Environmental justice: Bridging the gap between experts and laymen

Abstract

Sustainable Development deals with highly technological issues (e.g. genetic manipulation, brain science, environmental protection, etc.). The decision making process therefore tends to be very complex. The task for policymakers is extremely difficult due to the involvement of different stakeholders, such as experts, public organisations and unorganised citizens. The importance of lay knowledge in technological and complex policy domains is often underestimated. Opponents of citizen participation use arguments related to NIMBY (Not In My Backyard), lack of interest, and knowledge deficiencies. Nevertheless, obtaining public support for policy decisions in the domain of Sustainable Development is essential. In this chapter we will examine if and how integration of expert and lay knowledge is possible in complex policy issues and how we can reduce the gap between experts, policymakers and citizens. The main focus will be on the integration of expert and lay knowledge in design and policymaking processes. We first describe the (dis)advantages of citizen participation and then consider the conditions for successful citizen involvement in policymaking, distinguishing between participants in lay and in professional roles. We then focus on a model to determine whether public involvement is opportune in a specific situation: Thomas’ ‘Effective Decision Model of Public Involvement.’ We discuss some specific techniques and international initiatives for citizen participation in the domain of Sustainable Development. Finally, we focus on three best practices of citizen (lay), expert, and organisational participation in highly technological or complex issues. In Belgium the King Baudouin Foundation is specialised in dialogue with citizens and experts about Brain Science and Food Safety. In the Netherlands we examine the policy programme ‘Policy with Citizens’ of the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (2005). The third case is the Danish Board of Technology, specialised in active citizenship in technological issues.