Dialogue Process

International best practice indicates that consultation should be carried out as early as possible in the project cycle so that views of affected groups can be taken into account.

Consultation is also important related to social and environmental analyzis. Therefore, consultation will also need to take place on several occasions during project implementation to identify and help address issues that arise.

For high impact projects, public consultation could take place at least three times with increasing levels of detail: Initially during project selection and prioritization (Stage 1), (ii) during the early stages of field work; and (iii) once when the draft feasibility study reports are available (Both (ii) and (iii) in Stage 2). The public consultation process and results needs to be described in the project feasibility study reports.

Public consultation should be distinguished from information provision and should be undertaken with the follow characteristics;

• An interchange of information, inputs requested from the public and concerns are addressed
• Responsive feedback and accountability by Government
• Options and risks are discussed openly
• Influence to the EIA process,
• Use of meetings, workshops, consultative groups, NGOs, private sector representatives

When it is planned to conduct Consultations with the pre-qualified bidders before embarking on the bidding stage, it may be advisable for the Project Steering Committee to distribute a copy of the Draft Contract to the pre-qualified bidders with a request for their comments. The Project Steering Committee (or the advisers) should consider these comments and, if warranted, adopt those which are seen to be reasonable.

Public consultation methods and practices are presented in Module 3 ->Economic Development and Public Interest ->Public Participation and Consultation.