Throughout history, the greatest advances in society have come from the intersection of creativity and collaboration. The same holds true for governance and social progress. We’re living in an age where individuals are empowered like never before, yet participation in shaping the broader world often feels distant, especially when it comes to public policy.
The question is: does public consultation really encourage social participation, or is it considered by promoters as merely a box to tick in the democratic process? To answer that, we need to examine what true participation looks like and whether public consultation is designed in a way that taps into the collective genius of the people.
Consultation vs. Engagement. First, let’s talk about the difference between consultation and engagement. It’s easy for governments, public sector bodies and institutions to conduct public consultations and call it participation. They gather comments, host town hall meetings, or launch online surveys. It’s a process, sure. But the real issue is whether this process inspires genuine social engagement or if it merely pacifies people by giving them a moment to vent.
True engagement is deeper. It involves not just listening but co-creating. When you truly engage people, you don’t just ask for their feedback on a pre-baked solution, you involve them in the problem-solving process from the beginning.
This is a philosophy that needs to be embraced. Don’t conduct focus groups to ask what features people want. You need to look deeper, engage stakeholders that focus on their priorities, desires and frustrations. Seek to understand what they really want before they know it themselves. And that’s what public consultation should aim for: a deeper understanding and genuine interaction.
The technology of participation. Here’s another thing public consultation exercises need to address: developers proposing change often use outdated tools for public participation. Think about it, in an era where we have the world’s information at our fingertips, public consultations often rely on archaic methods. Why are we not leveraging more modern digital platforms that have transformed industries to transform the way society interacts with policy?
When Apple introduced the App Store, it didn’t just launch a marketplace, it unlocked an ecosystem where millions of developers could innovate and thrive. Today’s developers can take inspiration from that model. Picture digital platforms powered by AI and real-time data, where communities, citizens, and policymakers collaborate seamlessly. Envision participatory tools and intelligent algorithms that surface the most innovative, equitable, and impactful ideas from across society, turning civic engagement into a dynamic, ongoing conversation that aligns with statutory milestones rather than being limited to a once-a-year event.
By embedding dialogue at every formal checkpoint, developers can ensure that community voices inform each critical decision, creating a continuous feedback loop that evolves alongside policy development. Then we can create systems that make it easier for everyone to participate in meaningful ways, not just those who are already in positions of privilege or power.
Barriers to true participation. The truth is, for public consultation to really encourage social participation, we need to break down barriers that discourage people from getting involved in the first place.
- Complexity: Most people are intimidated by public policy because it’s convoluted and inaccessible. The language of governance needs to be simplified. Think of the intuitive simplicity of Apple’s user interfaces, complex technology made simple for the masses. The same should apply to public consultations.
- Trust: Many people feel that their voices don’t matter. They participate in consultations, but they don’t see the impact of their contributions. Organisations and their projects need to close the feedback loop. People need to feel that their input was heard, understood, and reflected in decisions. The most engaging experiences are the ones where people see their influence or reasons why their feedback hasn’t influenced proposals, this applies to design and public policy alike.
- Incentives: What motivates people to participate? Too often, consultations can often come across as dry and detached from people’s real lives. What if we flipped the script and made the act of participating in society something that people want to do because they see real value in it? There are reasons why people line up for hours to buy the latest iPhone, they see it as a tool that empowers them, connects them, and enhances their lives. What if participation in public life could feel the same way?
A better vision for the future. Ultimately, public consultation should be about more than just collecting opinions. It should be about fostering a society where everyone feels empowered to participate in shaping the future. We need systems that encourage people not just to speak but to act, to collaborate, and to innovate.
Imagine a world where public consultations are not just an afterthought in the application or policy process but a core driver of it. Where citizens feel they are co-creators of their communities, and where technology is used not to divide us, but to unite us in pursuit of better solutions. That’s the world I would want to live in and one I believe we can continue to develop and build.
Rapport North 