A very helpful article in the same vein as “The Real Thing”, discussing common mistakes local governments make during citizen engagement and recommendations for improvements both in terms of the process and the mindset local government leaders must have while developing one. Getting away from “document-based consultation”, engaging specific residents on specific issues rather than “the community” and streamlining data for public consumption are some of the major issues addressed in this piece. Although written for a largely Australian audience in Local Government Manager, the magazine of Local Government Managers Australia, the vast majority of the advice given is general enough to apply to any local government around the world.

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