Public Engagement

Public engagement (or public participation) refers to organized processes designed to include input from members of the public in decision-making. Engagement highlights that the process is interactive, with members of the public working with regulatory officials and experts to assess, manage, and shape decisions concerning a particular issue. For example, state, national, or international governments and agencies could engage with the public to decide on clean air or water rules, create standards for open Internet access, or develop regulations for responsible genetic research. The form of engagement and who is included vary depending on the context and specific goals of the process. Typically, public refers to individuals who will be affected by an issue or could affect its outcome. The engagement provides a way for ...