Challenges or barriers?

When undertaking stakeholder engagement, companies and practitioners may face a range of internal and external circumstances that need to be overcome or addressed to facilitate meaningful engagement.

The specific circumstances encountered will vary dependent upon the nature and context of the project or operation, the company involved, or the geo-political or socio-cultural context.

While these circumstances may sometimes serve as opportunities, they are often ‘challenges’ or ‘barriers’ as they impact the ability of a company (or practitioner) to undertake stakeholder engagement in a way that addresses the core principles required for to be considered meaningful.

LightbulbTip: In this context, ‘community self- determination’ relates to the right of people to freely determine their political status, and pursue their own economic, social and cultural development. The concept is increasingly finding traction within regulatory frameworks orientated towards the incorporation of a ‘human rights lens’ (e.g. environmental justice, FPIC, UN Guiding Principles).

Overview of the challenges or barriers to meaningful engagement