Building public engagement in small island nations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research of parliaments regularly focuses on larger, well-known parliaments. Practices of parliaments of small jurisdictions are often overlooked. This paper investigates public engagement by parliaments in small island states and seeks to answer: how effective public engagement is built by parliaments? What are the opportunities for meaningful engagement? Can public engagement be possible despite serious resource challenges and other barriers? For effective public engagement to happen, parliamentary administrations in these locations need to consider a number of issues and overcome some barriers. Therefore, the paper analyses common contextual themes, like institutional barriers and sociological issues. The paper presents successful approaches applied by parliaments, as well as tools and practices that can be effective in leading to tangible results. The authors argue that effective public engagement by parliaments in small island states is in fact possible and concludes by providing some significant lessons for legislators, parliamentary staff, and civil society.