Communication is Key to Informed Public Participation

In this opinion piece, published on the SciDev.net website, Jia Hepeng argues that effective science communication is crucial to informed and participatory policymaking, especially in rapidly developing countries like China. As a launching point from which to explain why the communication of relevant scientific information in an understandable way is so crucial - yet challenging - Hepeng reflects on an April 2008 symposium held in Beijing, China, by SciDev.Net and local partners. One delegate there suggested that China should experiment with public hearings on policymaking related to scientific issues, citing research findings indicating that there is a growing public desire to participate in, if not control, policies that impact on people's lives.

However, as discussions at the symposium made clear, public hearings on science-related policies are only effective if decision-makers proceed right from the start with a willingness to base suggestions and conclusions on scientific evidence - interpreted in a comprehensible, straightforward, jargon-free way. In addition, Hepeng stresses that a wide selection from the public should be represented at such hearings, and that delegates should be allowed time to express their reasonable concerns.

In short, though it is challenging for many reasons, "[t]he simple communication of key scientific information to the public needs to be improved if sustainable development is to be a realistic goal."