In the course of rapid social change, informal participation procedures are being used to supplement conventional forms of participation.

Authorities, companies, associations and other organisations initiate these procedures in order to discuss a specific topic with those affected, interest groups or the population and to allow the results to flow into decision-making processes. The spectrum of such procedures ranges from so-called consensus conferences to planning cells and round tables to co-operative discourses.

The use of these procedures enables participatory learning, an exchange of knowledge and experience. They can thereby increase individual and societal skills and competencies to deal with controversial or new developments. The procedures also make it possible to evaluate social developments by experts or citizens and in this way identify the need for political action. Furthermore, they have the potential to unblock deadlocked conflicts and to enable alternative solutions. All this has been demonstrated by the practice of such procedures on environmental, health, social and economic issues in Switzerland and Europe in recent decades.

The many opportunities offered by informal participation procedures are offset by certain risks. These lie above all in the application of the procedures. If, for example, the procedure and the goals pursued do not match, or if there is excessive pressure of expectations, a counterproductive effect can occur. The commitment of individual citizens or interest groups can be reduced and existing conflicts can intensify.

However, if informal procedures are carefully adapted to the desired goals, the topic, the conflictual nature of the debate and the target group have the power to shape the debate. This is especially true for the issue of health, which affects citizens both individually and collectively. Informal procedures can contribute to health literacy, optimise health promotion and prevention, and lead to a more competent social approach to complex developments, such as in brain research.