Support the spread of “good practice” in generating, managing, analysing and communicating spatial information 1 Free, Prior and Written Informed Consent (FPWIC)‏ Issues and implementation in the context of PGIS By: Miguel Castrence, Jeff Fox and Wendy Miles Unit: M02U03

2 Presentation outline Background and rationale Definitions and questions Challenges Risks and unintended consequences Implementation

3 Background and rationale What is informed consent? Two components: Disclosure: making information publicly known Permission: approval to do something ‏

4 Why does informed consent matter? Facilitation of participatory decision- making Fairness in negotiations Sustainability of agreements Background and rationale

5 What can we learn from existing examples of informed consent? Why do we need informed consent in PGIS? Background and rationale

6 How can we develop protocols for Free Prior Written Informed Consent in PGIS?

7 Free means completely voluntary. How can this be defined and ensured in practice? Definitions and questions

8 Prior means advance notice. What activities require consent? How far in advance must consent be sought?

9 Definitions and questions Written means formally documented in print. Is a written, legally binding document necessary? How can consent be negotiated and documented in an oral society? What if people are reluctant to be pinned down in writing?

10 Definitions and questions Informed means open, understandable, two- way communication. What information must be provided? In what form should information disclosure take place?

11 Definitions and questions Consent means general agreement among all members of the community. How is consent given and who gives the consent? How can negotiations maintain trust and legitimacy? How detailed should any statement or agreement be?

Exercise: “Seasonal calendar”

Exercise: “Informing”

14 Risks & unintended consequences Some examples of potential negative impacts of PGIS: Exclusion from participation due to lack of technical knowledge Increasing tensions or aggravating power relations among stakeholders Enabling privatization of resources Breaching trust from loss of confidentiality

15 Risks & unintended consequences Discussion of case studies: Transparency and informed consent in PGIS: Oaxaca, Mexico Successes and failures of PGIS: East Sumba, Indonesia Good and bad practices in PGIS: Ratanakiri, Cambodia

Exercise: FPWIC documentation

17 Implementation Checklist for FPWIC in PGIS: Statement on purpose of proposed PGIS project Explanation of type of maps/data to be produced Description of methods used to collect data and produce maps Statement on expected time frame for PGIS project

18 Implementation Checklist for FPWIC in PGIS (cont’d): Explanation of rights (e.g. voluntary participation, confidentiality, etc.) Explanation about custodianship of outputs of PGIS project Description of any reasonably foreseeable risks Explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the project Statement of agreement to participate in the project