The Importance Of Community Engagement

Much of the academic literature expresses the importance of community engagement and the risks that come from poor engagement, agreeing with the presentation given by Mary-Frances Lynch. Community engagement aims to have direct involvement of locals in the project through community engagement and cooperation to achieve cohesion, respect and trusting relationships (Walker, et al., 2010). Active community engagement in the planning and approval process of a development is important as it leads to local acceptance and can contribute to more regional acceptance of the industry in question (Gormally, et al., 2012; Jami & Walsh, 2017). Community engagement and education especially in energy projects such as wind and oil and gas promote a better public

Kelly et al. (2017) emphasize the importance of having facilitation skills, understanding participatory research principles, and having experience in community engagement. Willingness to acknowledge the weaknesses of the project, learn from them, and implement community suggestions can help build stronger relationships and promote co-learning (Israel, Eng, & Shulz, 2012; Shippee et al., 2013; Kelly et al., 2017). Many academics discuss the importance of CLC as a communication platform for gaining input from community stakeholders (Jami & Walsh, 2017; Kelly et al., 2017). Jami & Walsh (2017) emphasize the need for CLCs to be formed early, and to incorporate a variety of individuals including developers, the municipality, the local community, and

In terms of community engagement in offshore oil and gas projects, good long-term relationships throughout the lifecycle of a project are important (Abdullah et al., 2017). Support of the community is essential and strengthens the companies’ local license to operate (Abdullah et al., 2017). “Poor community relations can lead to delays and disruptions to operations, for instance as a result of strikes, protests, hindrance of facility access, and lobbying local authorities against granting permits that the company needs in order to operate” (Abdullah et al., 2017, pp.1). Due to the contentious nature of most oil and gas projects, building the trust of the community and acknowledging concerns and expectations is critical (Morrison, 2014; IPIECA, 2012; Wilson, 2015). Success of a project often depends on responding to community needs and anxieties, and understanding community culture and values, key players in the community, and political factors (Wilson, 2015; Abdullah et al., 2017). This ensures that strong community relationships are developed and allows good oil and gas projects to be developed with the support of the community backing them (Abdullah et al.,