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Case Study 6 : TRAINING COURSES IN THAILAND AND JAPAN
Several countries in Asia have become extremely interested in public participation. As a result, Jim Creighton was asked to conduct public participation training courses in both Thailand and Japan.
In November 2004, Creighton conducted a two-day training course in public participation for 85 participants, mostly Thai government officials. The training course was sponsored by King Prajadhipok's Institute, an institution established by the Thai National Assembly to promote democracy through research, education, and training. The Thai Constitution describes public participation in governmental decision making as a fundamental right, but the implementation of that language is still being worked out.
The King Prajadhipok's Institute recently published a second edition of Creighton's book, Involving Citizens in Community Decision Making. The first edition sold out, and was reported to be widely read in government circles. The book was translated into Thai by Dr. Vanchai Vatanasept, with a grant from the Asian Development Bank. Dr. Vanchi was also the organizer of the training.
Creighton also conducted a public participation training session for representatives of the Japanese electric utility industry. The Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) sponsored the session, which was held at CRIEPI's offices in Tokyo. CRIEPI staff also translated a publication Creighton developed for the Edison Electric Institute called the Introduction to Public Participation, and CRIEPI is distributing this document to its utility members.
Public participation is a relatively new concept in Japan, and utility companies are still a bit tentative about when to use it, and which techniques are appropriate within Japanese culture.
The Japan Science and Technology Agency recently sponsored an international workshop to consider appropriate mechanisms for public participation in Japanese science and technology policy and decision making. Lars Kluver, Danish Board of Technology, Sergio Belluci, Swiss Science Council, and Jim Creighton were asked to participate and comment on research reports developed by a team of Japanese researchers. They also participated in a public symposium on public participation in science decision making, with a particular emphasis on the consensus conference method.
A group of Japanese researchers recently visited the United States to discuss public participation in transportation planning. While in the US, they conducted interviews with a number of public participation and dispute resolution practitioners, including Creighton.
Creighton anticipates conducting additional training course in Thailand, and has also been invited to present a briefing on public participation for officials of the Asian Development Bank as part of that trip.
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