This document discusses the benefits of public participation in decision making including increased competence of decision makers, greater legitimacy and accountability, and proper conduct of democratic societies. It outlines three main arguments for public participation - substantive, normative, and instrumental. It also defines stakeholders, describes four types of publics, and lists common stakeholder groups and methods for their involvement. Finally, it discusses types of public participation and 11 key actions for managing public consultation.

3. Stakeholder “ a person with an interest or a concern about something ” -Oxford English Dictionary