National Priorities

The NEPC shall set National Priorities through an open and transparent process that considers input from the public as well as quantitative and organizational data. The NEPC shall set official National Priorities every two years, following the National Symposium. A Symposium Report and/or Policy Statement will serve as the official communication adopting National Priorities.

Process for Setting National Priorities

National Priorities should be set every two years via a transparent process that includes opportunity for public comment, currently established as the National Environment Symposium. Following the Symposium, and taking into account the SOE Report, Working Group and Subcommittee Reports, and other indicators and activities, the Secretariat shall propose National Priorities. Proposed National Priorities should be approved in a regular NEPC Meeting, or a Special Meeting may be called (for scheduling purposes). Once approved, National Priorities shall be documented via a Symposium Report or subsequent Policy Statement.

Process for Integrating National Priorities into Agency Work Plans (Joint Strategic Planning at Mini-Retreat)

National Priorities will be included as a specific Agenda item in the mini-retreat. After reviewing National Priorities, the NEPC then reviews progress in meeting or working towards National Priorities. Gaps and new needs are identified. The National Priorities are then assigned to individual (or multiple) agencies; and this documented in the NEPC Joint Strategic Plan. A simple table and checklist will suffice: