The 2025 conference theme, "Empowering Voices, Inspiring Participation," is about amplifying varied perspectives, fostering welcoming dialogue, and creating meaningful engagement that drives positive change. It’s about equipping individuals and communities with the tools, confidence, and opportunities to make their voices heard and their participation impactful.

What better place to gather than San Antonio, Texas? The 2025 North American Conference will take place September 28-30 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, bringing together hundreds of public participation leaders from all levels of government, private industry, education, environment, health, transportation, academia, and community-based organizations from across North America and beyond.

We hope to see you there!

Relive this great international meeting and learn from the experience and knowledge in Public Participation of professionals from all over the world.

To access the recording log on to:
https://www.iap2latinoamerica.org/eventos

In addition, we invite you to continue being part of IAP2 activities in Latin America and participate in the upcoming course to be held during the month of May:

https://www.iap2latinoamerica.org/curso2023
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7043938977376059393

We invite you to stay tuned to news from the IAP2 Latin America Region in the following media:
- https://www.iap2latinoamerica.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/IAP2Latam
- In this link you can join our WhatsApp group: click here

Together again, at last! After more than two years of “settling” for online events, the 2022 IAP2 North American Conference (Sept. 14 - 16 in Banff) will finally be an in-person, face-to-face get-together!

And that means that if you have delivered innovative engagement that can inspire, challenge, or explore new methods, tools, best practices and practical approaches, you’ll be able to do so live, in person, with those colleagues in the same room!

The time is NOW to APPLY to submit a proposal  for a conference session, workshop or poster presentation. Our Call for Proposals is open to ALL (members and non-members).

To give you more time, we’ve extended the deadline: you now have until Monday, March 7, 2022.

Being together again gives this year’s Conference theme even more meaning: “Connecting with Purpose” is about connecting with the P2 community; connecting to achieve diverse representation; connecting with Indigenous ways of knowing; connecting through differences; connecting through the screen.  

NOTE: this year’s Conference will be both in-person and Virtual Lite, with some of the presentations live-streamed to those who prefer not to travel at that time. Let the committee know if your session would be suitable for hybrid delivery.

If you have any questions, please contact info@iap2canada.ca

Connecting with Purpose

2022 Sponsor and Exhibitor Prospectus

Lire en français

Over 40 professional development opportunities!
New ideas! A chance to re-energize!
#IAP2NAC

IAP2 is thinking of you and your families, hoping that you and yours are staying safe and healthy as we all deal with COVID-19 and its effects. We know that with COVID 19 we are in ever changing times. Recognizing that, the IAP2 Canada Executive Committee has asked the Conference Steering Committee to continue planning for the Banff Conference. Why? We still don’t have enough information to make a final decision and they wanted to provide something to look forward to. Both IAP2 Canada and IAP2 USA will continue to monitor the situation and will make a final go/no go decision in June or early July, earlier if possible. We know that this is not ideal but, we are doing the best we can and we thank you for your patience, understanding and support.

For now let’s celebrate the Conference’s Schedule at a Glance. After the period of “involuntary layoff”, you’ll want to get back into the game, to elevate your engagement and be part of the mountains of possibility this profession has to offer. So what better way to do that, than by joining us for the 2020 IAP2 North American Conference – September 9 through 11 in Banff, Alberta! There’ll be 35 sessions, half a dozen workshops, networking opportunities galore and of course, the Core Values Awards gala!

Schedule-at-a-glanceRegisterHotel Reservations

Conference DetailsBecome a SponsorSponsorship Application

Take a look at the NEW Schedule-at-a-Glance. Each session has a “sub-theme”, like “Building from the Grassroots Up”, “Equity and Diversity for Better Solutions” or “Failure Makes Better” From building relationships among stakeholders, to using research for planning initiatives, to giving children and youth more of a voice to building relationships among stakeholders, you’ll find lots to energize, rejuvenate and give you “fresh air” in your P2 work.

We know what you’re thinking: “I have a P2-related business. How can I support this brilliant conference and show how I feel about P2?” We’re glad you asked! We have some new and innovative sponsorship opportunities! Check out the many levels of sponsorship we have to offer! That includes the 2020 Conference app: a new way for Conference-goers to stay connected and for your company or organization to start and build new relationships!

Register by June 30 to get early-bird discount pricing (if anything changes you will receive a full refund). Reserve your room at the Banff Centre for the Arts: special Conference pricing is in effect until August 7. And remember: your registration includes your ticket to the Core Values Awards gala, Thursday, September 10.

Come join us in the Rockies!

IAP2 USA and IAP2 Canada

LE SYMPOSIUM DES COMPÉTENCES 2020 DE L’AIP2 CANADA DEVIENT VIRTUEL !

En ces temps d’incertitude, nous souhaitons à vous et à vos proches santé, force et solidarité.

Faisant suite aux récents développements de distanciation sociale au sujet de la COVID-19, l’AIP2 Canada a dû annuler son Symposium des compétences 2020 à Regina. Par contre, cette distanciation sociale ne va pas nous empêcher de vous offrir de nouvelles possibilités d'apprentissage en participation publique !

Après deux semaines intenses de webinaires, de cafés-causeries et d’un cocktail virtuel pour discuter des questions de participation publique via l’entremise de nouvelles technologies, nous sommes ravis de lancer le tout premier Symposium virtuel des compétences de l’AIP2! (lien vers le site web anglais)

Du 4 au 15 mai 2020, nous offrirons de nombreux cours en ligne (tous en anglais), incluant plusieurs cours qui devaient être offerts antérieurement à Regina. Vous aurez donc l'occasion d'apprendre auprès de certaines des meilleures formatrices de l’Amérique du Nord dans le confort de votre maison ! Vous aurez la chance aussi d’apprendre par l’expérience le potentiel de la formation en ligne.

Veuillez noter que la programmation d'une formation en ligne sera très différente de celle d'une formation en personne. Les cours en ligne seront divisés en segments de deux ou trois heures avec des sessions multiples (par exemple, un cours traditionnel d'une journée sera désormais divisé en deux sessions de 3 heures ou trois sessions de 2 heures), et dans certains cas, les formations pourront s’étaler sur la période de deux semaines. Veuillez consulter le calendrier pour vous informer des cours disponibles, ainsi que l’horaire de chaque cours.

Ces formations en ligne auront une réduction de 25 % par rapport à nos tarifs habituels et des tarifs préférentiels pour nos membres. Les tarifs pour ces cours en ligne commencent à 245 $ pour les membres et 280 $ pour les non-membres (6 heures de formation en ligne est l'équivalent à une journée de formation traditionnelle).

Cours des cours - en anglais seulement :

IAP2’S STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH OPPOSITION & OUTRAGE (Stephani Roy McCallum)

En ce qui concerne les publics difficiles, cette formation s’adresse à des praticiens d’expérience et intègre les principes fondamentaux de l’AIP2 et les travaux du Dr Peter Sandman sur la communication des risques. Vous y apprendrez des stratégies et comportements qui vous permettront de travailler plus efficacement avec les collectivités et les parties prenantes en contexte d’indignation.

THE NIMBLE FACILITATOR (Rebecca Sutherns)

Êtes-vous un facilitateur/trice expérimenté(e) ? Souvent, cette « expérience » implique des processus qui peuvent déraper de manière inattendue. Comment remettre ces processus d’engagement sur les rails ? Cette formation met en vedette des preuves scientifiques, des expériences vécues et même de l'improvisation pour vous donner la capacité d'adaptation nécessaire pour faire avancer le processus.

MEANINGFUL TOOLS - POWERFUL OUTCOMES (Kim Hyshka)

Si vous êtes à court d’idées sur les moyens constructifs de rassembler les gens, ou si vos processus vous permettent uniquement d’entendre les mêmes voix et les mêmes thèmes, cette formation peut vous aider à sortir de cette impasse. Cette séance interactive enrichira votre trousse à outils de différentes techniques qui vous aideront à animer des conversations plus intéressantes et plus puissantes. Vous ferez l’apprentissage de techniques telles que les foires aux idées, la recherche par amorce photo (Photovoice) et la mise en récit, et les cercles socratiques.

INDIGENOUS INCLUSION: PUTTING THE TRC CALLS INTO ACTION (Anne Harding & Steve Francis)

La Commission de vérité et réconciliation (CVR) du Canada a proposé une feuille de route comportant 94 appels à l’action destinés à améliorer les relations entre les peuples autochtones et l’ensemble des Canadiens. Si vous êtes appelé à réaliser des activités visant à favoriser la participation des communautés autochtones dans le cadre de votre travail, cette formation vous aidera à garder ces aspects à l’esprit. Elle offre des connaissances fondamentales, des exemples concrets et des techniques dynamiques de résolution de problèmes pour les personnes qui travaillent à l’avancement de la participation autochtone au sein de leur communauté professionnelle et personnelle.

BRAVE, HONEST CONVERSATIONS (Stephani Roy McCallum)

Dans le cadre de leur pratique, les praticiens de la P2 sont de plus en plus confrontés à des situations inconfortables et lourdes de tension et de préoccupations. Cette formation (niveau intermédiaire à avancé) vous aidera à consolider vos compétences en leadership et à faire preuve de courage, de compassion et de responsabilité dans le but de créer un impact réel.

SOCIAL MEDIA & P2 (Susanna Haas Lyons)

Les outils numériques sont essentiels pour continuer l’engagement du public pendant l'ère de la COVID-19. Ce cours vous apprendra comment à créer des campagnes de médias sociaux qui recueillent des contributions de manière créative, qui permettent des interactions en ligne collaboratives et qui soutiennent la participation au fil du temps. Nous identifierons les obstacles à la participation et examinerons les stratégies visant à instaurer l'équité et l'inclusion en ligne. Vous apprendrez aussi les meilleures pratiques pour faciliter les réunions en ligne.

DELIBERATIVE DIALOGUE FOR POLARIZED ISSUES -- DESIGNING FOR PUBLIC LEARNING, LISTENING AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS (Susanna Haas Lyons)

Apprenez à cultiver un débat public informé et réfléchi dans cette période de discours polarisé. Cette formation vous montrera des techniques pour aider les participants à s’informer sur un enjeu, à créer un espace pour une délibération approfondie et à solliciter un retour d'information détaillé sur les options de politiques publiques. Nous explorerons trois méthodes populaires pour encourager la délibération/dialogue publique sur des questions de politique publique : les jurys/comités de citoyens, les assemblées publiques et le scrutin délibératif.

WHEN THINGS GO SIDEWAYS (Kim Hyshka)

Parfois, les plans les mieux organisés déraillent - pendant l'événement même ! Comment gérer l’indignation et d’autres émotions inattendues, tout en gardant le contrôle de la situation et en avançant les choses? Cette formation vous guidera à travers des exercices, des discussions et des présentations multimédias. Vous aurez la chance de découvrir des stratégies collaboratives pour créer un environnement propice à un engagement constructif.

Afin de se rapprocher le plus de l'expérience des sessions en personne, les formations du Symposium virtuel des compétences seront « en direct » et interactives et incluront des sessions en petits groupes (« small group breakouts »).

Ne tardez pas --inscrivez-vous dès aujourd'hui (lien vers le site web anglais)!

Rendez-vous en ligne !

AIP2 Canada

2020 IAP2 CANADA SKILLS SYMPOSIUM GOES VIRTUAL!

As this period of uncertainty continues, we’d like you to know that you are all on our minds at IAP2 Canada, hoping you and your families are staying safe and healthy! With public gatherings and in-person meetings currently on “pause”, the 2020 IAP2 Canada Skills Symposium in Regina has been cancelled.

But is that stopping us from offering learning opportunities?

Not a chance!

After an intense couple of weeks of hosting COVID-19 webinars and Coffee Chats to discuss online P2 issues, we are excited to launch the first ever IAP2 Virtual Skills Symposium!

From May 4th to May 15th, many of the courses that were going to be offered in Regina will be presented online. You’ll have the chance to learn from some of the top trainers in North America, in the comfort of your own home! See for yourself the power and potential for online training.

Please note that scheduling online training is very different from face to face. Online courses will be offered in two or three hour segments with multiple sessions (for example a traditional one day course will now be broken up into two 3-hour sessions or three 2-hour sessions) and in some cases over the two week period. PLEASE check out the Schedule-at-a-Glance for specifics of what courses are available and the timing for each multi-session course.

We are offering online courses at a special discounted rate - online courses start at $245 for members and $280 for non-members (6 hours of online training is equivalent to a traditional day of training).This is a 25% discount from our regular Skills Symposium rates.

Courses on offer:

IAP2’S FOUNDATIONS - PLANNING (Tannis Topolnisky)

Do you need comprehensive training in P2 basics? Do you need a refresher? This course takes you right to the basics: what P2 is, its rationale, and how to develop P2 objectives that can become part of an organization’s process. It’s a great introduction for newcomers to the practice, managers and experienced practitioners who need a refresher.

IAP2’S STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH OPPOSITION & OUTRAGE (Stephani Roy McCallum)

In a time when people are becoming more entrenched in their positions and less willing to consider something different, public meetings can get contentious and even hostile. This course will provide you with strategies to help you work more effectively with communities and stakeholders.

THE NIMBLE FACILITATOR (Rebecca Sutherns)

Are you an experienced facilitator? Often, that “experience” involves processes that come off the rails unexpectedly. How do you get them back on track? This fun-filled session combines neurological evidence, real-life experience and even improv to give you the adaptability to keep the process moving forward.

MEANINGFUL TOOLS - POWERFUL OUTCOMES (Kim Hyshka)

Do you find yourself running out of constructive ways of bringing people together? Do you constantly hear from the “usual suspects” but suspect you’re not getting as diverse a group as you need? Meaningful Tools, Powerful Outcomes is an interactive session that will fill your toolbox with new and innovative techniques, like PhotoVoice, Socratic circle and an Ideas Fair.

INDIGENOUS INCLUSION: PUTTING THE TRC CALLS INTO ACTION (Anne Harding & Steve Francis)

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) offered a roadmap to improved relationships between Indigenous and all Canadians through the 94 Calls to Action. If your work involves engaging Indigenous communities, this course offers foundational knowledge, real-life examples, and dynamic problem-solving so you can keep that in perspective while advancing Indigenous inclusion in your professional and personal communities.

BRAVE, HONEST CONVERSATIONS (Stephani Roy McCallum)

Increasingly P2 practitioners are faced with situations that are fraught with discomfort, tension and concern. This course for intermediate to advanced practitioners will help build your leadership skills. You will practice courage, compassion and responsibility for impact.

SOCIAL MEDIA & P2 (Susanna Haas Lyons)

Digital tools are essential for public participation in the age of COVID-19. This hands-on course will teach you to create social media campaigns that gather input creatively, enable collaborative online interactions, and sustain participation over time. We'll identify barriers to participation and examine strategies to build equity and inclusion online. Learn best practices for facilitating online meetings.

DELIBERATIVE DIALOGUE FOR POLARIZED ISSUES – Designing for Public Learning, Listening and Making Recommendations (Susanna Haas Lyons)

Learn to cultivate informed and thoughtful public discussion in this age of polarized debate. In this course you’ll learn techniques to help participants learn about an issue, create space for in-depth deliberation and generate detailed feedback on public policy options. We’ll explore three popular methods for dialogue-based public deliberation on public policy issues: Citizen Juries, the 21st-Century Town Hall, and Deliberative Polling.

WHEN THINGS GO SIDEWAYS (Kim Hyshka)

Sometimes, the best-laid plans go right off the rails – during the actual event. How do you handle unexpected outbursts of anger and other emotions, maintain control of the situation and keep things moving forward? This session includes exercises, discussion and multi-media presentation to help uncover what drives emotion and outrage so you can create an environment for constructive engagement.

In order to approximate the experience of in-person sessions,Virtual Skills Symposium classes will be live and interactive including small group breakouts.

So don’t delay! Register today!

See you online!

This is your opportunity to submit an abstract for the 2019 IAP2 Australasia Conference.

Abstract submissions for the 2019 IAP2 Australasia conference being held at the Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, Australia from 29 - 31 October are now open!

This conference has a reputation as the preeminent Community and Stakeholder Engagement event in Australia for engagement and communications professionals. This year the theme of the conference will be Engagement Unlocked and will explore themes of building trust and creating connected communities.

Don't miss this opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with delegates working across a diversity of industries and sectors in Australia, New Zealand and ASEAN countries.

Presentation abstract submission is open to all - professionals and academics working in community and stakeholder engagement, community members who have participated in engagement and those exploring engagement as part of our rapidly changing design, planning, service delivery and policy making environments.

Both new and emerging, and experienced engagement professionals are welcome to submit an abstract. We want to foster an environment of learning, challenge, disruption and creativity. Please help us to "unlock engagement" by shaking us up, down and sideways to help us stay on top of our game!

Download the submission guidelines here.

All submissions to be made via IAP2A's SM Apply submission page. You will first need to register an account with SM Apply. Click the button below to get started.

To find out more about how to make an application through SM Apply, check out the SM Apply FAQs.

Submissions close Friday 24 May 2019.

Please contact Josie Gruber, Marketing Manager on josie@iap2.org.au if you have any questions regarding your submission.

Registrations are now open for the 2019 International Forum on Public Participation and Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), being held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand from the 29 April - 1 May, 2019. To register, or for more information, visit the forum website: http://intl-forum.iap2.or.id.

The SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

You can find the complete list of Sustainable Development Goals here.

This forum aims to support the delivery of purposeful, inclusive, pro-active and transformative engagement processes that enhance the responsiveness of governance systems and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

It will:

• Bring the research, practitioner & government/policy communities together to increase the understanding of the state, dynamics and impacts of public participation and stakeholder engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Share knowledge on the lessons learned from public participation and stakeholder engagement.
• Discuss the implications for government institutions and public policy.

The event will also share the insights of the UNESCAP and IAP2 partnership. It will be followed up by a partnership dialogue to explore means of expanding partnership and support for governments, based on discussion in the workshop.

Register your interest in the below today:

• Call for Posters. Draft Poster Submission open until 5 April, 2019.
  Submit here: https://intl-forum.iap2.or.id/call-for-posters
• Forum Discussion and Partnership Dialogue. Registration open until 10 April, 2019.
  Register here: https://intl-forum.iap2.or.id/register
• Half day training, register here: https://intl-forum.iap2.or.id/register

 
For more information on the program or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact intl-gathering@iap2.or.id or visit the forum website: http://intl-forum.iap2.or.id.

Advancing Policy & Practice: Public Participation & Stakeholder Engagement in Asia and the Pacific

Join us!

The delivery of purposeful, inclusive, pro-active and transformative engagement processes enhance the responsiveness of governance systems and support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This International Forum will:

1. Bring the research, practitioner & government/policy communities together to increase the understanding of the state, dynamics and impacts of public participation and stakeholder engagement in the Asia-Pacific region
    
2. Share knowledge on the lessons learned from public participation and stakeholder engagement
    
3. Discuss the implications for government institutions and public policy 

The event will also share the insights of the UNESCAP and IAP2 partnership. It will be followed up by a partnership dialogue to explore means of expanding partnership and support for governments, based on discussion in the workshop.

Registration will be open until April 10, 2019.
 

	Learn More & Register

International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) is an international leader in public participation which has developed the Core Values for Public Participation for use in the development and implementation of public participation processes. IAP2 offer professional development, training, networking events, a world-class conference, leadership forum and the annual Core Values Awards which acknowledge the leading engagement projects around the world. Currently we have more than 5,000 members from 6 affiliates: Canada, USA, Australasia, Italy, South Africa and Indonesia.