Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Page 89

Practice Issues
rules and structures to guide the participation process, including engaging
diversity in culture, socio-economic background and experiences, are critical
to creating a meaningful experience.
Attention should also be given to managing power dynamics. This includes
the effective management of power differences which can help less powerful
participants trust the process and other stakeholders more. Conversely,
some powerful stakeholders might become more wary of the process if they
feel that their standing and power are being diminished.
Trusting relationships are necessary as means and ends of managing
diversity, conflict, and power dynamics successfully. Trust is both a lubricant
and a glue. It can help facilitate the work of participation and help hold the
efforts together. Designing good participation processes therefore requires
us to deal with how we will approach issues in terms of context, purpose,
participant involvement, leadership, process management and evaluation.

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