Participation

The involvement and collaboration of the private sector, NGOs, citizens' groups and other non-institutional organisations or individuals interested in or affected by the management of the coast. Structures to achieve participation may include core steering groups of key stakeholders, general forums that meet regularly, technical panels, newsletters and various topic or issue groups as required.
(from: King 1999)

Public

One or more physical or legal entities and, in accordance with national legislation or practice, their associations, organisations or groups.

Interested public

The public, which is affected or can be affected by a decision on environmental issues or which is concerned about the process; Non-governmental organisations participating in the environmental protection and working in compliance with national legislation are defined as interested (stakeholder) organisations. (from: UN EEC Convention on the information availability..., 1998)