Stakeholders Engagement in REDD+ Gwendolyn Smith Ph.D.

What is Stakeholders Engagement? Passive participation “Being told what is going to happen” Information sharing and dialogue “Responding to inquiry” Consultation “Discussion space with professional analysis” Interactive participation “Collaboration and joint analysis” Joint-decision making Enabling participation of those who influence a decision, or can influence it or those affected by it

In REDD+? REDD+ Framework Intrinsic conflict/negotiation Passive participation Information sharing and dialogue Consultation Interactive participation Joint-decision making In REDD+? REDD+ Framework Intrinsic conflict/negotiation Stakeholder Engagement Provide transparency and timely access to information A process of dialogue and consultation Based on democratic principles of voluntarism, self-selection and selection of own processes Achieves equity and accountability in communication between stakeholders Aim to develop collaboration, partnerships and networks Provides a fair and accessible mechanism for grievance redress and conflict resolution

In Suriname?

R-PP Engagement Process Participation level: information sharing, dialogue and consultation International guidelines: FPIC, self selection Collaborative learning approach Time constraint Cost effective Distrust

Three phase process Stakeholder analysis Process design Implementation

Analysis phase Issues Investment Sources of power Interaction Attitude Tactics Current role/jurisdiction Potential future role

Design phase Principles Equality Integration Transparency Ownership Recognition Trust Structure Meetings Information Facilitation Training Grievance redress

Implementation phase Expert facilitation Conflict resolution interventions Support in awareness raising and communication Record keeping Monitoring (MAPCID) Evaluation by stakeholders themselves

Quiz What would you say when…………….. 1. Stakeholders become unresponsive to the issue 2. Half of the stakeholders have the same ideas 3. You hear blaming language 4. There are few questions/reaction from stakeholders 5. You read complaints from stakeholders in the newspaper 6. Stakeholders clearly say what they want

The future? Stakeholder engagement is not a stand alone issue

Avoid treating the stakeholders engagement process as generic and static

Current process is significantly different from R-PP Needs institutionalization

Avoid a false start by making a thorough analysis and smart design

Avoid having a good plan that fails in its implementation

Thank you! Email: gwen@attuneteam.org Phone: 8109811