importance of civil society engagement in environmental decision-making calabash governance project...
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Importance of Civil Society Engagement in Importance of Civil Society Engagement in Environmental Decision-MakingEnvironmental Decision-MakingCalabash Governance ProjectCalabash Governance Project - - Peter Croal, Peter Croal, Environment Division, Policy Branch, CIDAEnvironment Division, Policy Branch, CIDA
Joint CID Graduate Student Lunch Seminar and Research on Sustainable Joint CID Graduate Student Lunch Seminar and Research on Sustainable Development Seminar, 10 March 2006, Center for International Development, Development Seminar, 10 March 2006, Center for International Development,
Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Objective of Presentation:Objective of Presentation:
To demonstrate that “good To demonstrate that “good enough governance” works.enough governance” works.
Governance is focus of much work Governance is focus of much work today – 45 governance reform today – 45 governance reform elements in early 90’s and about 150 elements in early 90’s and about 150 today.today.
How do we get it right??How do we get it right??
““If leadership is at the heart of good If leadership is at the heart of good public policy, accountability is at its public policy, accountability is at its soul. You owe an account of your soul. You owe an account of your stewardship. You exercise power not stewardship. You exercise power not in your name, but in the name of in your name, but in the name of citizens”. citizens”. Michael IgnatieffMichael Ignatieff
Governance Issues Governance Issues
The water crisis is often a crisis of governance (2000, World Water Forum)
Not all sustainable development issues can be solved by governments
Governance encompasses laws, regulations and institutions, but it also relates to government policies and actions, to domestic activities, and to networks of influence, including international market forces, the private sector and civil society (Global Water Partnership, 2003)
Why do Projects “Fail”??Why do Projects “Fail”??
“insufficient public involvement” Benguela and Black Sea
“Underdeveloped civil society and inadequate awareness” Caspian Sea
“insufficient involvement of stakeholders” Mediterranean
“poor governance is a major issue in many African countries, and one that has serious repercussions for long-term food security” International Research Institute
Status of Stakeholder GroupsStatus of Stakeholder Groups
Government
Fewer resources Many competing interests Under siege – jobs, debt, HIVAIDS,unrest Governance challenges May have conflict of interest (judge, proponent,
policeman) Huge range of governance capacity Small progress can make big difference for trust
Status of Stakeholder GroupsStatus of Stakeholder Groups
Civil SocietySometimes better organized and fundedSophisticated responses possibleCan operate at global levelWatch govt and industry closelyCan be useful partnerMust know rights and have info to be able to
address govt accountability issuesPolitical influence critical
Status of Stakeholder GroupsStatus of Stakeholder Groups Public
Willing to act??? Mobilized??? Expect more from govt
and industry Knows rights under policy
and law??? Can make or break a project Key point..public is variable! Poor seek voice around specific issues, not poverty in
general
Status of Stakeholder GroupsStatus of Stakeholder Groups
IndustryUnder pressure to supply resourcesCan no longer ignore public concernsEnv policy and law more stringentPeer pressure growingCosts lower for those who engage
public in meaningful way early in process
Civil Society from Now OnCivil Society from Now On• Battle of Seattle (1999)
proved civil society now global force
• Where social capital and civil society strong one sees better schools, lower crime, higher employment and wages, more respect for govt and industry
• Civil society now on World Economic Forum agenda
• But: Who owns the media?? $US 10 billion spent by industry on public relations
And, what if……?And, what if……?
• You do a great public participation program
• Local community fully engaged, respected and supports project
• Everything seems a go…
• BUT..a powerful NGO takes charge of the agenda and sways public opinion perhaps thousands of kms away
• There is possibility project could be blocked because of ill-informed publics not directly affected by the project!!!
• Is this good governance?
And Consider these Quotes:And Consider these Quotes:“Fundamental to the success of all our efforts
at reconstruction and development is community action and participation” Nelson Mandela (1998)
Quotes continued:Quotes continued:
“The African Union Southern Africa Regional Office agrees (with Calabash) that the participation or involvement of the public and civil society in government projects and programmes is important as it enhances the commitment and will to see the successful completion of the same”
Ambassador Susan Sikaneta, African Union (2003)
Compliance Requirements for Compliance Requirements for StatesStates
Agenda 21 – 80 references to PPNEPAD Environmental Action Plan Biodiversity ConventionSADC Policies ISO standardsMillennium Development GoalsEIAs Law, ConstitutionsAfrica Charter on Public Participation IFI requirements
“Governments cannot do the job alone, and civil society groups have a critical role to play, along with commercial enterprises” Kofi Annan
Objectives for Participation Objectives for Participation
Take account of views and concerns of key stakeholders
Ensure important impacts are not overlooked
Reduce conflicts Increase transparency, trust and
confidence Obtain local knowledge Establish basis for long-term
collaborative relationship (critical!!!)
Who are participants in PP?Who are participants in PP?
IAP which can include: local people, NGOs, government agencies, other industry, academics, specialists, media, women, children.
Factors affecting Effectiveness Factors affecting Effectiveness of Engagementof EngagementPovertyRemotenessLiteracy levelCultural and local valuesLanguageLegal vs trad systemsDominance of groupsProponent credibility
How are Benefits Achieved?How are Benefits Achieved?
Clarity Respect Commitment Timeliness Communication Champions Responsiveness Accountability Others???
Specific Issues from PublicSpecific Issues from Public
What about the San cultural site? Will clearing of veg endanger rare
species? The view from my home will be lousy! Will access roads bring in unwanted
campers etc? Can I cross the river to visit my relatives? Can I get a job on the project? Will I be able to fish?
Public Issues Cont’:Public Issues Cont’: Where will I graze my cattle? Will I have to move my home? Will workers upset my village? Can I supply raw materials to the project? Not in my back yard!! (NIMBY) Will my house/land value decrease? What about tracks on the veld? Will you cut my locks? Do you respect us?
Where is the line to go? What are the possible issues?
Where is the line to go? What are the possible issues?
What about issues for this area?
Hint: a wealthy lawyer lurks here!
PP is really all about this: PP is really all about this: At a recent public
hearing for a power project, a local farmer said this: “All we want from the company is respect. Just tell us when you are going to be on our land, please don’t cut locks without permission and tell us when you are doing surveys so we can move our livestock”
““Every River Has its People” (Okavango Every River Has its People” (Okavango River Basin) – What Worked???River Basin) – What Worked???
Legitimacy and trust Open-ended process Information flow Equitable involvement of
basin states Understand community
perspectives Community capacity
building Community involvement Policy review and reform
AND:AND:A local Induna in South Africa has authorized A local Induna in South Africa has authorized Africa Minerals to mine in the community Africa Minerals to mine in the community without consulting them. The result: without consulting them. The result: “we “we demand that we be consulted adequately, so demand that we be consulted adequately, so that we can make our inputs and suggestions that we can make our inputs and suggestions
to the the entire process!!”to the the entire process!!”
Conclusion: Much work remains to Conclusion: Much work remains to be done on engagement in the be done on engagement in the SADC regionSADC region
Calabash has completed: Calabash has completed: Situation Assessment Project Team Development Planning Workshop and Proceedings Communication Plan Newsletters Development of Contact Group Public relations with Contact Group Development of partnerships in the region 2005 PP calendar
Calabash Outputs Continued Calabash Outputs Continued
6 EIA/PP case studies Development of Public Participation TORS
templates (point, linear, SEA) Development of PP rights to participation Development of procedural handbook
(incorporates TORS templates and PP rights) as well as key PP/EIA learning points generated over the last year with Calabash
Web Site with Electronic Library and Chat Forum etc (250 sites)
Pilot EIA/PP Training Programme
From African Union, Feb 2005From African Union, Feb 2005 “They say great ideas and hard work of a few
people can impact the entire world. This seems to be the case with SAIEA. The inclusion in the CFA Report on what you are doing not only underlies the importance of the subject you are dealing with, but the impact it is having as well as the appreciation of the international community of your commitment.
We feel encouraged to be associated in any way with SAIEA.” Ambassador Susan Sikaneta (2005)
SummarySummary“Good enough governance” works Good public participation is a way for
companies and governments to secure future business opportunities and establish partnerships, including civil society.
Engagement provides many forms of capacity building for the poor.
Calabash Success FactorsCalabash Success Factors
Started from what is working in a sector and build from there
Linked as much as possible to issues of poor (e.g. rights to participation)
Prioritised governance effortsGot buy in from top and bottomCivil society was (is) a very strategic
capacity building catalystNetwork, network, network
Roles for DonorsRoles for Donors
Governance research concerning sectors Building capacity in all governance
stakeholder groups (do not forget media) Assist in prioritising governance
interventions since donors have a global view on what works and doesn’t
Knowledge broker and facilitator Build on national capacity in governance,
e.g. (whole of government principle) Role of Cities??
From the history books:From the history books:“ Go to the people, learn from them,
love them. Start with what they know, build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say: “We have done this ourselves”
Lao Tsu, 700BC
Where to Get More Where to Get More InformationInformation????Go to http://www.saiea.com
and click on Calabash
Many thanks from Many thanks from SAIEA/Calabash!SAIEA/Calabash!