UN conference
Conference objectives
- Promoting understanding of the concept of engagement and participative practices and its role in good governance
- Exploring 'what works', showcasing innovation and promoting good practice
- Sharing practice knowledge across the globe, at local, regional and state levels; and promoting learnings across disciplines and sectors
- Discussing and developing conceptual and theoretical frameworks and directions for the future and the evidence base which underpins this practice
- Building understanding and evidence of leadership, capacity and capability issues for citizens/community and government/institutions
- Creating ongoing national and international networks and collaboration creating communities of interest around the issue
Participation in the conference
The International Conference on Engaging Communities was attended by over 2,300 senior members from 44 countries. Many organisations took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their work at a major international forum and included:
- government
- leading researchers
- consultants
- practitioners and representatives of the private sector
- non-government organisations
- community organisations
- senior executives from key international agencies (United Nations, World Bank)
What was the key outcome?
Brisbane Declaration on Community Engagement
Brisbane Declaration on Community Engagement was prepared following deliberative discussion and feedback prior to and during the conference.
The process of developing the Brisbane Declaration aimed to act as a catalyst for mobilising the global community and developing common understanding, shared visions and goals.
Who contributed to the Declaration?
A draft of the Declaration was reviewed and revised to reflect the feedback from the community of practitioners, academics, policy advisers, government and citizens who responded to a questionnaire.
The Declaration has drawn on a number of sources and leading academics for global definitions and aspirations for community engagement:
- International Association of Public Participation (IAP2)
- Queensland Government's community engagement guides
Importantly, there were also a number of deliberative sessions on the Declaration held during the conference. Feedback from these sessions has been incorporated into the final version of the Declaration.
