Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Guidance material for public servants

"Participation works best when people feel that they can make a difference, when they have the time to fully engage with the issues, and when there is a healthy relationship of mutual respect. It works worst when it is rushed, ill-informed and vague about the links to formal decision-making or when it allows the loudest voices to dominate." Geoff Mulgan, Involve Chair, United Kingdom

Presenter Kate Irvine at the Stakeholder Engagement seminar

In 2007, the sector called for a change to the culture of government, for improvements to the ways the government engages with the sector, and for changes to government funding and accountability arrangements.

In response, on 13 June 2011 Cabinet endorsed the Kia Tūtahi Standing Together Relationship Accord; an important symbol of commitment between government and communities to build strong relationships. View the Accord on the publications page.

At Parliament on 1 August 2011 the Prime Minister and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector hosted a signing ceremony and signed the Accord on behalf of Government. The Accord was also signed by community representatives and endorsed by the government chief executives present.

In practice, this will mean working alongside a wide range of stakeholders in the sector and within government to help determine priorities and the way forward. Real progress will only be made with involvement from the sector at national and grassroots levels, local and central government officials, and where appropriate, business and academia. We each have a role to play in our day to day interactions, policy development and decision-making.

The following resources may help public servants to embody good practice in their work:

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