Participation is not a simple process
Jeanette Lawrence
The University of Melbourne
Contact Email:   lawrenceunimelb.edu.au

Participation in decisions is a desired achievement for individuals and communities. It is a means to equity and equality. Procedurally, it is a mark of having a voice and respect. Nevertheless, the participation of vulnerable persons and groups is difficult to achieve, as revealed in two different areas. The first involved studies where young people were asked what adults and children could do to make procedures fair in scenarios where an adult confronts a child who has stolen. Responses of over 1500 young people revealed an overwhelming tendency to rely on the adult’s consistency, neutrality and explanations rather than on the child’s voice and ability to appeal or be represented. Procedures for child participation were less important than relying on adult benevolence. In the second area, participation in collaborative planning for research and service delivery for refugees met different barriers - the need to find a voice and a sense of belonging that could be expressed across cultures, languages and areas of knowledge. All participants experienced the frustration of not being heard. All had to find an appropriate voice. Working priorities needed articulation and negotiation. While social interaction relies on participation, the processes for making participation work demand situational analysis.

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