Annex 2: Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council Strategic Plan 2005-2008

Vision

Increasing numbers of people from diverse backgrounds are aware of cultural, ethical and spiritual issues associated with biotechnology, seek reliable and balanced information, and actively participate in the Council’s processes as a means of having input into decision-making about biotechnology.

The Treaty of Waitangi relationship between the Crown and Maori is clearly expressed in the work of the Council, and the Council contributes to deepening understanding of Te Ao Maori among New Zealanders.

Government, public bodies and the biotechnology sector respect and accept cultural, spiritual and ethical values as integral to their decision making processes.

The Bioethics Council is widely respected and trusted, both in New Zealand and internationally, as a facilitator of quality dialogue processes, source of trustworthy information, and provider of influential recommendations and advice on cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnologies.

Mission

To enhance New Zealanders’ understanding of the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology, and to ensure that the use of biotechnology has regard for the values of New Zealanders, by:

• providing balanced and accessible information on the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology
• facilitating public dialogue on cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology, and facilitating public participation in the Council’s work
• providing independent recommendations and advice to government and other decision-making bodies on cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology.

Values

We value and are committed to:

• the independence of the Council
• the Treaty of Waitangi
• ethical behaviour
• being a trustworthy organisation
• participatory democracy
• processes which are accessible and inclusive
• dialogue as a way of working
• the expression of diverse views and ways of knowing, indigenous knowledge
• providing well-reasoned and useful judgements
• cross-cultural and cross-stakeholder respect.

Strategic goals

1. The Council is aware of biotechnologies which might have an impact in New Zealand, and is conversant with the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of these biotechnologies.

Strategies

• The Council regularly engages in ‘blue skies’ discussion on a range of biotechnology issues.
• There are established processes for future watch.
• The Council prioritises biotech/CES issues for attention in a timely manner, and according to agreed criteria.

2. The Council is a trusted provider of accessible information on the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnologies of interest to a range of New Zealanders.

Strategies

• Council documents on biotech/CES issues include sound science communicated in a balanced and accessible manner.
• Maori perspectives and Maori knowledge are an integral part of Council publications and resource material for the Council.
• A variety of methods are used to communicate and disseminate information about the Council and biotech/CES issues to government, politicians and the community.
• The Council involves young people in biotech/CES issues.
• There is an appropriate response by the Council to selected biotech/CES issues in the media.

3. A wide range of New Zealanders participate in the dialogue and other processes facilitated by the Council.

Strategies

• Council has knowledge of a range of dialogue processes, and trials and evaluates all processes.
• The Council regularly conducts community engagement processes on specific issues.
• The Council actively seeks opportunities to facilitate dialogue between different groups, and with the Council itself.

4. There is growing confidence among Maori in the Council and its processes.

Strategies

• The Council continually works on improving its process of engagement with Maori.
• The transmission of Maori views on biotech/CES issues to government and to the community is an integral and effective part of the Council’s work.
• The Council uses a variety of methods to ensure Maori views on biotech/CES issues have influence with government.
• The Council fosters understanding of the Treaty relationship in its work and processes.

5. Recommendations and advice provided by the Council informs policy development, decision-making and biotechnology developments.

Strategies

• Advice provided by the Bioethics Council takes account of the values of New Zealanders, the social context of biotechnology and the range of views in the community.
• Council’s recommendations and advice are useful to the Government and other bodies.
• The Council actively promotes its work and its recommendations.
• Council seeks and takes opportunities to influence Government decision-making.

6. The Council has good working relationships with a range of groups.

Strategies

• The Council actively seeks to form relationships with other New Zealand and international groups with interests in Council’s areas of responsibility.
• The basis for forming a relationship with a particular body is understood by both parties.
• The Council actively engages with Ministers and other politicians, and decision-makers and advisers in government departments and regulatory bodies.
• Council develops and maintains relationships with groups in the community.

7. The Council is a learning organisation, with effective and accountable systems of governance and management.

Strategies

• Organisational policies guide the governance and management of the Council.
• Working groups are established and supported to deal with specific areas or projects.
• The secretariat is staffed to meet the Council’s needs.
• Performance appraisal systems are in place for the secretariat.
• The Council has appropriate administrative and financial processes to support its work.
• The Council regularly evaluates its performance.

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