Held in Québec this May, the annual conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) focused on the theme “Misinformation, Disinformation, Communication & Impact Assessment”. The event provided a valuable global platform to discuss the major social performance challenges that influence the success of development and infrastructure projects.
A highlight of our participation was leading the session entitled “The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Local Opposition to Projects”.
Starting from a common situation encountered in the field—the tendency of some project developers to limit transparency for fear that information may be used against their projects—we unpacked the sociological mechanism first theorised by Robert K. Merton in 1948. By restricting access to information, project proponents can, paradoxically, fuel the rumours, concerns and ultimately the opposition they were seeking to avoid.
Drawing on both this theoretical framework and our practical experience across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, we explored how new digital tools are reshaping this dynamic and discussed ways to ensure these technologies become part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
The session brought together Pascal Rey, CEO of Insuco; Peter Hochet, Scientific Director of the IFSRA (Institute for Social Research in Africa) and Managing Director, Insuco Africa; Margot Petitpierre, Managing Director, Insuco Asia; Guillen Calvo, President of the ICSI (Insuco Center for Social Innovation) and Managing Director, Insuco LAC; and Ginette Borduas, Partner and ESG & Sustainability Director at Meridiam.
Our sincere thanks go to the IAIA, the organisers and all participants for the quality of the discussions and the richness of the exchanges.
Next stop: IAIA 2027 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
