Public Participation
The Aarhus Convention and its Protocol on PRTRs empower people with the rights to access information, participate in decision-making in environmental matters and to seek justice. They are the only legally binding global instruments on environmental democracy.
>> https://unece.org/environmental-policy-1/public-participation
#AI#AIPolicy#PolicyMaking#PublicParticipation: "New uses of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are rapidly making their way into our everyday lives – from deciding whether we are approved for a loan or hired for a job, to making healthcare diagnoses. It’s becoming increasingly clear that AI is not just about technology; it’s also about people. Yet people are often absent from decisions about how these technologies are used, and conversations around their potential benefits and harms.
Including the perspectives, experiences and visions of those affected by AI technologies is vital to ensure their uses and regulation are aligned with societal values, rights and needs. And it is an important part of ensuring that AI technologies are used in ways that are just, legitimate, trustworthy and accountable. It will also help create a more equitable society, as frequently it’s marginalised people who are most impacted by data and AI.
As national and regional governments, and supranational organisations (like the EU) try to establish adequate regulatory frameworks for the use of AI and data technologies, it is important to understand how those in power across policymaking and industry can engage the public effectively and meaningfully.
This post is the first in a series of blog posts that explores existing evidence on and experiences of public participation in policymaking in diverse contexts across different geographical regions. We hope this wide range of perspectives, voices and lessons learned can inform how to engage the public in present policy efforts to regulate AI."
"Meaningful public participation – involves restoring trust in the system. This requires transparency, proper consultation, and the public’s right to challenge decisions in the courts".
"Meaningful consultation requires time, expertise, and properly funded expert bodies that can build a culture of continuous improvement. Again, Australia’s record to date has been piecemeal and poor."
"To get agreement, we need a better way than the standard project-based approval processes and private negotiations between developers and landowners. The underlying principle must be that all citizens, not just directly affected groups, bear the burden of advancing the common good."