|
| |
Multi-stakeholder
Processes
(MSPs)
are processes that aim to bring together all major stakeholders in a new form of
decision-finding (and possibly decision-making) on a particular issue. Ideally,
they are based on recognising
the
importance of achieving equity and accountability in communication between
stakeholders, involving equitable representation of different stakeholder groups
and their views. They are based on democratic principles of transparency and
participation, and aim to develop partnerships and strengthened networks between
stakeholders. MSPs cover a
wide spectrum of structures and levels of engagement. They can comprise of
dialogue (statements, exchange and discussion), or grow into processes of
consensus-building, decision-making and implementation. The exact nature of any
MSP will depend on the issue, the participants, the time-frame, available
resources, and other variables. MSPs are an important tool for sustainable
development.
Stakeholders
are those who have an interest in a particular decision, either as
individuals or representatives of a group. This includes people who influence a
decision, or can influence it, as well as those affected by it.
(see Hemmati 2002: Multi-Stakeholder Processes - Beyond Deadlock
and Conflict. London: Earthscan)
More:
My work on MSPs includes:
Prepared a
report on Participatory Dialogue and Social Integration
for the
United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs,
Division for Social Policy and Development, to be published in
February 2007.
Previously member of the UN DESA Expert Group "Dialogue in the Social
Integration Process: Building peacueful social relations - by, for and with
people", convened in November 2005.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/egm/index.htm
sponsored by the Metanoia Foundation, the Fetzer Institute,
the Synergos Institute, Global Action
Network-Net, the United Nations Development Programme, the Society for
Organizational Learning, and Generon Consulting.
The GDP is a community building and action research initiative. It The project aims to contribute to the world's capacity for addressing complex
global challenges, including problems such as environmental degradation, poverty
and disease, and deepening political, social, and economic divides.
www.generativedialogue.org
 |
Preparing a report on 'Participatory Dialogue and Social
Integration' for the social development department of the United Nations. |
|
Supporting the development and implementation of Leadership
for Conservation in Africa, a partnership between conservation bodies and
businesses, furthering conservation-led socio-economic development in Africa. |
|
Coordinating the Action Research activities and
participating in the Core Group of the Generative Dialogue
Project (GDP), which focuses on
the connection between personal and societal change and on the potential for
transformative dialogic processes to generate radical change on a global scale.
www.generativedialogue.org
|
|
As a partner in SD2 Partners - Stakeholder Dynamics for
Sustainable Development,
helping
companies to understand, adapt to, and use their dynamic stakeholder
environment. SD2 works to enable clients to act rather than re-act, using a
targeted approach that focuses on identifying economic consequences in relation
to stakeholder engagement, leading to improved corporate strategy and
risk/opportunity management.
www.sdpartners.net
|
|
Teaching / training in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes,
w.g. in a course with The
Collective Leadership Institute; or with The ISO process on social
responsibility. |
|
Serving as a Consultant to IUCN - The World Conservation Union,
working on the Seed Initiative - Supporting Entrepreneurs in Environment
and Development, an innovative international award scheme,
capacity-building and research & learning programme for sustainable
development partnerships.
http://seedinit.org |
|
Developing
a methodological framework for multi-stakeholder processes, including
principles and practical guidelines, based on analyses of values and ideology,
relevant social scientific research, global governance context, process
examples, and international consultations and workshops. 2001-2002.
|
|
Designing
and
co-coordinating
(with Robert Whitfield)
the
Implementation Conference:
Stakeholder Action for Our Common Future,
held in Johannesburg in August 2002, a multi-stakeholder process and
conference that resulted in 26 concrete stakeholder partnership initiatives
towards the implementation of sustainable development in the areas of
freshwater, energy, food security, and health. Preparations involved extensive
networking, facilitation and brokering of partnerships among stakeholders,
governments, and intergovernmental bodies. Co-managed an international team of
20+staff and interns; worked closely with external researchers, professional
facilitators, and knowledge management experts.
2000-2002.
(Summary Report) |
|
Center for Corporate Responsibility and
Sustainability CCRS at the University of Zürich, Switzerland: Scoping the
feasilibility of initiating stakeholder dialogue with the finance sector,
October - November 2003. www.ccrs.unizh.ch |
|
Further
experiences include designing,
facilitating
and supporting
multi-stakeholder dialogues at
the international and national
level,
for example:
workshops on bioprospecting &
benefit sharing (1999, 2000); around
the informal environment
ministers meeting in Norway (2000); the international conference on freshwater
(Bonn, 2001); Local Agenda 21 (Heidelberg, 1997-98); and with individual
organisations and corporations (for
example, the Government of Germany; Swiss Re; Bayer CropScience).
|
|
