The Commonwealth Foundation presents nine papers on the theme of Governance for Resilience, which are available for download now. The papers pick up themes first aired at the Commonwealth People’s Forum in 2015.
Background
The Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) is a biennial event held prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. CPF 2015 took place on 23-26 November 2015 and was jointly organised by the Government of Malta (host) and the Commonwealth Foundation. CPF 2015 critically explored policy based actions under the theme of “What Makes Resilient Societies?” It provided an innovative opportunity for civil society organisations to share knowledge and learn from each other as well as to interact with governance institutions on key policy issues. The CPF2015 series elaborates on the issues covered in the Malta Declaration on Governance for Resilience.
Use, translate, adapt
The Commonwealth Foundation encourages the use, translation, adaptation and copying of this material for non-commercial use. We ask that appropriate credit be given to the Commonwealth Foundation. The perspectives expressed are the views of the author while documenting the opinions expressed by delegates of CPF 2015 in their deliberations and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commonwealth Foundation.
Downloads
Malta declaration
Introductory paper
Policy briefs
Discussion papers
Complete series
Issue
It is estimated that between 20 and 40 percent of the city of Port Harcourt’s population lives in self-built waterfront settlements. The government in Nigeria have plans to redevelop the city which would benefit from the inputs of local communities. The project is working with young people to share their experiences living in these waterfront slums.
Project
Human City Media Advocacy Initiative is establishing a group of engaged musicians and producers from marginalised communities with the technical skills, artistic capacity and cultural connections to initiate independent radio productions. The project is working with renowned Nigerian and international musicians, producers, artists and scholars to train and mentor young people. The project will also engage state and city government officials in debates on issues affecting communities, through community radio programmes and discussions.
Stakeholder Democracy Network and Human City Media Advocacy Initiative in Nigeria are empowering residents of waterfront slums to use music and other art forms to advocate for a more inclusive cityscape. Using music and radio production as a medium for social expression and constructive political engagement, the project is increasing the visibility of waterfront communities and their issues at local and national level.
Endorsed project title: Empowering residents of waterfront slums to advocate for an inclusive city in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Photo credit: Flickr CC Igor Putina Soundboard
Stakeholder Democracy Network, UK
Stakeholder Democracy Network supports empowerment of citizens to work together and with their government to address development challenges. With core focus on democratisation, resilient communities, access to energy, environment and resource governance SDN has partnered with Human City Media Advocacy Initiative to work with marginalised waterfront communities in Port Harcourt over the past five years. www.stakeholderdemocracy.org
Issue
Many Jamaican communities are adversely affected by poor air and water quality from a variety of sources including open burning, mining, quarrying and other industrial activities. However, community awareness of the negative impacts on health and the environment is typically very low. In addition, data on air and water pollution levels is not made widely available, and Jamaican communities often find it difficult to access this information from state regulatory agencies.
Project
Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is working with a selection of groups from communities experiencing air and water quality issues to form community-led advocacy networks. These networks are engaging with the government’s regulatory agency and other industry stakeholders to advocate for proactive disclosure of air and water quality data and an improved regulatory framework. The project is also conducting and sharing research on existing legal and policy frameworks in Jamaica and across the globe, to increase awareness and strengthen advocacy.
Ultimately, community awareness of the impact of air and water quality on health and the environment is expected to improve, and the communities involved in the project will be better equipped to engage with the issues identified.
The Commonwealth Foundation has awarded a grant of £59,390 over 24 months.
Jamaica Environment Trust
Jamaica Environment Trust is a non-government non-profit membership organisation based in Jamaica. Jamaica Environment Trust’s mission is to protect Jamaica’s natural resources using education, conservation, advocacy and the law, and to influence individual and organisational behaviour and public policy and practice.www.jamentrust.org
Ahead of the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) 2015, Vijay Krishnarayan (Director, Commonwealth Foundation) introduces the concept of resilience as a transformative force for sustainable development.
The second in a series of civil society reflections on participatory governance The SAMOA Pathway: Recommendations from Commonwealth civil society provides an analysis of the main conclusions of the Third UN Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Summit held in September 2014.
It offers recommendations from civil society in the Commonwealth from the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean 1 on the critical issues raised in the SAMOA Pathway, the principal output from the SIDS Summit, on how to begin to turn these commitments into a transformative agenda for the sustainable and inclusive development of SIDS.
The second in a series of civil society reflections on participatory governance The SAMOA Pathway: Recommendations from Commonwealth civil society provides an analysis of the main conclusions of the Third UN Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Summit held in September 2014.
It offers recommendations from civil society in the Commonwealth from the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean 1 on the critical issues raised in the SAMOA Pathway, the principal output from the SIDS Summit, on how to begin to turn these commitments into a transformative agenda for the sustainable and inclusive development of SIDS.
Issue
The Eastern Malaysian state of Sabah is abundant with mineral and ecological natural resources, but stewardship of these is no simple task.
Project
The Partners of Community Organisations in Sabah (PACOS Trust) is seeking to improve the vital role that indigenous peoples of Sabah play in monitoring and stewarding these resources. State recognition of their roles in protecting indigenous peoples and community conserved areas (ICCAs) has not been consistent and this grant will help to remedy that.
The focus of the work will be to increase the resilience of the traditional practices, protocols and customary laws that indigenous peoples already use to conserve and protect the resources. The people will be supported in documenting their customary institutions, to aid with the development of plans and priorities for increasing their recognition, for greater dialogue between community organisations and government institutions and for the increased participation of local indigenous peoples’ group leaders in regional and international networks. The PACOS Trust also wants to support local groups with participating in international policy development on indigenous peoples’ issues, such as the bi-annual sessions of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The project will also be supported by Natural Justice, a South African organization that has a strong track record of providing legal and legislative support to civil society organisations working on indigenous peoples’ issues.
The PACOS Trust recognises the expertise of indigenous peoples in natural resource stewardship and the importance of their involvement in a sustainable solution to addressing challenges. By building a strong role for indigenous peoples in the policies of the conservation and restoration of the local ecosystems, habitats and species, the PACOS Trust will forge constructive engagement between the people who know these resources the best and the groups and powers that can help preserve their future.
Follow /pacostrust on Facebook
Issue
The role of civil society, in particular women and young people, in influencing local governance processes in India is recognised as vital.
Project
Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA) are working with civil society, women and young people in the environmental field, to help them influence local governance processes in India.
With a grant from the Commonwealth Foundation, this project will improve the skills and capacity of civil society organisations to engage with local government, nurturing collaborative relationships and better understanding. Advocacy models will demonstrate environmental sustainability concerns, fostering cooperation, sharing knowledge and promoting the involvement of young people and women in local governance.
The project will work with diverse stakeholders nurturing a collective sense of responsibility. It has a strong environmental aspect and targets women as well as addressing cross-cutting themes.
Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA)
TARA is a registered social enterprise in New Delhi, India.
It enables the creation of livelihood support systems through training and capacity building for the rural poor and marginalised communities. It is part of the Development Alternatives Group, an organisation providing development solutions in India and elsewhere.
www.tara.in
Issue
Environmental change is fueling poverty in remote areas of Ghana, impacting badly on women farmers, with poor yields and low incomes. Many women are unable to mitigate the environmental effects, nor do they have access to local authorities who could help them address these issues.
Project
Friends of the Earth – Ghana is encouraging collaboration between women’s groups and local authorities to work together to address environmental and livelihood concerns, contributing to sustainable development in Ghana. This Commonwealth Foundation grant will facilitate the collaboration of 250 women subsistence farmers and four NGOs working on environmental and agricultural issues across three rural districts.
Ultimately the project will be scaled up and replicated to benefit a larger group of farmers, helping them to adopt ecological agricultural practices, re-greening and restoring depleted land and water resources.
This project aims to close the gap between remote rural communities and relevant policy makers, enabling women farmers particularly, to talk to local authorities about environmental change and strengthening their ability to engage in participatory governance.
Friends of the Earth Ghana
Friends of the Earth – Ghana is part of a worldwide international network of environmental organisations in 60 countries.
It focuses on environmental, social and economic issues working to bring about sustainable and socially equitable development through community participation. Friends of the Earth recognises that only projects fully accounting for the diversity of cultures, needs and aspirations of communities will gain their full support and be successful in the long term. The organisation has a rich experience of working in the environment and climate change sector in Ghana.
www.foe-gh.org
Follow /foe.ghana on Facebook
Follow @FoEint on Twitter
