Ethical Considerations for Engagement
Community engagement is often related to processes of social change or interventions. As a result, there are almost always ethical considerations for both communities and individuals within communities. The ‘community’ (however defined) has a stake in the knowledge or data that is produced through engagement processes because it affects their resources and environment. That relationship varies if they are rights holders or stakeholders. Therefore, a principled approach is crucial to reduce the potential for any harm (e.g., lost income, increased conflict) and to mitigate against systems of continued oppression.
Key ethical considerations we will discuss relate to:
- Integrity of the process of engagement.
- Transparency with regard to who is involved in consultation.
- Ownership of information or data collected as part of any engagement activity.
- Developing effective data collection and sharing strategies.