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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Palau workshop papers
Proposal
for Small Islands Voice in
the San Andres Archipelago in 2003
June-Marie Mow
Ideas for Small Islands
Voice activities in 2003, particularly in the SEAFLOWER Biosphere Reserve
(Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina)
| Revision Date: | 21 October 2002 |
| Title: | Small Islands Voice activities in 2003 |
| Goals: | To strengthen the document centres of the Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina (CORALINA) with personnel, computer equipment, and basic facilities; to promote the training of marine resource user groups in the use of new information and communication technology and make these available at both document centres; to take part in the "information age" and share in the wealth of knowledge, international development fora and programmes, and even the important social validation that comes from exchanging similar experiences and learning from others. |
| Location: |
San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina (SEAFLOWER Biosphere Reserve, Colombian Caribbean) |
| Partners: | Other government agencies, artisanal fishers, non-governmental organizations, churches, farmers |
| Pilot project leader: |
CORALINA |
| Description: | We suggest four major components: |
| Stakeholder participation | |
|
Ø
Inventory
villages and resource user groups (like artisanal fishers, farmers, home
industries) for computer literacy and access. Ø
Collect
information on appropriate web sites, list-servers, and communication
opportunities. Ø
Provide
training on the use of virtual fora, specifically the Wise
Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development (WiCoP) forum, SIDSnet,
Small Islands Voice fora (global
and youth),
and new lines of communication developed during the project. Computer
courses at local training institutes are popular even though very few
attendees have home computers. Ø
Design
and establish a system in which a group would have a computer
"spokesperson" who would be its communicator (meetings could
even be held while the spokesperson was "on line" so group
members could be immediately involved!). These spokespersons could
develop into a grassroots regional "sub-network" that
connected interest groups (again like artisanal fishers). Ø Consultation with stakeholders - to make local environmental decision-making more equitable and representative. CORALINA already consults extensively with stakeholders. |
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Information dissemination |
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Ø
Design and print
informational and educational materials to supplement all training
projects and campaigns. Various forms of printed matter will be produced
such as newsletters, posters, flyers, bulletins, and stickers. Ø
Design and implement
special campaigns. Local media, particularly radio and television, will
be used to inform and educate the people about environmental situations
and CORALINA
projects. Ø
Showcase the youth and
children's reporters on the San Andres and Providence local radio
stations, since this is the most popular form of media on the islands
and promote environmental newsletters at the school level. Establish
contacts with other youth participants of the project via Internet to
exchange information on islands’ issues. Ø
Publish illustrated
written booklets to supplement selected training projects. Since CORALINA
directs the Archipelago's environmental planning process, summary
booklets are designed to acquaint the general community with each
plan. Ø Offer written and audio-visual reference materials for every educational level on all facets of environmental studies through CORALINA’s document centres, which are open to the public in the Archipelago. |
|
| Outreach programme | |
| Hold meetings with established neighbourhood organizations as the most effective way to reach the general public and the best strategy to carry out extensive outreach and informal education programmes. The targets are organized community groups such as NGOs, clubs, church groups, cooperatives and community action groups. | |
| Training programme | |
|
Ø
Train local people to
ensure that CORALINA
is staffed and managed by the community. Ø
Train outreach workers to
give talks in classrooms and neighbourhood groups. Ø Train teachers to be multipliers. |
