Community engagement forum
Communities are not homogenous or monolithic entities. Communities are comprised of diverse individuals and power groups. Usually, communities cohere around a particular defined geographic area.
Communities are also geographically spread individuals who are converge around a common identity or purpose, or through shared experiences or struggles.
Community can be built through complex coalitions and alliances that can include numerous actors and leaders, intentional partnerships and relationships with various repositories of power. Communities in certain contexts may self-identify as a cohesive group and approach legal organizations for assistance qua a community of individuals.
Community engagement occurs through differently structured relationships, including communities as clients, communities as partners, communities as research participants, and communities as allies.
Each configuration alters the roles and responsibilities of the parties to the relationship, but the principles of community engagement are equally, if differently, applicable. Given the diverse relationships, a baseline of common principles is necessary to guide community engagement.
In Establishing a Community Engagement Forum (CEF) the CEF should cover local communities within the site’s Area of Influence, meaning people living nearby that could be directly or indirectly affected by any mining-related activities or other activities of importance.
The geographic limits that CEFs represent can be decided on a case-by-case basis based on the nature of impacts experienced in different areas, as well as local cultural, political and geographical circumstances.
The CEFs are designed to facilitate open and accountable dialogue and build greater mutual trust. CEFs are one means amongst many that promote greater accountability, transparency and should not replace other stakeholder engagement or participatory monitoring mechanisms.
See The Glory Consulting Enterprise can assist with regards to the Following services:
- Facilitate the Establishment of the CEF
- Conduct the verification of the Members of the CEF
- Establish a database of CEF Members
- Develop Terms of Reference of the CEF
- Facilitate the CEF Meetings
- Develop the CEF Engagement Plan.
Stakeholder expectations for communication and engagement, at all levels of society, are changing – both in terms of mechanism and scope. We need to respond to this and provide local stakeholders with a forum for engagement that is genuinely collaborative.
Our Professional and dedicated staff members is looking forward to interact with you in making sure that your Community Engagement is effective and Impactful.
See The Glory consulting Enterprise “it begins with a single step”
