I would like to see a partnership between local authorities and school to address the issue of food waste.  I would instigate this be addressing it from the Local Authorities perspective - cost.  Using this to open up dialogue I would attempt to collaborate with a local representative.  By school collaborating together for this discussion, a wide range of experiences can be discussed under the remit of food waste.

I suggest that there should be more discussion and consultation at local level, such as committees or panels that can then inform at local authority/national level. As different issues affect different communities, this would be the only realistic wat to ensure everyone had a platform on which to voice opinion/concerns. Communication at every level is key to this.

To instigate a collaborative, dialogue-based approach to resolving the wicked problem of marine plastic pollution, I would implement a structured, multi-phase strategy focused on inclusive engagement, shared understanding, and co-creation of solutions.

Phase 1: Foundation and Engagement

Identify and Map Stakeholders:

Action: Conduct a comprehensive stakeholder mapping exercise to identify all relevant actors, including government bodies (environmental agencies, waste management, maritime authorities), industry (plastic producers, packaging companies, retailers, fishing industry, recycling firms), NGOs (environmental advocacy, conservation, community groups), scientific and academic institutions, local communities (coastal residents, indigenous groups), and consumers.

Rationale: Understanding the diverse perspectives, interests, power dynamics, and potential contributions of each stakeholder is crucial for effective engagement and ensuring no critical voice is missed.

Establish a "Wicked Problems Plaza" (WPP) Steering Committee:

Action: Form a neutral, representative steering committee comprising respected individuals from different stakeholder groups, potentially including an independent facilitator or mediator. This committee would guide the overall process.

Rationale: A neutral steering committee helps build initial trust and ensures the process is perceived as fair and inclusive from the outset, preventing any single group from dominating the agenda.

Initial Outreach and Invitation:

Action: Send formal invitations to key stakeholders for an inaugural "Marine Plastic Pollution Dialogue Summit." The invitation would clearly articulate the wicked nature of the problem, the need for collaborative action, and the intention to co-create solutions.

Rationale: Framing the issue as a "wicked problem" immediately sets the expectation that no single entity has the answer and that collective intelligence is required.

Phase 2: Dialogue and Shared Understanding

Inaugural Dialogue Summit:

Action: Host a multi-day summit designed to foster deep dialogue, not just presentations. This would involve:

Problem Framing Workshops: Facilitated sessions where stakeholders articulate their understanding of the problem, its causes, and impacts from their unique perspectives. This helps uncover divergent views and identify common ground.

Data Sharing and Scientific Briefings: Presentations by scientists and researchers on the latest data regarding marine plastic pollution, its sources, pathways, and ecological/socio-economic impacts. This establishes a common factual basis.

"Storytelling Circles": Sessions where individuals from affected communities (e.g., fishers, coastal residents) share personal experiences and impacts of plastic pollution.

Rationale: This phase is critical for building a shared understanding of the problem's complexity, acknowledging diverse perspectives, and fostering empathy among stakeholders. It moves beyond superficial discussions to address underlying assumptions and values.

Develop a Shared Vision and Common Purpose:

Action: Through facilitated workshops, guide participants to collectively define a shared vision for a future free from marine plastic pollution and articulate a common purpose for their collaborative efforts. This purpose should transcend individual organizational mandates.

Rationale: A clear, jointly developed vision and purpose provide a unifying goal and motivate sustained engagement, ensuring all efforts are aligned towards a common objective.

Phase 3: Co-creation and Action Planning

Working Groups Formation:

Action: Based on the shared vision and identified problem areas, form thematic working groups (e.g., "Waste Management & Circular Economy," "Behavior Change & Education," "Technological Innovation & Research," "Policy & Regulation," "Ocean Cleanup & Restoration"). Each group would have cross-sectoral representation.

Rationale: Breaking down the wicked problem into manageable, interconnected sub-problems allows for focused discussion and expertise application, while maintaining a holistic view through cross-representation.

Collaborative Solution Design Workshops:

Action: Each working group would conduct intensive, facilitated workshops to co-create specific strategies, initiatives, and pilot projects. This would involve:

Integrative Ideation: Brainstorming and combining diverse ideas from different sectors to develop innovative solutions that leverage varied expertise and resources.

Resource Mapping: Identifying existing resources (financial, technical, human) that can be pooled or leveraged across partners.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Jointly identifying potential barriers and developing strategies to overcome them.

Rationale: This phase emphasizes "co-creation," where solutions are not dictated but emerge from the collective intelligence of the group, leading to greater ownership and commitment.

Develop a Collaborative Action Plan:

Action: Consolidate the outputs from the working groups into a comprehensive, living action plan. This plan would outline specific goals, measurable objectives, timelines, assigned responsibilities, required resources, and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Rationale: A concrete action plan translates dialogue into tangible steps, providing a roadmap for implementation and accountability.

Phase 4: Implementation, Learning, and Adaptation

Pilot Projects and "Quick Wins":

Action: Prioritize and launch a few small-scale, achievable pilot projects that can demonstrate early success.

Rationale: "Quick wins" build momentum, reinforce trust, and provide tangible evidence of the collaboration's effectiveness, encouraging continued participation.

Continuous Dialogue and Feedback Loops:

Action: Establish regular communication channels (e.g., quarterly plenary meetings, online forums, dedicated communication platforms) for ongoing dialogue, progress updates, sharing lessons learned, and addressing emerging challenges.

Rationale: Wicked problems require continuous adaptation. Regular dialogue ensures that strategies can be adjusted based on real-world outcomes and new information, fostering an adaptive management approach.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework:

Action: Implement a robust MEL framework to track progress against KPIs, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and capture lessons learned. This framework should be co-developed and transparent.

Rationale: A shared MEL framework ensures accountability and provides the data necessary for informed decision-making and continuous improvement, which is vital for addressing problems with no definitive stopping rule.

Institutionalize Trust and Relationships:

Action: Continue to invest in "thick communication" – informal gatherings, joint field visits, and social events – to strengthen interpersonal relationships and foster a culture of mutual respect and trust among collaborators.

Rationale: Strong relationships are the bedrock of sustained collaboration, enabling partners to navigate disagreements and maintain commitment during challenging times.

By following these steps, the aim is to move beyond mere coordination to a true collaborative advantage, where the collective effort produces outcomes significantly greater than what any individual entity could achieve, ultimately making meaningful progress against the wicked problem of marine plastic pollution.