Search

Last year, Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures and Watercare partnered on a novel approach to involve Aucklanders in a decision-making process that could become a model throughout the country. The organisations set up a citizens’ assembly to learn first-hand from Auckland residents about their preferences for meeting the city’s future water needs. The process and lessons learnt, and how deliberative democracy was localised for an Aotearoa New Zealand context, are covered in a new Koi Tū case study report, Citizens’ assembly on the next source of water for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

This briefing paper formed the basis of discussions at the 'Science Advice to Governments' summit, which took place in Auckland, New Zealand from 28-29 August 2014, and was attended by science advisors and policymakers from 48 countries.

Communicating trusted and actionable knowledge is more important than ever. It helps us address global challenges such as climate change, migration and public health within a context of complexity, uncertainties and rapid changes. At the same time there are signs of a growing public distrust in experts and government institutions, sometimes exacerbated by lack of clarity, openness and transparency. The need for greater mutual understanding between science and policy – as well as the wider public – is a key challenge for present-day democracies. This paper explores how stakeholders can together across boundaries and create safe interfaces between science, policy and society while securing social acceptability of evidence-informed policy-making. Communicating trusted and actionable knowledge is more important than ever. It helps us address global challenges such as climate change, migration and public health within a context of complexity, uncertainties and rapid changes. At the same time there are signs of a growing public distrust in experts and government institutions, sometimes exacerbated by lack of clarity, openness and transparency. The need for greater mutual understanding between science and policy – as well as the wider public – is a key challenge for present-day democracies. This paper explores how stakeholders can together across boundaries and create safe interfaces between science, policy and society while securing social acceptability of evidence-informed policy-making.