Documents MSP United Nations

• Multi-Stakeholder Processes for Governance and Sustainability - Beyond Deadlock and Conflict. (By Minu Hemmati with contributions from Felix Dodds, Jasmin Enayati & Jan McHarry London, Earthscan 2002, United Nations Environment and Development). Gives theories practical guidelines and examples of multiple-stakeholder processes. This book can be ordered (and all chapters are available for free downloading) on the website: www.earthsummit2002.org/msp/book.htm

1. Contents ( pdf)
2. The Short-cut, principles of stakeholder participation and partnership ( pdf) This chapter describes the key principles and strategies of multistakeholder processes and provides a checklist to develop these processes.

• The Practice: Examples of Multi-stakeholder Processes (2002, Minu Hemmati, United Nations Environment and Development - UK Committee (UNED-UK Committee) ( pdf). Related to an increased interest in public participation and to the implementation of Agenda 21, numerous examples of multi-stakeholder processes have been conducted over the last few decades. Not surprisingly, since the 1990s there has been a significant increase of such processes within the area of environment and sustainable development. We have looked at a number of examples of various issues, objectives, diversity of participants, scope and time lines.

What are multi-stakeholder processes?

The term multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) describes processes which aim to bring together all major stakeholders in a new form of communication, decision-finding (and possibly decision-making) on a particular issue. They are also based on recognition of the importance of achieving equity and accountability in communication between stakeholders, involving equitable representation of three or more stakeholder groups and their views. They are based on democratic principles of transparency and participation, and aim to develop partnerships and strengthened networks between stakeholders. MSPs cover a wide spectrum of structures and levels of engagement. They can comprise dialogues on policy or grow into consensus-building, decision-making and implementation of practical solutions. The exact nature of any such process will depend on the issues, its objectives, participants, scope, time lines, etc.