IAIA02 - Assessing the Impact of Impact Assessment
Impact Assessment for Informed Decision Making
The theme of the conference was to reflect on the role of impact assessment in the process of decision making and managing a business. He or she who sees an IA as a "societal permit" will be in for a disillusion. Such a permit will only be accessible via positive direct stakeholder engagement. A sound IA process asks for a constant feedback of relevant environmental, societal and economic findings from researchers to the project managers to avoid "work in isolation" for both groups. Plus, more attention to the socio-economic effects of new projects: sustainable development is after all the balance and combined result of economic development, societal responsibility and environmental care.