The lessons that can be learned here are many. One is that public participation is valuable but that by itself it will not lead to more effective policymaking. For a participatory process to be meaningful, it must be a means to an end, the end being establishing a platform where different parties can share their views, concerns, and values and come to a common understanding on how to proceed with whatever process they are engaged in, even when views are different and conflicting. Participatory processes have the potential to trigger multiple gains for both governments and society, and NGOs can become important sources of knowledge, information, and mobilization rather than obstacles to governing and not forces that impose their own views.
A unique strategy, although a distinct challenge, for efficient decision-making processes that render results and hopefully more effective policy development, is the promotion of a culture of evaluation, not only among government and private-sector groups but also in NGOs. It is well known that public institutions, especially in the developing world, are reluctant to have their performance evaluated, especially by third parties. This also applies to the nongovernmental sector. While the public sector is accountable to the voters, and the private sector to the shareholders, NGOs in many cases are not accountable even to their constituency.