Papers 9: Annex 6.10

Annex 6.10
UNESCO Chair in integrated coastal management for sustainable development in coastal regions and in small islands at the University of the Philippines, Diliman

Revision Date:	1^st March, 2001.
Title:	UNESCO Chair in integrated coastal management for sustainable development in coastal regions and in small islands at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Goals:	In the short term, to institutionalize a Chair in integrated coastal management for sustainable development in coastal regions and in small islands at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Emphasis is on disciplines which the country and the region need: coastal ecosystem dynamics, integrated coastal management, socio-economics, cultural anthropology, and institutional/legal dynamics. In the long term, to use highly trained manpower to implement ‘wise’ management options for the sustainable development of coastal areas in the Philippines and the southeast Asian region.
Location:	University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Starting date:	November 1998; the Chair was formally established on 21^st July 2000, with an agreement signed by the UNESCO Director General and the President of the University of the Philippines.
Partners:	College of Science, Environmental Science Program (CS-ESP), University of the Philippines; UNESCO: Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), Coastal Regions and Small Islands (CSI) platform.
Contact person:	Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, Coordinator, CS-ESP, Villadolid Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman 1101, Quezon City, Philippines. Tel: + 632 922 3959, 632 920 5301 loc. 7919 Fax: + 632 924 7678 e-mail: fortesm@upmsi.ph, mdfortes@pacific.net.ph
Chairholders:	Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, Marine and Coastal Science, Second Semester, 1998-1999; Dr. Luzviminda L. Valencia, Environmental Sociology, Second Semester 1998-1999 to First Semester, 1999-2000, e-mail c/o Dr. Miguel Fortes Prof. Rebecca Rivera-Guieb, Social Sciences, First Semester, 1999-2000, e-mail: rrivera@netgazer.com.ph, beckyguieb@usa.net Dr. Esteban Magannon, Social Anthropology, First Semester, 2000-2001, e-mail magannon@cybercable.fr
Description:	The University of the Philippines and UNESCO jointly launched the Chair to advance opportunities for promoting an integrated system of research and training, and to link the chairholders with pilot project activities in Ulugan Bay and MAB activities in Puerto Galera.
	The following activities have been undertaken:
	Research Activities:
	1	The Chair provides support for promoting an integrated system of learning that is accommodated as special topics in the CS-ESP. In the lectures and seminars for CS-ESP, the chairholders use their research data and involvement in the field projects as case studies and ‘seeds’ for class projects.
	2	Dr. Valencia, as a technical consultant in charge of the social aspects of development activities, has evaluated Environmental Impact Assessment reports on the provinces of Palawan and Mindoro.
	3	Dr. Fortes’ class project in Environmental Science 282 (Environmental Impact Assessment) for the Second Semester 1999-2000 focused on the tourism development plan of Puerto Galera. Likewise, his other classes have produced studies that informed both the Ulugan Bay and Puerto Galera projects. He worked on the ecological profile of Ulugan Bay and utilizes this case study in his lectures.
	4	Ms. Rivera-Guieb’s thrust is to utilize case studies, such as the Philippines experience on sustainable integrated coastal management (ICM) and the livelihood projects within the Fisheries Sector Program, to demonstrate integrated coastal management ICM approaches. She worked on the socio-economic profile of Ulugan Bay and utilizes this case study in her lectures.
	Support to Pilot Projects:
	1	The chairholders are actively involved in the UNESCO activities in Ulugan Bay and Puerto Galera. Dr. Fortes, for example, was responsible for a study on seagrass-fish interaction in Ulugan Bay. Ms. Rivera-Guieb, used the socio-economic profile of Ulugan Bay as a basis for a community-based sustainable tourism initiative in the area.
	2	The chairholders have interacted with the City Government of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), the NGO is responsible for the education campaign for the Ulugan Bay project.
	3	Dr. Fortes presently coordinates the UNESCO programme in Puerto Galera in the Province of Oriental Mindoro and has transformed the site into a laboratory for his classes so that the students can have a practical hands-on experience and a better appreciation of local and on-the-ground strategies. Dr. Fortes and Ms. Rivera-Guieb also participated in the Ecotone IX held in Puerto Galera in May 2000, as workshop coordinator and convenor of the socio-economics module, respectively.
	Training Activities:
	(1) For the second semester 1998-1999 and with 15 students and 3 young researchers, the class in Environmental Science 297 (Special Topics: Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics) went to Ulugan Bay to conduct studies on coral reefs, seagrass beds and water quality. This initiative was the first attempt to monitor the damage wrought by the December 1998 typhoon. The results of these studies have contributed to an understanding of the natural components and processes in the bay.
	(2) For the first semester 1999-2000, the class in Environmental Science 297 tackled the same subject matter as in the previous semester; however, emphasizing an ecosystem approach as well as an ICM approach. These combined methodologies are new additions to the academic content of the course.
	(3) In support of the activities in Ulugan Bay, Ms. Rivera-Guieb facilitated training on participatory research and coastal resource management planning in 1998 and 1999. Community organizers from various NGOs in Palawan and community extension workers of the City Government participated in the training.
Achievements & Assessment:	(1) The Chair is laying laid down a foundation for an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation in the field of ICM and sustainable development in coastal regions and in small islands. This integrated system of learning is designed for the students, many of whom are themselves trainers, researchers, NGO workers, or government staff. Exchanges among the faculty, students and researchers utilize concrete examples that relate to practical strategies and local actions, which directly impact people’s livelihoods.
	(2) One of the most significant achievements of the Chair is to link teaching and research with project activities in Ulugan Bay and Puerto Galera. The scientific inputs guided the project activities and learning is enhanced by expanding the base of knowledge to include the views and perspectives of stakeholders from the project sites.
	(3) Efforts are being made to establish and expand institutional linkages. For example, the Philippine Coastguard (PCG) of the Department of Transportation and Communication is expected to forge a co-operative venture with CS-ESP. The latter will train PCG personnel on the fundamentals of ecological science and pollution prevention, control and monitoring. The PCG has modern laboratory facilities, which the CS-ESP lacks. The objective is to train personnel from all over the country and to institutionalize the effort so that the capacity is built and maintained. In addition, CS-ESP coordinates activities with the National Defense College (where Dr. Fortes is a Fellow), and plans to link up with the Department of Human Geography of Stockholm University, Sweden and Connecticut College in the U.S.A.
Future Directions:	To continue with the activities already initiated by the Chair and to sustain efforts of the CS-ESP in institutionalizing the integrated system of research, training, information and documentation in the field of ICM and sustainable development in coastal regions and in small islands.

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