MAURITIUS COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE
(MACOSS)

BARBADOS- PROGRAMME OF ACTION

NGO CONSULTATION MEETING
REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF
SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES

19th September 2003 - 9.00 - 16.00
Gold Crest Hotel, St Jean Road, Quatre Bornes

Contents:

• Introduction
• Speeches
• Recommendations of the workshop
• Resume of group work by theme

Introduction

At the request of the Ministry of the Environment an NGO Consultative meeting with affiliated and non-affiliated NGOs was held on the 19th of September 2003 at the Gold Crest Hotel, Quatre Bornes. Sixty representatives of NGOs attended the meeting (list annexed). The Chairman of MACOSS and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and addressed the participants at the Opening ceremony.

In his Speech Mr Dana Chengan - Chairman of MACOSS said, the NGOs play an important role in the Sustainable Development process of a country. Due to NGO proximity with the people, on the one side NGOs play the roles of advocates, but on the other side NGOs also have a commitment to report regularly on progress achieved or shortcomings towards goals or target set. In fact NGOs are the center of concern to give significant attention to projects enhancing the quality of Human life and that is why all NGOs are present at this Consultative Meeting.

In 1994, the Global Conference on Barbados in the process to implementation attempted to translate Agenda 21 into specific policies, actions and measures to be taken at national, regional and international level. Nine years have elapsed and progress has been made in certain areas, though at different pace and in some areas it can be that nothing has been done. However during these years other critical and pertinent issues in the process of development and globalization have emerged.

The objectives he said were to reflect upon and to discuss extensively to what extent the policies; actions and measures found in the Barbados programme of action initiated in 1994 have been effectively and efficiently implemented. There is need to review what has been achieved, to have answers to the why and the how, to examine emerging issues and to make a strategic analysis of the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. S. Seebaluck in his speech highlighted on the activities organized by the Ministry on the said context and also informed the reason for a Consultative Meeting with NGOs. Mr Nookadee Secretary of MACOSS and

Mr Marday Poinen, Divisional Environment Officer of the Ministry of Environment briefed the participants on the Declaration of Barbados regarding the 14 issues of the Sustainable Development of SIDS.

The workshop discussions were based on the following:

1.1.1 Climate change and sea-level rise
1.1.2 Natural and environmental disasters
1.1.3 Management of wastes
1.1.4 Coastal and marine resources
1.1.5 Freshwater resources
1.1.6 Land resources
1.1.7 Energy resources
1.1.8 Tourism resources
1.1.9 Biodiversity resources
1.1.10 National institutions and administrative capacity
1.1.11 Regional institutions and technical cooperation
1.1.12 Transport and communication
1.1.13 Science and technology
1.1.14 Human resource development
1.1.15 New emerging issues

The report is produced in two sections, first a series of 23 recommendations and secondly the main points raised during the working sessions.

1. General Observations and Suggestions

A. Continuous Campaigning

1. The need for sensitization of the decision-makers and the public in general is a cross cutting issue
2. NGOs need the assistance of Government, responsible authorities, media etc. in order to carry out sensitization campaigns
3. Environmental education should be done at school level

B. Effective Participation of Civil Society

4. NGO and Community Participation and consultation should be a rule in any development project
5. NGOs should be kept informed and involved in all decision-making processes, and its participation in important global forum/conferences should be ascertained

C. Capacity Building and National Policy on NGOs

6. Formal empowerment of NGOs in the creation of a training school for NGOs should be promoted to increase capacity, skills and knowledge
7. NGOs should have better access to ICT: incentives should be available to NGOs to access ICT
8. There should be a networking of NGOs dealing with the same issues to share views, experiences and lessons learned
9. The National Policy with regard to NGOs should be revisited and a new one adopted in collaboration with NGOs
10. There should be less political interference in NGOs activity

D. Effective Use of Land

11. Land availability, over-development and unplanned development in a SIDS is a major concern especially with regard to wetlands and coastal zones. Coastal construction should be stopped
12. Coastal Region of SIDS should be considered as Economic Resources, so appropriate legislation should be developed.
13. There is a need for the enhancement of an Emergency preparedness plan for Mauritius for the general public before and after a cyclone involving NGOs as partners

E. Enforcement of Law

14. Lack of/or low enforcement of existing laws to protect the environment is considered a major constraint
15. As an island state, there is a need for better control of our Exclusive Economic Zone and to enforce our laws of the sea

F. Local Resources

16. It is high time to consider energy-friendly architectures which not only avoid wastage but also makes the most of the natural sun energy
17. As a SIDS, waste management is considered a big issue - Recycling should be promoted (by giving appropriate incentives, etc.)
18. The Government should give proper attention to waste generation management and pollution in general when devising and authorizing the country's purchasing policy
19. Transport-related pollution is on the increase in such a small island and should be tackled.

G. Tourism as an Industry

20. Tourism should be planned with regards to the carrying capacity of our islands and with regard to our identity which should not be lost to the benefit of tourism

H. Emerging Issues

21. Safety and Security issues of SIDS: Guidelines should be developed
22. International Trade: SIDS should continue or should enjoy preferential regime in trade negotiation as they don't have enormous economic resources
23. Social and economic cost of HIV-AIDS on SIDS
24. Political instability due to religious pressure groups with political agenda affecting the social environment.
25. Increasing social problems due to violence, crimes, drug abuse, prostitution, youth and behavioural problems

I. Follow up

26. Follow-up and preparation of the Barbados +10. An NGO Committee should be set up for the preparation of the September 2004 meeting

2. Resume of Group Work by Theme

Group 1

• Coastal and Marine Resources
• Biodiversity Resources

Facilitator: Mr. C. R. Samboo

Coastal and Marine

1. Avoid Oil Spillage
2. Capacity Regional Wise
3. Jetty and Marina - to bring a National Policy
4. Type - infrastructure
5. Sensitisation programmes - posters, signboards, pamphlets, etc…
6. Concerning our coastal and marine resources
7. Protection of our wetland
8. Barachois & Estuaries - revitalize our barachois for marine natural replenishment of our lagoon and estuaries
9. Integrated coastal and marine development
10. Community integration
11. Database on coral reef and other marine resources for public awareness
12. No five star public beaches with minimum infrastructure
13. Integrated farming inland only
14. Monitoring of eco-tourism on our islets

Group 2

• Natural and Environment Disasters
• Climate Change and Sea level Rise

Facilitator: Mr P. Goolaub - Meteorological Services

1. Difference between climate & weather
2. The climate system
3. The science of climate change (cc) - what is cc, its causes, global warming - the green house gases, ozone depletion
4. The consequences - rising min/max temp - more frequent violent / dry cyclones, warmer winter
5. Impact on agriculture & health
6. Sea level rise - diminishing of beaches
7. Possible cover up of St Brandon, Agalega
8. CEDREFI - Pilot project on sensitisation on Climate Change & Sea level rise at GRSE. - support of UNDP GEF/SGP
9. Intended results: Proper understanding of Climate Change issues, beneficiaries initiating action around Climate Change
10. Change mind set
11. Reduce electricity & water consumption bill & domestic waste generation
12. Greening by school children
13. Adoption of good practice techniques by fisherman & planters
14. Generating & simplifying knowledge on cc
15. Adoption of cc friendly technologies & measures

Recommendations:

• Assistance of Govt to conduct awareness on cc
• Assistance of media to promote individual actions
• To ensure construction of more effective drainage system before issuing dev permits
• Remove all forms of taxes
• To improve increase participation in the assessment, monitoring & mapping of climate impacts
• To enforce all existing legislations

Group 3

• Freshwater Resources
• Land Resources

Facilitator: Mrs. Pamela Bapoo- Dundoo - UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme

Main Freshwater Resources in Mauritius are:

• Rivers
• Underground water
• Lakes
• Reservoirs

Threats (T) to these freshwater resources and proposed mitigating measures (MM):

1. T: Industry Effluents MM: Treatment plants should be compulsory
   
   
2. T: Domestic Wastes
   MM:
   - Increase wastes collection frequency
   - Install common wastes collection area in each village
   - Sensitisation of Citizens to decrease waste generated and to respect environment: use of media, social centers, Citizen Advice Bureau, NGO Talks, Brochures, Essay writing, debates competition etc…with special emphasis on children
   
   
3. T: Illegal fishing techniques
   MM:
   - Enforcement of existing laws
   - Control of products of illegal fishing being sold (ti chevrettes)
   - Sensitisation of population
   
   
4. T: No Sewerage
   MM:
   - Compulsory septic tanks
   - Connection to sewerage: this issue to be specifically addressed by each municipality (especially new ones which are in villages)
   
   
5. T: Agricultural Run-Offs
   MM:
   - Promote use of compost
   - Set up compost making and organic farming program at the Ministry of Agriculture (sensitize all farmers on benefits of compost. AREU)
   - Promote the utilisation of bio-pesticides
   
   
6. T: Washing Clothes /Rivers / Address Squatters Problem
   Isn't this a decreasing threat?
   
   
7. T: Vehicle Cleaning
   MM:
   - Enforcement of existing laws
   - Sensitisation (TV, Spots…) / NGO Talks
   
   
8. T: Religious Practices
   MM:
   Religious NGOs to tackle this issue to sensitise the community about these practices
   
   
9. T: Wrong behaviour /attitude / no respect with regard to freshwater resources
   MM:
   - Change of mind, conduct and attitude
   - Sensitisation
   - Enforcement of laws
   - Provision of proper facilities

Main Land Resources in Mauritius are:

· Agricultural land

· Land for Housing/Construction

· Coastal land

· Nature reserves (including mountains)

Threats (T) to these freshwater resources and proposed mitigating measures (MM):

1. Erosion - (Coastal/Inland)
   Re-introduction of appropriate plant species to stop coastal erosion
   
   
2. Housing /Construction encroaching
   Development and planning should be careful and should avoid speculation and use of prime land
   
   
3. Coastal Development - Decreasing public beaches
   Stop coastal construction
   
   
4. Nature Reserves Mountains
   • Increase nature reserves
   • Protect hem appropriately
   • Visiting fees should be affordable
   • Do not allow unnecessary development
   • Control development of privately own reserves

Group 4

• Energy Resources
• Science and Technology
• Management of Wastes

Facilitators: Mr. I. Balgobin & Mr. A.K. Ragen from the University of Mauritius

Energy Resources

1. Renewable : Coal, Gas, Fuel
2. Renewable :
   (a) Bagasse
   (b) Ethanol
   (c) Solid Waste - Plastic; Paper and Textiles
   (d) Waves
   (e) Solar
   (f) Biogas- Poultry; Sludge; Animal Wastes
   
   
3. Education - Awareness - Changing in habits
   • NGOS are already involved in sensitization campaign
   • Government should encourage and support them
   • Financial and Fiscal incentives to promote energy saving ; e.g purchase compact and fluorescent lamps
   • Promote natural lighting and ventilation while designing of buildings

Science and Technology

1. To promote research and development in energy savings
2. Research finding s to be disseminated widely
3. Promote cleaner technology in industries
4. Promote scientific, technologies and sustainable development education at all levels
5. Encourage NGOs involvement by providing resources and facilities
6. Regular consultation with NGOs and Civil Society in all decision-making procedures
7. NGOs should form part in all delegations (Government)

Management of Wastes

1000 tons of solid waste is disposed as Mare Chicose daily

1. Waste Minimization - Strategy and Policy to reduce, re-use and recycle
2. Replacement of non biodegradable by degradable plastic
3. Promotion of glass containers/bottles
4. Sorting of wastes to be introduced everywhere - Public participation
5. Government should adopt a proper purchasing policy
6. Ban plastic posters, banners and paints during election campaign
7. Setting up of recycling plants - provision of incentives
8. Promote recycling and long life products
9. Composting should be promoted at all levels
10. NGOs should be encourage and supported in Waste reduction campaign.

Group 5

1. Tourism Resources
2. Transport and Communication

Facilitator: Mr Sen Ramsamy

Tourism Resources

97 Hotels with 9800 rooms and 681 tourists visited our Island in 2002. Creation of job direct was 22,000 and indirect 40,000. The turn over income of last year was Rs 18.3 billion

1. Hotels should abide by the existing laws. It is often found that they dump their garbage at the back of the hotel
2. Recycling of water. Use of treated waste water
3. Strict Planning of construction; both public and private
4. Protection of Flora and Fauna by Government, public and NGOs
5. Noise pollution on the beach - suggested a separate area for the hawkers on the beach so that they don't disturb the people who are relaxing, this will eliminate theft
6. Balancing the needs of local people and tourists
7. Growing more vegetables and fruits( more transport to cater for the need/enough beach for Mauritians)
8. More open programmes for tourists to know Mauritius outside hotels
9. More cultural presentation along with our beach
10. New exploitation; e.g. caves
11. Cleaning of nearby islands
12. No restrictions for the access of Mauritians to some specific clubs
13. To focus on issues like terrorism/SARS/Drugs/Stray Dogs/Child Abuse/Prostitution/Immigration/Marine Pollution/Coastal Areas
14. Security of Tourism/Special Counter in Police Stations for Tourists

Transport

1. Laws should be strictly applied to prevent pollution by transport- both public and private
2. As limited land surface in the Island, more flyover /underground transport system should be encourage
3. More street lights/more and clear sign boards for indication
4. Security on public transport, specially for vulnerable groups
5. More careful drivers should be employed in public transport
6. Appropriate facilities for handicapped persons in public transport

Communication

1. Cheaper cost
2. More information to public on current issues
3. More participation to be encouraged from public
4. Cheaper interlink by air/boat among small islands for inter exchange purpose, socially, culturally and commercially
5. More regional collaboration

As all the NGOs are social workers they would like to be integrated in the National Action Plans in al Sectors and would like to take active part. There should be more coordination and facilities among all NGOs in Mauritius and Inter Islands on regular basis

Group 6

• National Institutions and Administrative Capacity
• Regional Institutions and Technical Cooperation

Facilitator: Rep from the Min of External Affairs

Group 7

• Human Resource Development
• Trade and Commerce

Facilitator: Mr Koomara Venkataswamy

Human Resource Development

1. Progressing on economic development and employability. There is more to do
   
   
2. Many are left behind
   a) 60 + people
   b) CPE Drop out
   c) Textile d) Women
   e) Single parents family
   f) Poverty - Pocket of poverty (Trust Fund) - Skills and Knowledge
   
   
3. Living Environment
   a) Housing
   b) Security
   c) Psychological
   
   
4. Social Care (People in need)
   a) New National Policy - Funding Formation- Coordination and Regulation
   
   
5. Gender Equity - To recognize the place of women in our society

Suggestions

1. Laws
   a) Tourist Accountability for Juvenile Prostitution
   b) Open Access to hotels (For Mauritians)
   c) Recognition to our dignity
   
   
2. Housing
   (a) Elderly colonies and facilities
   (b) Half Way Houses for Adolescents /young women
   (c) Half Way Houses for Mentally Handicapped
   (d) Half Way Houses for Ex-prisoners
   (e) Working women Hostel
   
   
3. Education
   (a) Life Long Learning (recycling)
   (b) Skills and knowledge
   (c) Life Skills - Human Values etc. (Read, Write, Type, Socialization)
   (d) Sports and Culture
   (e) Spiritual and Human Values/Social Services
   
   
4. School of Social Service
   (a) Psychology, Counselling, social work etc…
   (b) Social Dialogue
   
   
5. New National Policy one
   (a) Social Care - Funding, Training, Coordination, Regulation
   (b) Gender Equity - More funding towards empowerment programs
   (c) Reinforce and expand gender bureau
   (d) Elderly - Employment after 60, health care and assistance

Trade and Commerce

1. To protect and market for our local products
   
2. Accountability and access to information of Government Services
   (a) Use for funds
   (b) Statistics and work done
   (c) Recruitment (local)

Other Emerging Issues

1. Squatting, no hygiene
2. Promotes social problems, drugs, prostitutions, cutting down trees, pollution of water bodies etc..
3. Increasing number of religious pressure group, associated with political agenda affecting the social environment
4. Increasing violence, crimes, drug abuse, prostitution, youth, behavioral problems
5. AIDS

3. List of Participants to the Workshop