Working Group 8: Post-conflict Management of Natural Resources
Chair: Prof. Olavi Luukkanen (olavi.luukkanen[at]helsinki.fi)
Coordinator: Dr. Mohamed Elfadl (mohamed.elfadl[at]helsinki.fi)
This working group brought together researchers and students who are interested in the sustainable use and conservation of agricultural and tree-based production systems in regions of previous or ongoing serious political conflicts, with Sudan as one special case. The participants discussed the need for continuity in development projects. VITRI’s continuous activities in Sudan for more than 25 years was cited as an illustrative example of how long-term commitment can bring about good results. The main aim of VITRI’s project to date has been capacity-building and the strengthening of partnerships with and between local level institutions and organizations. Some of the lessons learnt from VITRI’s project include that a multi-stakeholder process must recognize the complex and sometimes conflicting interests of the parties involved in natural resource utilization and management, thereby necessitating multi-stakeholder meetings and dialogue.
It was also suggested that REDD funds and carbon trading cannot be expected to contribute much to sustanable forest management or to generating livelihoods and socio-economic development in developing countries unless there is a fair sharing of benefits among the various stakeholders. Other issues discussed included how to determine best practices; how to assess the quality and impacts of those best practices; what measures are needed and for how long; as well as the core importance and type of monitoring criteria and indicators.
- Proceedings by Dr. Mohamed Elfadl