Other issues
- How does engagement balance debate on the major issues and policy and the need to deal with micro community issues?
- Processes need to incorporate multiple motives for engagement, including perhaps community motives to lobby or criticise government, and government’s motive to showcase community engagement.
- What practical strategies help communities and governments manage competing interests and conflict?
- How does government manage the risk involved in community engagement? Potential risks are committing government to actions it can’t fulfil, overcommitting meagre resources, exposing agency business to political leverage through community lobbying and possible political embarrassment.
- To what extent is engagement framed in terms of government providing better services and policy, as opposed to enhancing the broader role of fostering vibrant, sustainable communities?
- To what extent is a comprehensive engagement policy needed, as opposed to the flexibility of more specific approaches?
- Community engagement may often involve tailor-made solutions in different communities. Yet government must maintain the principle of equity and minimise precedent.
- Engagement processes must deal with both the tangible and intangible aspects of community development. The hard issues of jobs, infrastructure and income need to be simultaneously addressed with softer community motivation, perceptions and values.
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