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
Inclusive policies are those that are designed in an inclusive manner and produce inclusive outcomes. The process, in this case, counts as much as the end results. Throughout their design, inclusive policies are representative and are meant to take account of legitimate – and frequently competing – interests of all potentially affected parties. Participatory or open approaches to decision making and stakeholder engagement should be taken, therefore, as a normative goal of such policy interventions.
Attention is to be equally paid to the existence or creation of institutional and regulatory mechanisms of participation. Participation should not be an opportunity occasionally extended to the affected parties and/or allowed on discretionary basis only in certain instances. Rather, it should be guaranteed and entrenched into policy-associated systems and processes. This goes to the heart of the matter of effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (SDG 16).
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