What Is "Participation"?

All too often "participation" is equated with "consultation" so that participation becomes meaningless unless there is a serious expectation that the process can influence the outcome. This sometimes applies as much to NGOs as to governments.

Participation is a right enshrined in the international human rights instruments; in order to be empowered people need to know that they have a right to participate and that this means that they can make a difference. Only in this way can their sense of worth and power be enhanced.