The Global Forum on
Food Security and Nutrition
Involving regional stakeholders in the
consultative process
www.fao.org/fsnforum
17 December 2014
Max F. Blanck
FSN Forum Policy Networks Officer, FAO
What is stakeholder dialogue/involvement?
“An integral part of a stepwise process of decision making.
At different phases, involvement may take the form of sharing information,
consulting, dialoguing, or deliberating on decisions.
It should be seen always as a meaningful part of formulating and
implementing good policy.
Stakeholder involvement techniques should not be viewed as convenient
tools for ‘public relations’, image-building or winning acceptance for a
decision taken behind closed doors.”
Definition by the NEA/OECD Forum on stakeholder
confidence
Who are stakeholders?
 Civil society organizations  Governments
 Think tanks
 Technical cooperation
 Donors
 The general population
 International agencies
 Media
 Legislators
 Private sector
 Financial institutions
 Your organization…
… and many more
Lessons learned for good engagement

Recognize that stakeholder definitions vary from country to country and from context to context

Be flexible and take account of local and national cultural norms

Appreciate that many people have no experience of involvement in decision-making (both ways)

Demonstrate accountability (who is responsible for what?)

Be clear about the purpose and indicate clearly where influence is possible

Identify and understand stakeholder concerns from the beginning

Build trust

Allow the strategy to evolve with time and experience

Allow sufficient time (it always takes longer than expected!)

Consider multilanguage coverage carefully (cost/benefit)
Thank you
For further information contact us at:
fsn-moderator@fao.org
and visit the website:
www.fao.org/fsnforum