Climate change, forest governance and REDD+ in Cambodia: workshop series for university students

Transcription

1 Climate change, forest governance and REDD+ in Cambodia: workshop series for university students From February 15 to June 21, 2014 Coordinated by: Nguon Pheakkdey Lecturer, Department of International Studies Royal University of Phnom Penh

2 Workshop series on climate change, forest governance and REDD+ in Cambodia Pheakkdey Nguon Lecturer, Department of International Studies Royal University of Phnom Penh Introduction The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has been making significant progress at national and subnational level on the development and implementation of REDD+, an international policy that aims at addressing climate change through improved forest governance in developing countries. The RGC has also involved various groups of stakeholders including civil society organizations and private sector to work in partnership with the government on REDD+. There has been a variety of awareness raising activities that have been conducted by different institutions, in particular the Cambodia REDD+ Taskforce Secretariat, for various groups of stakeholders. However, this line of work has been limited for the academic community, especially for students who might be interested in pursuing REDD+ as a thesis topic. For example, there is no program at national universities such as the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) or the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) that prepares or even introduces students to the development and implementation of REDD+ policies and projects in Cambodia. Therefore, to bridge this current gap, a series of workshops (total 10) on REDD+, forest governance and climate change was conducted from February 15 to June 21, 2014 at the Department of International Studies, Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). This workshop series attracted about 35 students from various departments of the RUPP and the RUA. The NGO Forum on Cambodia provided the financial supports to cover the arrangement and refreshment for each workshop. Overall, the goals of this workshop series were to: 1. Introduce students to the development and implementation of REDD+ in Cambodia 2. Encourage students to explore this area of work (forest governance, REDD+, and climate change) as potential topics for their undergraduate theses 3. Introduce students to different institutions that have been involved in realizing REDD+ in Cambodia 4. Establish network between the two leading universities and institutions involved in realizing REDD+ in Cambodia 5. Prepare students for potential internships or careers with institutions working on REDD+ in Cambodia Guest speakers The 10 workshops took place every Saturday from 14:00pm to 17:00pm at Room 16, Building C, DIS, RUPP campus. The first part of the workshop usually started with a presentation by the guest speaker on the overview of the work that their institution is undertaking in regards to the development and implementation of REDD+, forest governance and climate change in Cambodia. The second part of the workshop involved an interactive discussion between the guest speaker and the students on potential topics that students can explore as the topics for their theses. Often times, conversations in this second part of the workshop also focused on the possibilities for internships at the invited guest s institution. The following table summarized the list of invited guests of the workshop series.

3 Table 1: Summary of the workshop series Feb 15 Nguon Pheakkdey Invited Guests Presentation Title Key Points DIS, RUPP Introduction to research on climate change and REDD+ 1. Introduction to the workshop series - Purposes - Expectations - Participants self-introduction 2. Brief introduction on - Basic science of climate change - Current research on forest governance and REDD+ 3. Overview of REDD+ development and implementation in Cambodia Feb 22 Koe Kalyan UNDP United Nations and Climate Change in Cambodia 1. The United Nations - History and works of the UN - UN activities in Cambodia since 1950s 2. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Objectives of the UNDP - UNDP in Cambodia 3. The UNDP s work on climate change - Cambodia Climate Change Alliance - Community based adaptation - Climate resilience in agriculture and water - Cambodia UN-REDD National Programme - Sustainable forest management - Forest Carbon Partnership Facility 4. UNDP s key achievements on climate change in Cambodia Mar 15 Peter Iversen Cambodia REDD+ Secretariat REDD+ negotiations at the UNFCCC 1. Climate change science and politics - Current scientific consensus and global policy negotiations - Roles of land use and forestry sector in global climate change mitigation and adaptation 2. REDD+ - Challenges Political/economic Technical - Scale of implementation

4 - Other issues 3. Current works on REDD+ in Cambodia - National forest monitoring systems and GHG inventory - Forest definition - Establishment of reference level REDD+ activities Carbon pools Lack of historic data (especially degradation) - Safeguards 4. Dilemma for REDD+ countries 5. UNFCCC REDD+ mechanism versus voluntary market REDD+ schemes Mar 22 Yeang Donal Fauna and Flora International Empirical experience from Siem Reap 1. Introduction to REDD+ and global negotiations 2. Decisions on REDD+ at the UNFCCC 3. Kyoto Protocol 4. Cambodia progress at the UNFCCC and REDD+ 5. Social and environmental safeguards for REDD+ 6. Three phases of REDD+ development and implementation 7. Legal context for REDD+ implementation in Cambodia 8. Experience from REDD+ pilot projects in Cambodia - Oddar Meanchey - Siem Reap Mar 29 Teng Rithiny NGO Forum on Cambodia Experience of NGO Forum on REDD+ and CSOs Perspective 1. Background of the NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF) - History and overview of NGOF - Membership and networking 2. Programs and activities of the NGOF - NGOF s organizational structure - Roles and functions of the four main programs 3. NGOF s activities on REDD+ - REDD+ policy monitoring project - Activities and outputs on REDD+ 4. Cambodia CSO-REDD+ Network - History and objectives of CSO-REDD+ Network - Memberships and activities - Participation at the national and local levels 5. Stakeholders engagement and representation in policy process

5 May 03 Chhoeng Soviriya Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme Regional experience with REDD+ and social forestry in ASEAN 1. Brief overview on NTFP-EP 2. NTFP-EP programs and activities in Cambodia and the region - Conservation and resource management - Food and health security - Enterprise development - Advocacy 3. Operationalization of NTFP-EP, community based forest enterprise (CBFE) in Cambodia - Organizing and strengthening CBFEs - Capacity building - Incorporating indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices into CBFEs - Integrating sustainable resource management plans in CBFE operations - Identifying appropriate markets - Developing products and appropriate technologies - Linking CBFEs to value chain actors - Conducting needs-based research - Designing standards and applying appropriate certification schemes - Providing access to finance - Monitor impact 4. Lessons learnt from NTFP-EP works in Cambodia May 24 Chhun Delux Forestry Administration Forest Governance and REDD+ for the Royal Government of Cambodia 1. Defining governance 2. Governance components in natural resource management - Institutions - Process - Statutory and customary law 3. Governance principle in natural resource management - Transparency - Rule of law - Accountability - Participation 4. Forest governance and REDD+ implementation in Cambodia - Institutions - Process - Statutory and customary law 5. Governance principle for REDD+ in Cambodia - Transparency

6 - Rule of law - Accountability - Participation 6. Roles of government agencies to ensure successful implementation of REDD+ in Cambodia - As a coordinator - As a facilitator Jun 07 Sao Sotheary East West Management Institute Grassroots Networking and Advocacy Coordination: Prey Lang Communities Network 1. Overview of EWMI 2. Forest and communities, linkages 3. Prey Lang Communities Network - History of the network - Objectives - Members and activities - Personal accounts of community members 4. Social justice and grassroots movement Jun 14 Jun 21 Kim Narong Nguon Pheakkdey Wildlife Conservation Society DIS, RUPP Status, experience, and recommendations from development and implementation of Seima REDD+ pilot project, Mondulkiri Province Research and Scholarship: Climate Change, Forest Governance and REDD+ 1. History of the Seima Protection Forest 2. Development of REDD+ pilot project in Seima 3. Status of Seima REDD+ pilot project 4. REDD+ and local communities 5. Land tenure and land uses in Seima 6. Importance of consultation 7. Experience of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) with local communities in Seima 8. Results of the FPIC processes in Seima 9. Recommendations 1. Recaps of to the workshop series - Purposes - Expectations 2. Summary of key messages from previous sessions 3. Overview of the progress of REDD+ development and implementation in Cambodia 4. Possible topics for research on REDD+, forest governance and climate change in Cambodia 5. Tips on where and how to get support for thesis research

7 Workshops evaluation At the end of the 10 th workshop, all participants were asked to voluntarily complete an evaluation form that focuses on the positive and constructive comments on each of the workshop. The following table presents the comments from students. Out of the 35 participants, 25 students submitted their evaluation of the workshop series. Similar comments are grouped together. This evaluation was done anonymously. It should be noted that these comments are typed exactly as written by students. Table 2: Evaluation of the workshop Positive comments I am very grateful to the organizer for this workshop series. I have learned a lot. I learned a lot about climate change and environment in general, REDD+ and climate change in Cambodia, why Cambodia needs REDD+. I also appreciate the tips and advice from guest speakers on internship and work opportunities I learned about what is REDD, REDD+, the importance of environmental protection globally and in Cambodia I learned a lot about REDD+, which before the workshop series I did not really know about. I also learned a lot about climate change in Cambodia and globally Each workshop was very interesting. I learned a lot about the REDD+ projects in Mondulkiri province I get clearer view about REDD+ from the workshop, especially on its background and its progress in Cambodia. It was also a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet these amazing speakers. I also get a lot of ideas of what I can research for my thesis. Finally, additional to REDD+, I also learned a lot about other topics such as civil society involvement in Cambodia, and grassroots activities, etc. In conclusion, although this is a small group, it is a splendid workshop. It gives detail about something I cannot learned at other places I have learned a lot. I used to be so interested in environment, but since my major is International Studies, I got no chance to know much about it. Attending this workshop gives me chances to know how enthusiastic the national as well as international society concerned about climate change issues. I started to feel more concerned about this important issue Constructive comments I suggest that the organizer should increase the numbers of announcement for each of the workshop to attract more students I suggest that the organizer advertise about this workshop on the internet to make sure other students are aware of this great workshop Please provide the presentation slides before the workshop, if possible. Also, if possible, I would suggest that we have a roundtable discussion which allow everyone to answer the question I suggest that the organizer advertise about this workshop on the internet to make sure other students are aware of this great workshop I hope that there is a part two of this workshop series Sometimes the presentation is a bit abstract and I cannot fully understand Overall, this workshop has been produced greatly already. I do thank and appreciate all the efforts from Lecturer Pheakkdey and all the guest speakers

8 Overall, I think this is a great workshop series. There are so many interesting topics I have learnt a lot of things related to REDD+, the implementation of REDD+ and agencies that have been working on REDD+. Furthermore, I also have learnt how indigenous people depend on forest products as well as protect the forest. In additional to that I now know a lot of NGOs that work on these topics I learnt a lot about how to work with local communities and indigenous people on climate change and REDD+. I also learnt about the important link between forest and climate change I learned a lot about REDD+ and how it works in participating countries, including Cambodia. I appreciated most about the experiences on livelihood activities with local communities by government and non-government groups. After the workshops, I have learnt so much about REDD+ programme and activities, and how the international community has been working on this topic. Importantly, these workshops illustrated how stakeholders have been involved in forest governance in Cambodia. Also, I appreciate the opportunities to interact with guest speakers I suggest that registration for this workshop should be done online, if possible. I also think that third year students should be prioritized to attend this workshop series because it might help them to think about their thesis topics. Maybe, in the next workshop series, there should be a topic that talks about geographic information system and remote sensing application for climate change and REDD+ The workshops should take shorter time than the full three hours because some of the students might be busy with their school s works The guest speakers were great, but I wish that we had more speakers who work on REDD+ in Cambodia I have no suggestions. Thank you for the workshops In my opinion, the workshops are very good with interesting topics and guest speakers. In order to improve, I would suggest that students talk more during the workshops. I would also suggest that the next workshop series, if there is a plan, should focus on development and climate change related issues

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12 Photos from the workshops Caption: Introducing guest speaker, Ms. Keo Kalyan, UNDP Programme, Cambodia Caption: Group photo with guest speaker

13 Caption: Presentation by Mr. Peter Iversen, Cambodia REDD+ Taskforce Secretariat Caption: Presentation by Ms. Teng Rithiny, NGO Forum on Cambodia

14 Caption: Presentation by Mr. Yeang Donal, Fauna and Flora International Caption: Group photo

15 Caption: Presentation by Mr. Chhun Delux, Forestry Administration Caption: Presentation by Mr. Kim Narong, Wildlife Conservation Society

16 Caption: Presentation by Mr. Nguon Pheakkdey, Royal University of Phnom Penh Caption: Final group photo