About Us

The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Australasia is for people who implement or participate in public decision making processes.

Our Vision – Better decision making, stronger communities, active democracies.

Our Mission – To advance the practice and be the leader in the field of public participation through vibrant membership and dynamic learning.

Our International Reputation - IAP2 Australasia is proud to be recognised as an Affiliate of the International body. IAP2 is an international association of members who seek to promote and improve the practice of public participation in relation to individuals, governments, institutions, and other entities that affect the public interest in nations throughout the world. IAP2 carries out its mission by organizing and conducting activities to:

• Serve the learning needs of members through events, publications, and communication technology;
• Advocate for public participation throughout the world;
• Promote a results-oriented research agenda and use research to support educational and advocacy goals;
• Provide technical assistance to improve public participation.

The International Association for Public Participation is a not for profit organisation founded in the United States in 1990 to advance the practice of community engagement and promote the values and best practices associated with involving the public in decisions that affect their lives.

IAP2 – One Great Network - IAP2 Australasia has a direct connection to practitioners and organisations across the region, including Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Members include local councils, statutory authorities, energy companies, major infrastructure and consulting companies.

Our History - The Australasian Affiliate, created by a handful of far-sighted, dedicated individuals ten years ago is one of the largest and fastest growing regions of the International Association, currently experiencing 25-30% annual growth in turnover and a corresponding growth in membership and learning and development activity.

Our Focus -

The three Key Priority Areas for IAP2 Australasia are:

Practice Development – To advancing the practice of community engagement by

- Extending – more people being involved, more organisations undertaking public participation as an embedded practice in their day to day business
- Expanding – by improving the quality of the practice
- Deepening – commissioning strong research which creates a robust evidence base for further development of the practice

Member Support – Meeting the current and future needs of its members through

- Meaningful membership – comprehensive program of member services, including networking events and activities -
- Connection and Learning – further developing the community of practice where members are able to share with each other, learn, and further develop the practice of community engagement through new tools and techniques, professional development,
- Growth

Leadership - To provide leadership for the sector and to distil – or ‘make sense of’ – the practice of community engagement, leading the innovation and integration and embedding of public participation practice into the DNA of governments, public and private sector organisations and community-based groups.

- The source of information and advice about the practice (basic), current and future directions, sharing new innovations from around the world
- Make visible the state of the practice, and able to describe where the practice of public participating is heading
- Encourage more researchers to focus on best practice in public participation and make presentations

The IAP2 Australasia Strategic Plan 2010-2012

IAP2 Australasia’s 2010-2012 Strategic Plan is a carefully drawn map that provides focus and guides the activities of the Association.

It is built on the foundations of past successes and the knowledge that public participation is a fast-growing practice across Australasia with a corresponding growth in membership. The Strategic Plan is the result of a consultation process with the IAP2A Committee and the Regional Co-ordinators for each of the regions (New Zealand) and states (Australia). It is underpinned by our intention to put people at the centre of the decision making that impacts their lives.

Governance and Management

IAP2 Australasia is managed locally, and led state by state and country by country, and is resourced by a professional team located in Australia.

A volunteer Board of ten elected members come from diverse backgrounds, and bring a broad range of skills, and a passion for community engagement. Board members live and work across Australia and New Zealand and meet quarterly. The President, Carla Leversedge, chairs the Board; it is responsible for the governance of the organisation so that its aims and objectives are met whilst also acting ethically and prudently, remaining within the law, and meeting specifications set out in undertakings to supporters and funders.

Working Sub-Committees are listed below, and report quarterly to the Board.

- Finance, Audit and Risk Management – convened by Michael Robertson, as Treasurer
- Regional Coordinators – convened by Tanya Buchanan, Executive Directoreach meeting
- Training
- Practice Development

Other responsibilities are lead by

- Governance - Roger Tweedy
- Membership – Geoff Cook

Staff – The IAP2 professional team is lead by the Executive Director, Tanya Buchanan. Together with Lesley Ryall and her team, they provide the leadership and governance, and day to day support for the organisation.

IAP2 Australasia – putting people at the heart of the decision making that impacts their lives.