Photo: Kordi Vahle Briefly analysed
Public Engagement (PE) is still in its first steps in Germany. When building it up, the expertise of PE representatives is just as important as that of citizens. The best way is that both exchange in a co-creative dialogue. If people from society can participate from the beginning, this has advantages: Public Engagement representatives shape the field from the beginning according to the wishes and ideas of society. They are actively involved in the process and understand what PE means and what benefits it has for them. Thus, they demand it. Public Engagement gets more attention and weight.
Exchange In addition to experts, citizens and their opinions are important for the development of Public Engagement. Why and how representatives can shape this exchange with them.
Public Engagement (PE) is a field that is currently being developed in Germany. In this phase, it is important to involve citizens. In other words, it is significant to heed their voices. This is just as essential as the expertise of PE representatives. The best way for them is to sit down with various people from society in a co-creative exchange and share their views. If they are allowed to participate from the beginning, representatives can build and develop PE more sustainably.
Equal goals for greater effectiveness
The basis for this is a codex. It is currently being developed by various experts and will be presented at the end of this year. Everyone can participate. The codex specifies which guidelines and values PE follows in Germany. In general, the representatives must represent the same goals with PE. This is the only way to make it effective. To make it constantly better, it is important to discuss the code with the citizens. Their opinion should be included, because the engagement ultimately reaches them.
Exchange with people who are less interested in science
In the exchange, representatives need to make clear why knowledge about science and its methods is important for citizens and how it benefits them. Once they understand this, they in turn should share what they expect from PE and how or where best to reach them. Of course, this is a general inventory and should be asked later individually depending on the target group. Above all, it is important to exchange ideas with people who are less interested in science. So that Public Engagement is also designed for this group right from the start. Because offers often reach people who are already interested in science.
Advantages of the exchange with citizens
Representatives understand what citizens want through a co-creative exchange. This then flows into Public Engagement. They also know what PE means from the beginning. They understand why they need it. This happens most easily when the public is actively involved in the process from the beginning. Another advantage is that when citizens understand what PE is and want it themselves, they demand it. This gives it more attention and weight – also at the political level.
How to reach citizens
To reach citizens first, representatives can draw on the experience of cities. Some of them use citizen participation. Colleagues from the PE field who have already successfully implemented projects are also good contacts.