About IAP2

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.

IAP2 was founded in 1990 as the International Association of Public Participation Practitioners (IAP3) to respond to the rising global interest in public participation. The initial mission was to promote the values and best practices associated with involving the public in government and industry decisions which affect their lives. The founding members assembled a Board of Directors, developed by-laws and policies, and organized the first annual conference in Portland, Oregon, in 1992. Practitioners, both professional and volunteer, were identified as the primary constituents for membership; a newsletter and an annual conference were selected as initial IAP2 activities.

IAP2 quickly grew and developed into an organization which looks beyond the formal practitioner to include all people involved in public participation. IAP2 added a semi-annual journal, web site, and local chapters to its list of services. In 1996, IAP2 changed its name to reflect this growing diversity and inclusiveness of membership. The organization has grown from 300 members in 1992 to over 1,050 in 2007, with members from 26 countries. Conferences have been held every year since 1992, alternating between U.S. and Canadian locales.

In the past few years, IAP2 has continued its growth and established itself as a leader in the field. In 1999, IAP2 launched its Certificate Training Course in Public Participation providing comprehensive training in the tools and skills needed for effective participation. The twelth annual Core Values Awards for Excellence in public participation will be awarded in San Diego in September 2009.

The is one Affiliated association in Australasia. The UK & Ireland are preparing for Affiliation in 2009.

Board of Directors

IAP2 is directed by a 15 member volunteer Board of Directors from Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States . The Board is elected at-large by the membership; the Australasian Affiliate are represented on the Board and officers are elected by the Board. Board members serve three-year terms.

International Presence

The IAP2 team consists of an Executive Director, Moira Deslandes who works from WiIllunga, South Australia, Australia; with support staff in the USA and in Australia.

Board members are volunteers who can be elected from any part of the world.  They are joined by a team of virtual volunteers who also span the globe.

Committees

The Board hosts committees to advance its mission and presence.  Membership of these committees includes Board members and non-Board members. 

Current committees include:

• Training Committee - convened by Gale Simpson
• Finance and Business Development Committee - convened by Terry Koch
• Core Values 2009 - convened by Marty Rozelle and Geoff Wilson
• 2009 Conference: Sustainable Decision-Making - convened by Lewis Michaelson
• Research Committee - convened by Pat Crawford and Terry Williams
• Membership Committee - convened by Desley Renton and Amelia Shaw

Chapters and Membership

Being a member of IAP2 enables you to network with like-minded professionals committed to promoting the practice of public participation.  Chapters exist throughout North America.  In Australasia an Affiliate has been developed to network across the Tasman Sea and throughout that region.  The UK and Ireland are finalising the foundations of an Affiliate for their region and a fledgling group is emerging in France.  Individual members in other parts of the world connect through on-line networking. 

The IAP2 organization has grown from 300 members in 1992 to over 2500 members and networks of associates in 2009. IAP2 members can be found in many parts of the world including:

United States Canada Australia United Kingdom New Zealand South Africa Japan Iceland

China Finland France Lebanon Mexico Poland Slovenia Thailand

For more information on IAP2 membership, please visit the membership section of the IAP2 Web site.