The role of participatory TA in the policy-making process

1. The role of participatory TA in the policy-making process Results from the EUROPTA Project

2. Structure of the presentation • An inventory of political roles of PTA arrangements • Factors influencing the political performance of PTA arrangements • Recommendations

3. Indirect political roles • Promoting communication between science and the public • Stimulating public debate • Awareness building • Raising sensitivity for (participatory) TA

4. Direct political roles (I) • Agenda-setter • PTA arrangement catches the attention of decision-makers on a topic • Exploration of objectives • PTA arrangement give advice on hopes and fears present in society with a view to guide future decisions • Filter of policy alternatives • PTA arrangement offers advice on the alternative to choose

5. Direct political roles (II) • « Blockade runner » • PTA arrangements as a contribution to the management of a political conflict • Implementation and evalutation of policies • PTA arrangement tests whether the ideas of the public are in line with the politicians or the legislation

6. Factors influencing the political role of PTA: analytical framework • Societal context • technology innovation system, political system, technology controversy and public sphere • Institutional context • Institutional setting, structures and procedures, TA approach • Properties of the PTA arrangement • set-up and process / values, assumptions and goals / outcomes

7. « Success factors »:Societal context • Timing with political debate • different right moments • Timing with public controversy • especially for PTA arrangement involving laypeople • Political relevance of the topic • issues which «sell» in the political market place • Political culture open for (informal) participation • openess of the political system for deliberation and participation

8. « Success factors »:Institutional setting • Link to the political sphere • Institution must be somehow part of (or near) the polical processes (but not too close!) • Credibility of the institution • Competence and independance

9. « Success factors »:Properties of the arrangement (I) • Precise definition of the political goals • definition of what has to be achieved • similarity of goals between the involved actors • Fairness of the process • good management • quality control structures (steering groups)

10. « Success factors »:Properties of the arrangement (II) • Quality of the outcome (report, …) • Product of the arrangement aiming at practical implementation • Involvement of political actors in the process • in steering groups, as expert, ...

11. Conclusions • The « political success » of a PTA arrangement is the result of a particular combination of factors • Some factors must be necessarily met for every PTA: • Credibility of the institution • Quality of the process

12. Recommendations • TA Practitioners: • Carefully consider the actual political situation and adjust the aims of the PTA arrangement to it. • Addressees of PTA arrangements • The influence of PTA arrangements is of subtle nature • PTA arrangements are catalysts • PTA is always part of a political game in which power is at stake