional training options keep you up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. This knowledge ensures that you remain agile in your approach and can adapt to changing circumstances and stakeholder expectations effectively.

Increased Confidence

Confidence is a crucial attribute for successful public participation professionals. Additional training options not only provide you with new skills and knowledge but also boost your confidence in your abilities. The more you invest in your development, the more capable you'll feel when faced with challenging situations, making you a more effective practitioner.

Conclusion

IAP2 Canada's learning pathway offers a solid foundation through core training, but the benefits of accessing additional training options are clear. From enhancing your skill set and specializing in your area of interest to advancing your career and staying up-to-date with industry trends, the advantages are numerous. Moreover, the opportunities for networking and the confidence gained from continuous learning can significantly impact your success in the field of public participation and community engagement. Embracing these additional training options is not just an investment in your career but also in the communities you serve.

Learn more about our learning pathway!

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A Visual Approach to Community Engagement - The Marten Falls First Nation Community Access Road Project

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:15:28 GMT

Award category: Visual Engagement Award, IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards 2022

Source: Marten Falls First Nation Community Access Road

Recipient: AECOM Canada Ltd.

Marten Falls First Nation (MFFN) is a remote First Nation community in northern Ontario, located at the junction of the Albany and Ogoki rivers and about 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. MFFN has a winter access road but it isn’t reliable and makes transportation of goods and people difficult. The proposed all-season road will connect the community to Ontario’s provincial highway network in the south, providing year-round access to this remote First Nations community and helping foster economic development and improved quality of life for community members.

MFFN has started an Environmental Assessment and Impact Assessment for the proposed Community Access Road. These environmental processes will determine the preferred route and identify how the proposed Community Access Road may affect the social, cultural, economic, built and natural environments. To identify the route the road will follow and to understand how best to avoid and/ or minimize Project effects, data is collected, studies are conducted, and people are consulted. This includes consultation with 23 Indigenous communities, Tribal Councils, and Provincial and Territorial Organizations, in addition to the public, government agencies and interested persons.

This project summary outlines the visual tools and informational methods used to engage community members and other stakeholders in the project.

Project Branding

The overall project branding stems from the development of the “benefits tree”, as envisioned by the MFFN Chief. The illustration highlights the positive impacts on the community represented in the form of a growing tree; it depicts the long-term growth and benefit afforded by the all-season access road. The tree illustration was one of the first items designed and set the tone for the overall design of the remaining project materials.

A custom footer design was also developed using six icons, each representing important values to the MFFN community and key areas that will be studied during the environmental processes, including vegetation, water and forests, moose, fish, birds, and activities on the land.

Lastly, the primary branding colours are drawn from the MFFN logo, reflecting the community’s chosen tone and feel.

Informational Methods

Monthly Electronic News Blasts

Monthly electronic news blasts are distributed to highlight current and upcoming activities, including a look ahead at Field Study programs, and links to discussion guides, videos, and how to participate in the Indigenous Knowledge Program.

Fact Sheets

Fact sheets provide plain language explanations about the Community Access Road and key Project milestones, like the Terms of Reference phase of the Environmental Assessment. Fact sheets are translated to Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree; ensuring that community members have equal access to the information regardless of the language they speak.

Additional informational tactics included job advertisements to hire Field Study Support Staff, field notices, a conference banner and social media posts.

Engagement methods (online and in-person)

Public Information Centres and Surveys

Two Public Information Centres have been held in Thunder Bay and surrounding municipalities; each was an opportunity to discuss the Community Access Road and obtain input from interested persons. Interactive display boards, surveys and maps - requesting specific feedback - were created, including an empty-tree illustration where MFFN community members could add benefits and voice their concerns about the proposed access road.

Discussion Guides

Discussion Guides are an opportunity to share about upcoming programs and encourage feedback on key questions, enabling people to help shape programs (like field studies) before they are conducted. Sample Discussion Guide.

Website

The website was developed with consideration for users that live in remote areas with bandwidth limitations; the information displayed is organized to meet the audience’s needs and limitations with data/ engagement methods. The site provides ongoing access to information including planned consultation and engagement activities, and serves as a method to receive feedback and comments.

Videos

Videos are created to explain topics being studied for the Community Access Road, including the “how and why”. The value of Indigenous Knowledge, to inform Western science, is a key theme. The website showcases videos in a Netflix-style layout so that people can pick the topic that interests them most, once they watch the video, they can review the Discussion Guide and fill out a survey to provide feedback.

Terms of Reference

For the Environmental Assessment, a Terms of Reference was developed. As this was issued at the height of COVID-19, a special webpage was developed along with high-level explainer videos, transcripts (English and Oji-Cree), fact sheets and download links to the report, split into smaller sizes, to make it more accessible to people with low internet bandwidth.

Colouring Pages

Colouring pages were designed for youth engagement and for use at in-person consultation events. Illustrations of animals and landscapes were developed to reflect the Project, the community values and the species that were part of the field studies.

Other In-Person Engagement Activities

In-person engagement programs are ongoing to increase participation and provide financial capacity for Indigenous communities. These include an Indigenous Knowledge Program, a Community Coordinator Program, and a Youth Engagement Program for MFFN members.

Plain language guides, Indigenous community meetings (with live translation to languages requested by communities), Chief and Council meetings and government agency meetings also took place. Visual components were considered for live meetings, including looped videos.

Report back

‘What we heard’ graphics are shared at public meetings showing feedback received and how it was considered from previous meetings. Meeting summaries are developed after every meeting with Indigenous communities. Detailed Record of Consultation reports are also created and include key issues and response tables, showing how feedback has been considered in the environmental assessment processes. All reports that track Indigenous community feedback are sent back to the communities to receive their comments and verification before publicly posting them.

Learn more about the Marten Falls First Nation Community Access Road project.

View all 2022 Core Values Award winners.

Advancing Indigenous inclusion in public participation

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:21:41 GMT

In 2015 a group of public engagement professionals asked an important question - “what should IAP2 Canada be doing to help advance reconciliation and support Indigenous inclusion in public participation (P2) and engagement activities in the organization and in our profession?".

In late 2018, the IAP2 Canada Board of Directors approved an Indigenous Inclusion Action Plan. One of the identified activities was to develop a common foundation of understanding about the history and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada within IAP2 Canada leadership so that IAP2 Canada can better participate in reconciliation by advancing Indigenous inclusion within the organization and throughout the practice of P2 in Canada.

Transformative change toward quality learning environments

Co-created with the late Sioux Elder Lloyd Ewinen and modelled on his interpretation of medicine wheel teachings, the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program was developed as a continuous and never-ending circle that goes beyond traditional learning practices to include four domains found in quality learning environments - spiritual (creativity), physical (health), intellectual (citizenship), and emotional (social-emotional).

The semi-structured, cohort-based learning program was initially developed for IAP2 Canada staff and members of the board; however, the program was made available to all P2 practitioners across Canada so they could better support Indigenous inclusion in their P2 and engagement activities.

How does the program work?

Participants are matched with a learning partner with experience working with Indigenous communities and placed into a cohort of no more than four people. Over the six-month duration of the program, participants engage in interactive and applied learning as they work through five assignments, each based on the quadrants of the traditional Medicine Wheel.

Measuring the impact of our 2022 cohort

The program's impact is measured using quantitative data, such as the number of participants and learning partners, and qualitative data, such as feedback surveys and observations including increasing the comfort level, knowledge, and awareness of participants.

In 2022 we had:

7 learning partners and 25 learners
30% increase of learners from 2021
83% said they developed a strong awareness

Feedback received in 2022 includes the following:

“I have committed to sharing knowledge and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada as part of my own desire to advance Reconciliation efforts. This program was a fantastic way to deepen my practice and expand my personal learning journey with my learning cohort.”

“This program was both eye-opening and informative in a safe and supported forum. The design of the program allowed for access to excellent resources but more importantly, connected me with people across Canada looking to learn and improve our systems to better serve our communities and Indigenous, Metis and Inuit populations. It was humbling to realize how little I understood about the historical barriers and legacy that our society carries forward today with respect to Indigenous communities. This course was a wonderful first step on my journey for growth.”

“This program is unique in how it truly deepens your awareness and understanding of Indigenous nations. It is not just theoretical, as it allows to build real relationships with Indigenous stakeholders as part of the program.”

Interested in finding out more about the Indigenous Awareness Learning Program? Get started today!

Face of the Profession

Wed, 10 May 2023 13:36:35 GMT

By the IAP2 Canada Research Committee

This fourth and final installment of key findings from IAP2’s last State of the Practice survey shines a spotlight on the demographic profile of P2 practitioners who participated and shares some insights into how the face of the P2 practice may be changing.

P2 Practitioner Profile

Half (50%, up from 39% in 2017) of P2 practitioners who made their voices heard for this survey have been practitioners between 10 and 24 years. A little more than 40% have practiced in their field between 1 and 9 years.

The government sector represents more than three-quarters (77%) of P2 practitioner respondents’ primary type of involvement in P2; this is consistent with past results where 80% reported employment with a government body. The private sector represents less than a third (29%, up from 24% in 2017). P2 practitioners also continue to work in non-profit organizations and academic institutions.

P2 practitioners play various roles within the P2 practice. Members who responded to the survey heavily represented P2 specialists (62%), followed by facilitator (56%) and consultant (56%). Less than a third play the role of a planner (29%). This helps explain the continuing additional memberships respondents have in Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the International Association of Facilitators (IAF). There is a noted rise in respondents with memberships in environment-related organisations including EcoCanada, Association Québécoise pour l’évaluation d’impacts (AQÉI) and various waste-related associations. Members are also involved with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

P2 practice is widely spread across a number of communities and industries. Most members who responded to the survey are typically involved in policy (64%) or land-use planning initiatives (64%). More than half of respondents are involved in community development (52%) and transportation (49%) projects. Fully one-third of respondents work with Indigenous communities. Other reported areas of focus include health, environment, education, affordable housing, waste, energy, and sustainability. A small number of respondents are involved in mining (12%) or human security and peacebuilding (12%) initiatives. While similar to results from prior surveying, there is less concentration of activity in community development, energy and mining in this most recent survey.

The majority of P2 practitioners who participated in the survey come from Alberta (38%), followed by British Columbia (32%), however, participation also came from every province in Canada, the Northwest Territories, and an international respondent.

Overall participation was half of that of the previous survey. Ninety-three percent (93%) of respondents are IAP2 members (it was 89% in 2017). We anticipate this reflects a COVID-19 impact as the survey was released early during the global pandemic. This survey has highlighted the much has changed as a result of COVID-19. In response to these changes, the surveys IAP2 Canada conducts will also be changing to ensure the information gathered from practitioners provides insights of value in return.

Perspectives on Effectiveness of P2 Process

Practitioner perspectives on the effectiveness of the P2 process has evolved in the last few years, perhaps demonstrating a deepening in the practice as more practitioners are taking advantage of IAP2 training, and a widening of scope more evening across various community and industry domains.

The majority (98%) of respondents agree P2 brings value to a process (the remaining 2% holding a neutral stance). Eighty-nine percent (89%, down from 94%) believe P2 benefits outweigh its cost and 11% feel neutral. Unlike the 2017 survey, no one identified that costs outweigh benefits. Sixty-three percent (63%, up from 58% in 2017) are feeling that P2 is a costly process. Eleven percent (11%) disagree, however.

This may be attributable to the wide variety of benefits identified through survey responses:

All respondents (100%) find P2 is being used to assist organizations with decision making;
96% (up from 89% in 2017) see benefits in using P2 to extract local knowledge to understand issues and concerns;
80% (consistent with 2017) believe P2 is being used to enhance support for a project;
78% (consistent with 2017) see social media and online tools increasing the effectiveness of the P2 process;
76% (up from 71%) agree the public perceives P2 to be a valuable process;
65% are seeing P2 contribute effectively to processes it is embedded within (such as Environmental Assessments); and
Some (42%, up from 34%) are observing P2 used to directly assist organizations with decision-making.

The question of value, in comparison to costs, is one that rises often for practitioners of P2. The IAP2 Research Committee are interested in studying the ‘returns’ possible through P2 and hosted a workshop at the North American Conference in Banff to begin exploring the topic. It is our hope that a clear, succinct and evidence-based analysis of benefits will demonstrate what many practitioners already know -- P2 is a value-creating activity.

IAP2 Canada 2023 Core Values Awards - Help us spread the word!

Mon, 08 May 2023 14:56:50 GMT

We are proud to recognize organizations and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their public participation and engagement activities through the annual IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards - celebrating those who exemplify excellence, quality and innovation.

Help us spread the word!

Why apply for the Core Values Awards?

   Showcase your impact
   Spotlight your creativity
   Stand out against competitors
   Build more influence in the industry
   Attract potential clients and partnerships
   Celebrate your team

The award categories

Visual Engagement Award
Organization of the Year Award
Research Award
Extending the Practice through Creativity, Contribution and Innovation in the Field Award
Indigenous Engagement Award
Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture

View the details

How to apply!

A registration fee of $100 is required for each application. The fee is in place to cover the costs of program administration. However, please let us know if this is a problem because we do not want it to be a deterrent to applying. You can pay online through the IAP2 Canada website - details are in the submission package below.

Access the 2023 Submission Package

Accéder au dossier de soumission 2023

Help us spread the word!

We’d love your help getting the word out about the 2023 IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards. We encourage you share this post with your colleagues and peers!

Below you’ll find resources to help let your colleagues and peers know about the 2023 Awards including how to apply, videos, and social updates.

Videos

You can share the following videos we posted on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

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Leading Through Change: Thoughts from the President

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:28:06 GMT

Catherine Rockandel, IAP2 Canada

March 2023

In case someone didn’t say it this month, you – the members, volunteers, trainers are the heart of IAP2 Canada. Without you, IAP2 Canada could not advance excellence in the practice, impact and the value of public engagement across Canada. As President, I am grateful for the friendships, the commitment and the dedication that you continue to contribute.

Undertaking and implementing organizational change

As we all know, organizational change and transformation can be very challenging – especially when we have limited resources as a small, not-for-profit association. Since onboarding our new Executive Director, Valoree McKay, in November 2021 we’ve had some consistent wins while we work to address some organizational challenges including staff capacity, outdated or ineffective operational systems, as well as the launching of the Certificate in Public Participation and learning pathway for the new globally harmonized training.

The Operational team has shared that they have received positive feedback on some of the changes implemented in the past few months. I want to thank our members, trainers, volunteers, and chapters for reaching out and sharing frustrations, concerns, and ideas on how we can continue to improve. The Board has taken this input seriously and strategized new approaches with our Executive Director, Valoree McKay. We’ve had to make some difficult decisions to manage competing priorities and focus our resources, and we appreciate your patience and support.

While the transitions can sometimes seem overwhelming, we’re optimistic about the positive impact of implementing some new initiatives, including:

updating our Strategic Plan to clarify several of the strategic objectives and extending the plan to 2024 ensure several activities underway can be successfully completed
investing in new automated systems to improve everything from financial management, information management including databases and learning management systems to support training programs
hiring an Association Management firm with a team of three to support administration with the intention of improving member, trainer, and volunteer experiences
hiring new staff including Claudia Sighomnou, Manager of Professional Development and Training and Sarah Alvarado (contract) who has been updating the website, marketing, and communications materials
ensuring continuation of the CP3 professional designation as the gold standard, with new updates and integration with our new learning system

Leading Change Through Collaboration

As a result of a collaborative effort with our Executive Director Valoree McKay, International representative Jane Newlands, and myself we were able to secure $40,000 in funding from IAP2 International to support French translation of the new globally harmonized training. We are very grateful to the International Board for their support!

Most recently, I virtually attended two full days of meetings with the International Board to strategize new approaches for improving processes and communications between the regions and the IAP2 International body. We look forward to sharing the recommendations that emerge from these meetings over the coming months.

Join Our Board of Directors

The Nominations and Elections Committee is preparing for the upcoming AGM and Board elections in June. If you are interested in learning more about serving on the Board, please reach out. The Board of Directors is a great team that works well together and the future is bright! We hope that you will consider joining us.

Achieving Culturally Safe Engagement with Indigenous Partners

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:18:35 GMT

Image caption: Virtual What Matters to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Patient Partners in Culturally Safe Engagements Circle, June 17, 2021

Award category: Indigenous Engagement, IAP2 Canada Core Values Awards 2022

Source: Culturally Safe Engagement: What Matters to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Patient Partners

Recipient: BC Patient Safety & Quality Council

How do we know when we’ve achieved cultural safety? When both sides leave feeling content.

This is one answer shared as the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council met with Indigenous patient partners to develop resources about culturally safe patient engagement. It was co-created with Indigenous patient partners based on conversations at an event in June 2021.

The event was co-designed and co-facilitated by First Nations patient partner, the late Gitxsan Hereditary Chief Sim’oogit Ma’os, Bill Blackwater Jr., Tammy Hoefer, Director of Patient & Public Engagement and Cathy Almost, Engagement Leader. Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) patient partners were asked what mattered to them when participating in culturally safe patient engagement opportunities. Health care partners were invited to attend as witnesses to the patient partners’ stories by being compassionate and silent observers, giving attention to others without judgement and providing a space for partners to speak their truth.

It was held in celebration of International “What Matters to You?” Day in British Columbia.

When providers have a conversation about what really matters to the people they care for, it helps ensure that care is aligned with patient preferences, builds trusting relationships between patients, families and their health care providers, and advances person- and family-centred care.

Following the event, discussion notes were themed, and eight key principles emerged:

Awareness & Understanding
Learning & Education
Build Relationships
Prepare
Kindness & Empathy
Respect
Value
Listen

Themes were developed into key messages, recommendations, and actions. The actions listed come from some suggestions made by the patient partners, but mostly from the lived experience and learnings of Cathy Almost on her journey of self discovery. Cathy would like to give credit to Verna Howard, Gitxsan, Cherie Mercer, Nisga’a, Victoria English, Blackfoot, Edna Leask, Selkirk, Donna Simon, Métis, Sheila Dick, Secwepemc and Mark Matthew, Secwepemc for their generosity in sharing their knowledge about living an Indigenous life and how to engage Indigenous voices in a good way.

Bert Azak, a Nisga’a graphic designer, contributed his artwork and designed two resources: an at-a-glance document which summarizes the principles, and a companion guide which provides further details about the conversation that took place during this event. These resources represent a moment in time when 13 patient partners gave their opinions about culturally safe patient engagement.

Read the Companion Guide

View the Pamphlet

Our Journey to Increasing Audience Support & Engagement

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:54:52 GMT

Over the past few months, the IAP2 Canada team has continued to work on enhancing marketing and communications, launching new training and professional development, and improving our administrative processes. Our goals include strengthening and increasing awareness of the IAP2 Canada brand as the leading public participation and engagement organization, promoting best practices and the value of effective P2 to decision makers, and enhancing the digital transformation strategy to improve communications and learning systems so we can attract new business and partnerships to IAP2 Canada. View the updated Strategic Plan 2021-2024.

A few things we are currently working on to support these strategic goals include:

implementing a new LMS system to improve efficiency, communication, and the overall user experience for our training and professional development services
onboarding a new Association Management firm with a team of three people to support administration with the intention of improving member, trainer, and volunteer experiences
enhancing our brand presence by updating web page design and content on the current website to make it more user and SEO friendly, changing the sitemap so information is easier to find, and enhancing our social media presence
working toward a bilingual website in 2023 to better support our Francophone audience
researching new website and membership platforms, for potential implementation in 2024-2025, that have more capabilities and updated features including better design, mobile responsiveness, accessibility, SEO tools, plugins, and integrations
streamlining and updating our regular emails, including:
- monthly “P2 Insights & Updates” email that provides timely, relevant updates about IAP2 Canada happenings
- twice monthly “Upcoming P2 Training Opportunities” email keeping our audience informed of training and professional development scheduled for the upcoming 2-month period
- new “Quarterly Connections” email that highlights relevant articles, successes, tips, tools, and resources to help support your public participation and engagement activities

If you have questions about any of these, or other IAP2 Canada initiatives, please get in touch at info@iap2canada.ca.

6 Reasons to Enroll in IAP2 Canada’s NEW Certificate in P2

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:39:29 GMT

Decisions that impact the public should not be made in isolation. Public participation is about engaging with the public during the decision-making process, benefiting from their diverse range of ideas, views, and concerns, and using that information to make better decisions.

Here are 6 reasons to enroll in IAP2 Canada’s Certificate in Public Participation.

Broaden your spectrum of understanding and provide current and practical tools for meaningful and effective public participation.
Enhance your professional credibility and open up new career opportunities in the field of public participation.
Bringing a new level of expertise to your organization and improving the quality of your public engagement initiatives.
Learn how to increase engagement and inclusion for all people including racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, and other groups who are more likely to be overlooked, identifying a wide range of ideas, views and concerns.
Engage in better decision-making that reflects public interests and values making it easier to communicate, implement, and understand the process, decisions, and impact.
Build capacity for collaborative decision-making over the long-term by improving relationships and increasing trust between decision-makers and the public.

What’s different about IAP2 Canada’s NEW Certificate in Public Participation?

IAP2 Canada’s Certificate in Public Participation builds on the foundations of public participation training and best practices from around the globe to provide participants with approximately 30 hours of specialized training in public participation and engagement.

We’ve taken the best of stakeholder and engagement training from around the globe to create the new certificate program. The training explores best practices, how to design meaningful public participation and engagement, and how to apply this knowledge in your work.

Who should participate?

P2 practitioners are a diverse community of professionals, citizens, academics, and decision-makers who are committed to involving the public in decisions that affect them.

The IAP2 Hosted Certificate in Public Participation course bundle is recommended for:

New and emerging practitioners beginning their journey in public participation and engagement
Experienced P2 professionals, as a way to demonstrate your commitment to best practices and ethical standards in public engagement.
Anyone involved in engagement projects in all levels of government, private industry, utilities, environmental agencies, community organizations, not-for-profit and education providers who would like to understand and deliver meaningful engagement in a Canadian context.

Find out more!

What is a Community of Practice? Do I need one?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:33:41 GMT

Communities of Practice are groups of people who share a common interest, set of ideas, or concerns and come together to support each other, interact, and learn together.

These communities are a great way to meet others working in public participation and engagement, extend your networks, learn from others in your profession, and share ideas and issues. Members can share resources, experiences, stories and tools and build their skills and knowledge in their particular industry.

At IAP2 Canada, we currently have 4 communities of practice available to our members:

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Indigenous Engagement
North American Energy Sector
Young Professionals Network

Many engagement practitioners work alone or in small groups, so these groups can provide members with valuable encouragement, support, development, and a sounding board.

Find out more!

Introducing IAP2 Canada’s NEW Certificate in Public Participation

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:20:14 GMT

Why should you participate?

Broaden your spectrum of understanding and provide current and practical tools for meaningful and effective public participation.
Enhance your professional credibility and open up new career opportunities in the field of public participation.
Bringing a new level of expertise to your organization and improving the quality of your public engagement initiatives.
Learn how to increase engagement and inclusion for all people including racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, and other groups who are more likely to be overlooked, identifying a wide range of ideas, views and concerns.
Engage in better decision-making that reflects public interests and values making it easier to communicate, implement, and understand the process, decisions, and impact.
Build capacity for collaborative decision-making over the long-term by improving relationships and increasing trust between decision-makers and the public.

Who should participate?

P2 practitioners are a diverse community of professionals, citizens, academics, and decision-makers who are committed to involving the public in decisions that affect them.

The IAP2 Hosted Certificate in Public Participation course bundle is suitable for:

New and emerging practitioners beginning their journey in public participation and engagement
Experienced P2 professionals, as a way to demonstrate your commitment to best practices and ethical standards in public engagement.
Anyone involved in engagement projects in all levels of government, private industry, utilities, environmental agencies, community organisations, not-for-profit and education providers who would like to understand and deliver meaningful engagement in a Canadian context.

Upcoming core training courses hosted by IAP2 Canada

We’ve created the following options for IAP2 hosted training opportunities to allow for flexibility of schedule and the level of our learners.

IAP2 Hosted - Certificate in Public Participation Course Bundle - for Level 1 Practitioners

March 21, 2023 – April 14, 2023
Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

We recommend the IAP2 Hosted Certificate in Public Participation (for Level 1 practitioners) course bundle for:

New practitioners beginning their journey in public participation and engagement
Anyone involved in engagement projects, who wants to understand and apply the fundamentals of meaningful and effective public participation and engagement

Not yet ready to pursue the certificate program as a bundle?

IAP2 Canada hosted courses are also offered individually throughout the year. Our upcoming core courses include:

IAP2 Hosted - Fundamentals of P2 and Engagement

March 21 & 22, 2023
Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

IAP2 Way in Challenging Contexts

April 4 & 5, 2023
Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

Designing P2 and Engagement

March 27-30, 2023
Early bird deadline is March 14, 2023

Applying Methods

April 17-20, 2023
Early bird deadline is March 22, 2023

If you're not sure where to start your learning journey for the IAP2 Canada Certificate in Public Participation, take a look at our learning pathways.

View all upcoming training

Available On-Demand! 2022 IAP2 North American Conference

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:18:51 GMT

Did you know you can still register to access more than 35 on-demand sessions at your own pace through the 2022 IAP2 North American Conference (NAC) Digital Experience?

The 2022 IAP2 NAC offered 3 days of live programming during the in-person conference that featured sessions by thought leaders from across the public participation and engagement landscape.

Get ready to expand your skill set, gain insights and spark inspiration in your public participation and engagement practice.

Member Pricing

$400 plus taxes

Non-Member Pricing

$550 plus taxes

Did you attend the 2022 NAC in person?

Don't forget! All in-person full-conference registrants have on-demand access to the conference recordings with their registration.

Virtual Hub Login

Meet the Co-Chairs of the new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Community of Practice

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 18:27:09 GMT

Meet our new co-chairs of the EDI CoP. In the coming weeks, the co-chairs will be working with the IAP2 Canada operational team to plan the schedule, topics and speakers of the EDI CoP for the upcoming year.

Tanushree Pillai is an anti-racism educator, DEI facilitator, and communications consultant who speaks six languages. Tanushree has more than a decade of experience in communications, and has been doing EDI work in various capacities since 2016. Her professional, lived, and educational experiences in EDI are a strong part of her identity.

Dorsa Jalalian is a passionate urban designer, project manager, and community engagement specialist with over 8 years of public participation experience in the Middle East and North America. Dorsa’s lived experience and strong belief in diversity, equity and inclusion has led her to advocate for designing inclusive cities through community engagement and to initiate EDI conversations in her industry.

Stay tuned in the coming months for the launch of this Community of Practice to sign up for this educational topic.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are key priorities for IAP2. The goal being that EDI CoP participants come away feeling that they have gained knowledge and networks to help them advance their own careers, and that they have had the opportunity to share in order to assist others.

Rencontrez les co-présidents de la nouvelle communauté de pratique sur l'équité, la diversité et l'inclusion

Rencontrez nos nouveaux co-présidents de la CdP EDI. Au cours des prochaines semaines, les coprésidents travailleront avec l'équipe opérationnelle de IAP2 Canada pour planifier le calendrier, les sujets et les conférenciers de la CdP EDI pour l'année à venir.

Tanushree Pillai est une éducatrice en matière de lutte contre le racisme, une animatrice de l'IDE et une consultante en communication qui parle six langues. Tanushree a plus de dix ans d'expérience dans le domaine de la communication, et fait du travail d'ÉDI à divers titres depuis 2016. Ses expériences professionnelles, vécues et éducatives en matière d'EDI constituent une part importante de son identité.

Dorsa Jalalian est un designer urbain passionné, un gestionnaire de projet et un spécialiste de l'engagement communautaire avec plus de 8 ans d'expérience de participation publique au Moyen-Orient et en Amérique du Nord. L'expérience vécue de Dorsa et sa forte croyance en la diversité, l'équité et l'inclusion l'ont amenée à plaider pour la conception de villes inclusives par le biais de l'engagement communautaire et à lancer des conversations sur l'EDI dans son secteur.

Restez à l'écoute dans les prochains mois pour le lancement de cette communauté de pratique et inscrivez-vous à ce sujet éducatif.

L'équité, la diversité et l'inclusion (EDI) sont des priorités clés pour AIP2. L'objectif est que les participants à la CdP sur l'EDI repartent avec le sentiment d'avoir acquis des connaissances et des réseaux qui les aideront à faire progresser leur propre carrière, et d'avoir eu l'occasion de partager afin d'aider les autres.

Conference Board of Canada receives International Core Value Award for Research

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:38:17 GMT

Engaging the public as a project is being developed is one thing; but how to track the engagement and monitor it over time is still an issue. A tool for helping to guide more effective community engagement planning took one of the top honours in the 2022 IAP2 Canada Core Values Award and has now received top honours from IAP2 International.

IAP2 International announced yesterday, at the IAP2 Australasian conference in Melbourne, Australia that the Conference Board of Canada received the IAP2 International Research Award for their project “Empowering Communities to Monitor Major Projects in Impact Assessments”, in which an Engagement Indicators Playbook was developed. The Board’s researchers recognized a need for a tool to help plan and sustain public participation and Indigenous engagement processes, in view of the growing influence of gender, equity, Indigenous reconciliation, climate action, and sustainability on engagement.

The Playbook, its guidance, and its indicators, were developed through an iterative and participatory research process led by a research team, Colin Brown, Marta Bristow, Gillian Kerr, and Twiladawn Stonefish, from May 2021 to February 2022.

Learn more at https://www.conferenceboard.ca/focus-areas/sustainability/community-engagement-indicators

The award winners represent best practice in the field of public participation and serve as model of excellence for others to emulate. Winners and finalists are recognized for their contributions to the field in the areas of indigenous engagement, community development, health, infrastructure, environment, disaster and emergency services as well as for their creativity, innovation and inclusion. This is a testament to the tremendous expansion, professionalism, and impact of our field of expertise.

Finalists for the ’best of the best‘ international awards were gathered from entries submitted by IAP2 Regions in Australasia, Canada, and United States.

Source: International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)

Digital Engagement Strategies for a Divided Room

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:23:11 GMT

How can digital and hybrid approaches support engagement when participants are polarized? We have all learned that power, privilege, and the inability to understand one another’s perspectives are key challenges for engagement today.

Risk-averse organizations might turn away from public engagement for fear of contentious online discourse, or lean into highly controlled digital strategies with flat surveys and limited conversation spaces; but many are leaning into the challenge to build digital and hybrid engagement spaces that are dynamic, equity-minded, welcoming, and creative.

Hear from experienced digital engagement practitioners about strategies and tools for bringing diverse voices into conversations and offering opportunities for consensus, while supporting safer/welcoming spaces for a divided public.

Thanks to 76 Engage and The HiVE, this webinar is free for all.

Technology Lead Sponsor

Technology Sponsor

Join us November 10 from 12-1pm Eastern / 9-10am Pacific!

Bios

Joseph Thornley is founder and CEO of 76engage. He currently leads the 76engage development team and assists governments at the national, state and local levels to design, build and run effective online engagement initiatives. Prior to founding 76engage in 2015, he founded Thornley Fallis Communications in 1995v and 76design in 1999. He is a past Chairman of the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms and founding Director of IAP2 Canada’s National Capital Region Chapter.

Elizabeth Thornley designs and builds online engagement experiences aimed at providing the public and stakeholders with meaningful input and opportunities.

She has worked with local, provincial and federal governments.

Sophia Robison is an urban planner and advocate for community engagement for The HiVE & Social PinPoint. Sophia works to build a community of best practice in public engagement, particularly around the use of digital technology. Previously, Sophia worked in local government, notably with the City of Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning where she created the City’s first Public Engagement Guide and implemented that program across more than five City Departments. She created the City’s engagement response to the pandemic, EngagePGH, a digital one-stop-shop for all things public engagement for City residents.

Ose Akinlotan is the Neighborhood Planning Manager for the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. She serves as the department’s Equity Liaison and has project managed master plans in the City’s Hill District and Hazelwood neighborhoods, as well as creating an educational series for City residents about city planning. She has navigated community engagement throughout the pandemic using various in-person, hybrid, and digital engagement tools. Ose earned a Master’s of Geography and Environmental Planning from Towson University and a bachelor’s in history from The Morgan State University. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Ose worked for the City of Dubuque, Iowa’s Planning Department and the Iowa DOT.

2022 IAP2 NAC Digital Recordings Coming Soon

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:16:15 GMT

The 2022 IAP2 North American Conference (NAC) offered a unique opportunity to meet, communicate and collaborate with other P2 specialists and champions from across Canada. Our diverse community of professionals, citizens, academics, and decision-makers are committed to involving the public in decisions that affect them.

As the pre-eminent organization for public participation and public engagement in Canada, our conference offers a unique opportunity to meet, communicate with and share stories with other P2 practitioners and champions from across Canada.

Our theme this year is “Connecting with Purpose”: connecting through differences; connecting to achieve diverse representation; connecting with Indigenous ways of knowing; connecting through the screen; connecting with the P2 community.

All of our conference sessions were recorded in Banff and Digital Conference attendees will receive access to the recorded conference sessions in October so you can enjoy them at your own pace later.

Learn more

Appointment of IAP2 Canada Officers of the Board of Directors

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:19:20 GMT

At the first meeting of the new board, held in September in Banff, Alberta, the officers for the 2022 - 2023 year were appointed. These four individuals constitute the Executive Committee, whose role it is to manage, or supervise, the management of the affairs of IAP2 Canada between board meetings.

Meet our board of directors

Barriers to Inclusion in P2

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:29:58 GMT

By the IAP2 Canada Research Committee

This third installment of key findings from IAP2’s bi-annual State of the Practice survey shines a spotlight on barriers to inclusion in P2 practice in Canada. Lisez la version française

The survey puts particular emphasis on challenges to providing equitable and inclusive engagement for participants whose first language may not be English. While survey respondents indicated it is common (73%) to translate written material into other languages, the ability to provide real-time in-session translation with an interpreter remains rare (common for only 14% of respondents). These results show no reported progress in ability to include real-time in-session translation services since the 2017 survey and no reported change in translation of written materials.

P2 practitioners responding to the survey are commonly making use of partnerships to meaningfully engage with non-English-speaking participants (62.5%), however this is also lower than reports from 2017, when 72% were commonly consulting community associations for the best approach. Respondents identified online materials and web tools (78%) and printed materials (74%) as the most popular tools for engaging with non-English-speaking participants. Tools reported as least commonly used include hands-on activities (24%), virtual site tours (26%), facilitation or consensus building tools (31%), images/videos of sites (32%), paper-based or in-person surveys/questionnaires/polls (33%), and interactive maps or other tools (39%).

Forty-two percent (42%) of respondents indicated it is common to have no support or procedures in place to work with non-English-speaking participants. With the 2016 Census reporting that a slim majority (58.1%) of all Canadians have English as at least one of their mother tongues, this reality does not match linguistic trends in Canada. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia: (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/languages-in-use)

Although French and English are Canada’s only two official languages, the country’s linguistic diversity is very rich. According to the 2016 census, an increased number of Canadians are reporting a mother tongue or language spoken at home other than English or French compared to in previous years. This is in addition to a large diversity of Indigenous languages.

Survey respondents indicate language diversity in social media and online engagement has improved, rising from 30% in 2017 to 43% in 2020. Interviews, surveys, questionnaires and polls in other languages are also more common (now common for 50% of respondents).

Beyond language-related barriers to inclusion affecting P2 participants, respondents noted the following issues:

67% reported issues related to equity in community representation;

64% reported barriers to engaging citizens beyond planning;
60% indicated lack of public education about the process of P2 creates barriers;
57% commonly find communicating technical, financial and other information creates barriers;
54% reported barriers to consensus building; and
50% identified managing conflict creates barriers.

IAP2 Canada’s Research Committee noted several barriers to participation in the design of the State of Practice survey. Several comments by respondents supported our observations. We also note that while insights about barriers to inclusion related to language can be gathered from the survey, other aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are not. The Committee looks forward to making improvements to future surveys to improve both the experience of participants and the value of the results to practitioners.

IAP2 Canada is here to help you reduce barriers to inclusion in your on P2 practice. Of particular note, the following learning opportunities are available:

See Beyond Inclusion: Equity in Public Engagement – A Guide for Practitioners produced in partnership with the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and associated Research Paper.
The IAP2 Event Calendar regularly includes topics to help overcome barriers to inclusion and members can also access past Webinars, Tasters, and North American Conference Session Rewinds
An Indigenous Engagement Community of Practice and Indigenous Awareness Learning Program have been developed to support the P2 Practitioners in their efforts to remove barriers with these rights-holders.

President's Message - July 2022

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:00:32 GMT

We live in interesting times, and this is especially true for elected officials and/or policy makers. The public expects them to step in to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events on infrastructure, and address the ever-increasing number of people struggling with mental health issues, poverty, homelessness, traffic congestion and other complex issues that keep growing.

In the context of a local government or public agency, decision-makers provide direction to staff by putting in place strategic plans and defining goals and values to inform policy development and of projects. It is a complex process that often requires the search for compromises. This is where things get interesting, as residents realize how certain issues are affecting their lives and what they might have to give up to fix them. Members of the public have different opinions about development, zoning changes, official community plans – especially if they affect marginalized communities – or intensification.

Diverse interests are often accentuated by coordinated digital campaigns that have the potential to refocus the conversation, shifting a dialogue about choices and trade-offs into a polarizing campaign intended to promote different perspectives and even attack decision-makers at individual title. This means that decision-makers may feel increasingly isolated and challenged to oppose a plan they originally supported; in some cases, they may even be bullied. Not all dissenting opinions manifest as a coordinated digital disinformation campaign designed to amplify and propagate hate speech, systematically manipulate political discourse, or disrupt decision-making,

As practitioners of public participation, we are frequently asked for advice. What strategies do you find most effective? What techniques have you learned, during AIP2 Canada training or through the organization's networks, and which have proven to be effective? How can we convince decision-makers to involve the public and residents early in the process – before a plan is developed – so that these people realize the value they bring to the process and the compromises they are willing to make? Are we able to organize community conversations to explore the impact of choices on other people and on the system as a whole? Can we help participants see beyond their own interests and become aware of certain things (for example, “Ohhh…Icontributes to traffic jams" rather than "Traffic jams make me late", or "It is advantageous for me to buy a house in an area where prices are lower, but the price of housing increases, which which means that people who occupied accommodation in a basement or a less expensive rental house will have to find accommodation elsewhere”).

As practitioners of public participation, we can design processes that raise these kinds of questions, explore trade-offs, and help people see beyond their own interests. Also, when people see their views taken into account, they tend to be more accepting of policies and decisions that they may not fully support. We are all part of the problems we face, which means we all have a role to play in finding a solution.

P2 Research and Practice Has Gone Digital!

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 14:17:20 GMT

The IAP2 Canada Research Committee presents bite-sized information and graphics from the 2020 State of Practice Survey results.

This summer we shared some key findings from IAP2’s semi-annual State of the Practice survey noting that P2 practice in Canada appears to be ‘pandemic proof’. Respondents identified virtual and digital engagement tools as key to pandemic-resilience.

When asked about the impact of COVID-19 on their P2 practice, not surprisingly, almost all respondents reported an increase in virtual engagement and a decrease in in-person engagement. Based on responses, it appears the virtual environment prevented some groups from participating as much as before the pandemic, while other groups found participation more feasible (e.g. young parents).

Less than 12% of respondents indicated they did not use web-based or mobile tools in their engagement practice. Online surveys, questionnaires or polls are most commonly used, however the predominance of these in proportion to other digital tools has dropped since the last survey. Social media tools such as Facebook and Instagram, and to a lesser extent, Blogs and Twitter, have risen in importance as a ‘go to’ for P2 practitioners. The survey results demonstrate that P2 practitioners have seized the challenge of pivoting to online tools and learning new skills and platforms.

However, the complexity of the virtual and digital realm is adding challenge to P2 practice. Respondents identified concern about barriers to virtual engagement for people who lacked access to the online environment or lacked skill or comfort with online tools. Greater effort by practitioners seems necessary to ensure underrepresented groups are included in engagement activities. Losing in-person engagement during the peaks of the pandemic had a noted negative impact, particularly for hard-to-reach groups such as the Indigenous community and rural farmers. Some practitioners identified that meaningful conversations were harder to have online and harder to facilitate. Some also identified that participants overall do not prefer these tools and/or have difficulty using them.

Of particular concern, survey respondents identified a lack of engagement tools and technologies as a significant barrier; in fact this gap had the highest weighted average among noted barriers, surpassing language, policies and meaningful metrics (i.e. those that make the case for future engagement effort). Technical information was also identified as harder to present electronically.

IAP2 Canada is here to help you reduce barriers to practice in the virtual and digital space. Of particular note, the following learning opportunities are available:

COVID-19 and its impact on the field and practice of public participation (Webinar)
COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Field and Practice of Public Participation (IAP2 sponsored research by authors Stephanie Yates and Hugo Mimee )
Digital Engagement, Social Media & Public Participation (2017 research paper by Susanna Haas Lyons)

To continue your innovation journey in the virtual and digital space, visit the IAP2 Event Calendar to register for the many opportunities available for strengthening your digital engagement skills.

P2 Research and Practice Emerge Pandemic-Proof

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 14:04:00 GMT

The IAP2 Canada Research Committee presents bite-sized information and graphics from the 2020 State of Practice Survey results.

As world leaders begin to talk about a future transition to normalcy, we reflect on the impact COVID-19 has had on P2 practice in Canada. Last fall, while still in the thick of lockdowns, waves, ‘pivots’, and other things pandemic, IAP2 Canada reached out to P2 practitioners with the bi-annual State of the Practice survey. We asked you how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted your work – and you spoke up with courageous optimism. What you said is not surprising: P2 research and practice has been pandemic-resilient!

First and foremost, the majority of survey respondents are optimistic about the future of P2 despite the ongoing pandemic. Practitioners believe that COVID-19 has had a significant and lasting impact on their P2 work, including driving them towards using more virtual and digital engagement tools. They agree that this shift is here to stay.

On the flip-side, one in ten survey respondents agree that COVID-19 has financially impacted their P2 work and one-fifth believe that there has been a decline in the quality of P2 work as a result of the pandemic

IAP2 Canada continues to examine the trends affecting P2 practice across the nation. IAP2 sponsored research by authors Stephanie Yates and Hugo Mimee into COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Field and Practice of Public Participation. This paper builds understanding of remote participatory approaches in our new virtual and digital practice. Watch for the release in September.

IAP2 Canada also continues to actively tailor learning and networking opportunities to support members in ‘pandemic-proofing’ their P2 work, including digital transformation and building capacity for diversity, equity and inclusion.

To continue your own learning journey to ‘pandemic-proof’ your practice, register for the many opportunities available through IAP2 Canada. Learn more

Pandemic-Proof

64% of respondents are optimistic about the future or P2.
78% of respondents are using and expect to continue to use more digital or virtual tools than before the pandemic.
75% of the respondents agree or strongly agree that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and lasting impact on their P2 work

Areas to Monitor

10% of respondents agree or strongly agree that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted their financial income as a P2 practitioner.
13% of respondents believe that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will lead to a decline in the quality of P2 work undertaken.