Step 1 Select a dimension of ex/inclusion Open
Multidimensional
Relational
Intersecting risks and drivers
Dynamic
Multi-layered and contextual
ParticipatoryWhen it comes to inclusion, participation covers the issues of active citizenship, nature of authority and public confidence in state institutions, the role of individuals or groups in public life, and power relations. It also comprises, but is in no way reduced to, the process of voting.
If understood in such a way, participation is not a mere formality. It is a right that deserves to be pursued on its own. It is also becomes instrumental in boosting social acceptability, effectiveness, equity and legitimacy of policies and their outcomes. This last points is of particular relevance in the case of emerging and forming agendas – such as inclusive development or climate change adaptation – as this work is often not only of a technical nature but goes hand-in-hand with concerns of public acceptance and/or uptake of the new measures.
Two inclusive policy markers are derived to support work in this regard.
Step 2 Select an Inclusive Policy Marker Open
Participation is not an opportunity occasionally extended to the affected parties. It is, rather, a founding component of the inclusive development agenda. Two key considerations support further policy thinking in this regard.
Step 3 Select a Policy Design Consideration
To be meaningful, participatory processes should not be sporadic or, as it is often the case, be limited to the policy formulation stage. Participation, with a particular emphasis on the excluded or exclusion-prone segments of the population, must be planned for and delivered throughout the policy cycle – i.e., at all levels and stages of priority setting, policy formulation, budgeting, implementation and, importantly, provision of feedback on what works and what does not perform at the expected level. Thus, the fact that an education policy is designed in a participatory manner may not be enough if participation (e.g., through school boards in the governance of the system and its institutions) and ownership by all stakeholder groups are not among the objectives of the said policy.
Explore concrete examples on the map.