International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)

Brooks and Associates are members of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), and our practice of public participation is guided by:

1) IAP2's Core Values     
2) IAP2's Code of Ethics    
3) IAP2's Public Participation Spectrum

What is the International Association for Public Participation all about?

The following foundation of public participation were developed and fine tuned through
a collaborative process by public participation practitioners around the world in the 13 years since the organization was formed. Both decision makers and participants find these worthwhile and meaningful.

1. The public should have a say in decisions about actions that affect their lives.
2. Public participation includes the promise that the public's contribution will influence the decision.
3. The public participation process communicates the interests and meets the process needs of participants.
4. The public participation process actively seeks out and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected.
5. The public participation process involves participants in defining how they participate.
6. The public participation process provides participants with the information they need to participate in a meaningful way.
7. The public participation process communicates to participants how their input affected the decision. 

1. Purpose. We support public participation as a process to make better decisions that incorporate the interests and concerns of all affected stakeholders and meet the needs of the decision-making body.
2. Role of Practitioner. We will enhance the public's participation in the decision-making process and assist decision-makers in being responsive to the public's concerns and suggestions.
3. Trust. We will undertake and encourage actions that build trust and credibility for the process and among all the participants.
4. Defining the Public's Role. We will carefully consider and accurately portray the public's role in the decision-making process.
5. Openness. We will encourage the disclosure of all information relevant to the public's understanding and evaluation of a decision.
6. Access to the Process. We will ensure that stakeholders have fair and equal access to the public participation process and the opportunity to influence decisions.
7. Respect for Communities. We will avoid strategies that risk polarizing community interest or that appear to “divide and conquer.”
8. Advocacy. We will advocate for the public participation process and will not advocate for a particular interest, party or project outcome.
9. Commitments. We will ensure that all commitments made to the pubic, including those by the decision-maker, are made in good faith.
10. Support of the Practice. We will mentor new practitioners in the field and educate decision-makers and the public about the value and use of public participation.