Influencing environmental decisions of authorities, and responding to that

Influencing environmental decisions of authorities, and responding to that is a course about effective open methods for those who want to influence environmental decisions made by public authorities, and for public authorities who want to respond to this influence. This course is organised by Eracedu. The methods to influence are based on open assessment.

Question (scope)

What should be taught to authorities, environmental activists, and private companies so that they can effectively promote their views and opinions about an environmental decisions at hand in such a way that it is backed up by scientific understanding of the issue and solid arguments? How can they defend their opinions against attacks by other interested parties and stakeholders?

The course is a two-day basic course of methods and practices of open assessment. There is a two-three week period between the days to enable It contains lectures and computer exercises. It is possible to participate online.

Result (hypotheses)

Each slot lasts for one hour (including possible breaks). A full day lasts from 8.30 to 16.30 with seven slots and a one-hour lunch break. The course contains two days, but it is possible (although not advisable) to participate only to day 1. It is also possible to participate online.

Day 1

• Lecture 1: Brief introduction to Opasnet and its role in environmental conflicts. Introduction to a case study mentioned in the course call. Description of the use purpose of the case study.
• Lecture 2: Introduction to information objects and their structure. Introduction to result range and subjective probability. Introduction to pragma-dialectics.
• Lecture 3: Introduction to the use of Opasnet. Editing contents. Avoiding edit conflicts. Participating in discussions. The most important buttons and templates.
• Exercise 4: Division of tasks based on personal interests. Working on the case study in pairs based on the own tasks.
• Exercise 5: Discussion about the case study work and problems related to it. Work continues singly (or in pairs).
• Exercise 6: Work on the case study continues.
• Discussion 7: Discussion on the work done, and the planned work in the future. Division of tasks for the intermediate period. Feedback about the method and needs of improvement. Needs of support.

Day 2 (two or three weeks later)

• Lecture 8: Summary of the work done during day 1 and the intermediate period. Work to be done. Review of the use purpose of the case, and the current performance to that aim. Discussion.
• Lecture 9: Methodological issues and solutions to practical problems. This is based on user feedback during the day 1 and the intermediate period.
• Exercise 10: Division of tasks. Working on those tasks singly (or in pairs).
• Exercise 11:
• Discussion 12:
• Exercise 13:
• Discussion 14: Wrap-up of the case. Current conclusions of the case. What to do with the conclusions? How to bring the case study further? Discussion on the open assessment method and Opasnet: developmental needs and support needs.