Develop insights into people and communities to create public participation and engagement processes that center diverse voices and perspectives.
Please note: Because this course builds on the core principles and frameworks introduced in Fundamentals of Public Participation and Engagement, completion of that course is required.
Price: $325
IAP2 Members: $275 (contact us for the member discount code)
Course Dates:
- April 15-16, 2026
Class Hours
All classes meet online from 12:00-2:00 pm ET and 3:00-5:00 pm ET, with a 1-hour break between sessions each day.
By the end of Understanding People and Communities, you will have the awareness and skills to develop a holistic and deep understanding of the people and communities involved in public participation processes.
Discover and apply deep understanding and insights into the people and communities involved in public participation processes, to make the processes more meaningful and effective. This Level 1 course provides an introduction to working with diversity, equity and inclusion in P2/engagement.
Course objectives
- Identify and apply an approach for understanding people and communities for P2/engagement processes
- Reflect on factors of cultural competence and cultural humility, and assess your practice and approach against the factors to identify areas of strength and growth
- Apply a variety of analysis and mapping tools to understand diversity and map values
- Identify ways to increase access and centre equity by reducing barriers to participation
- Reflect on how to build rapport, trust and relationships with people and communities, and apply and assess approaches in a P2/engagement scenario
- Assess and apply knowledge to planning and implementation of meaningful and effective P2/engagement across the Practice Framework