A new advisory body which will help shape and steer some of the work of the OPR has held its first meeting.
The National Planning Knowledge Group will act as an advisory board to the OPR in meeting its statutory mandate in relation to education, research and training.
The Group includes experts from third level institutes, planning authorities, planning representative associations and relevant state bodies.
The OPR’s statutory mandate requires an effective balance in relation to pursuing research, training and education activities which meet current needs and are also cognisant of future knowledge requirements.
The OPR’s Strategy Statement highlighted four initial areas of focus:
- Delivering a strategic planning research programme
- Facilitating links between agencies with education, training or research needs with bodies which may be able to perform it
- Disseminating information about the benefits and achievements of planning to a wider audience.
- Developing an accessible on-line planning knowledge and training resource point