ASIA-EUROPE WORKSHOP: "TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHING PROGRAM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE"

The Workshop will be held on 22-25 October 2008 back-to-back with two other conferences under the umbrella theme: "Governance in a Triptych: Environment, Migration, and Peace and Order." The objectives are the same except for the date. The co-sponsor is the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA). This blogspot will update you with the details, but you may also wish to visit EROPA's website at http://www.eropa.org.ph/

Good news! This blogger and his international partners were awarded a grant by the Asia-Europe Foundation to hold an Asia-Europe Workshop entitled, "Towards the Development of Teaching Program for Higher Education in Environmental Governance." It is to be held in the Philippines and will be organized by the U.P. National College of Public Administration and Governance (U.P.-NCPAG) on 22-25 October 2008.

Environmental governance experts from Europe and Asia will meet in Manila for this workshop. Interested parties are welcome to join. Please e-mail this blogger at efloranoy@yahoo.com for more information. We are also in need of sponsors.

Confirmed participants and papers are as follows (as of this writing):

· Day 1 (28 May 2008): Session 1: The Imperatives for “Environmental Governance” in Europe and Asia

1. “The Environmental Sustainability of the Southeast Asian Region” – Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano (University of the Philippines, Philippines)

2. "The EU: a Model for Regional Environmental Law and Cooperation?" - Dr. Jonas Ebbesson (Stockholm University, Sweden)

· Day 1 (28 May 2008): Session 2: The Role of the Academe in Environmental Governance: European and Asian Experiences.

1. “Environmental Governance” – Dr. Ebinezer R. Florano (University of the Philippines, Philippines)

2. “Environmental Governance: Critical for Sustainability” – former Philippine Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun (Philippines)

3. "Relative Roles of Academe, NGOs and Private Consultancies in Environmental Governance - a case study of Air Quality Management in the UK and Europe" – Dr. Tim Chatterton (University of the West of England, UK)

4. "Transdisciplinary Academic Institutions Concerning Environmental Norms and Actions" – Dr. Jonas Ebbesson (Stockholm University, Sweden)

· Day 2 (29 May 2008): Session 3: Governance of the Commons: Earth, Water, and Air.

1. “Integrated Approach to Adaptation to Climate Change: Case Studies from Europe and Asia” – Dr. Faizal Parish (Global Environment Centre, Malaysia)

2. "The Preservation of Biodiversity at a Global Scale: Links Between Development Aid, Revenue and Conservation Efforts" – Dr. Sophie Thoyer (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie de Montpellier , Montpellier, France)

3. “Public Participation in Water Governance” – Dr. Jona Razzaque (University of the West of England, UK)

4. “Developments in the Earth System and the Need and Prospects for Multilevel Global Governance” – Dr. Gerd Winter (University of Bremen, Germany)

· Day 2 (29 May 2008): Session 4: Environmental Governance: Local, National, and International/Global Levels

1. “Public Participation in Environmental Governance in China: Some Comments on Recent Development of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law" – Dr. Qin Tianbao (Wuhan University, China)

2. “Environmental Governance in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): A Study at a Regional Level” – Dr. Koh Kheng-Lian (National University of Singapore, Singapore)

3. “Implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative and Strategy 2006-2020” - Dr. Faizal Parish (Global Environment Centre, Malaysia)

4. "The Importance of National-Local Frameworks in Environmental Governance" – Dr. Tim Chatterton (University of the West of England, UK)

5. “Development of Participatory Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia” - Dr. Jona Razzaque (University of the West of England, UK)

6. "Economic Incentives for Environmental Governance in China" – Dr. Li Guangbing (Wuhan University, China)

7. “Environmental Conditions and Environmental Governance in Europe:
Challenges and Responses in Historical Perspective” – Dr. Gerd Winter (University of Bremen, Germany)

The concept paper for this workshop is below:

I. Introduction to the Topic and Scientific Objectives

European and Asian countries share one thing in common, though at different point in time - problems associated with environmental degradation. However, the former has already learned its lessons after reaping the whirlwind of environment-related problems, e.g., acid rain, Mediterranean Sea pollution, etc., for the pursuit of progress and industrialization. On the other hand, many developing countries in Asia (and even developed ones) are said to be following the same potentially environmentally-destructive pathways their European counterparts took in the past, all in the name of economic development. This situation in Asia is aggravated by the reality that some neighboring countries do not see eye-to-eye for regional environmental cooperation due to political and/or historical misunderstandings.^[1] Environmental problem-solving in the Asian region is made complex by differences in economic, political and cultural conditions. A challenge for the region is to develop governance mechanisms that can address both regional and global environmental problems. Although there are a number of regional organizations (e.g., Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) and initiatives by the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, there is no initiative to develop a university curriculum on environmental governance.

Europe has so much to offer to Asia in terms of sharing the knowledge, expertise, and skills in Environment Governance which it has developed over the last 30 years. These are evident in the large number of legislative measures of the European Union and its member-states which are said to be broad in scope, extensive in detail, and often stringent in effect.[2] Hence, Europe, as one community represented by the EU, has acquired credibility as an international environmental actor in its own right. EU is also acknowledged for its various contributions to global environmental governance, especially on the issue of climate change.[3] However, there is an increasing observation that “Europe has shifted its ecological burden onto other countries while safeguarding more of its own ecological resources.”^[4] If Europe continues with this, it may erase all the gains and respect its environmental leadership has reaped from the world.

Both continents experiences on preventing, monitoring, and mitigating the effects of environmental degradation could serve as an opportunity for inter-regional environmental cooperation. It is said that Europe has the opportunity to forge “eco-innovation” in partnership with Asian countries.^[5] For example, to help both continents achieve Target 9 of Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals which call for the integration of the principles of sustainable development into country policies and program and reverse the loss of environmental resources (where most European and Asian countries failed), it was pointed out by a report in the Asia-Europe Environment Forum Conference in 2005 that inter-regional cooperation, coordination, and partnership between Europe and Asia should be initiated. The cooperation should center on organization and management system, institutional capacity, and tools and methodologies in implementing the MDG in both continents.^[6]

Academicians from various disciplines, especially those whose expertise is “Environmental Governance,” from the two continents have the potential to forge Asia-Europe inter-regional environmental cooperation. Given their expertise, knowledge, and skills, they could assist government policy- and decision-makers formulate and implement environmentally-sustainable development strategies. However, given the wide geographical, cultural, socio-economic, and political differences among the countries of the two continents, Environmental Governance scholars have to meet not only to get the state of the environment of Europe and Asia in situ, but draw up Environmental Governance curricula and establish inter-regional network. A growing critical mass of scholars, practitioners, and policy analysts that will be produced by the university programs on Environmental Governance would provide sustainable supply of environmental policy experts in, and for the benefit of, both continents.

To achieve the objectives mentioned above, the holding of an international experts’ workshop on Environmental Governance curriculum development is proposed. The overall aim of the project is to enhance the relationship of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Asia and Europe to strengthen graduate curricular programs on Environmental Governance based on the sharing of best practices among participating countries. With this aim, the project will promote and develop curricula on Environmental Governance - both as a discipline in itself and as a part of other disciplines in Asian and European academic institutions. The underlying theme of these courses will focus on environmental sustainability and poverty reduction within the context of intense economic development. These courses will enable students to learn about the environmental, ecological and economic aspects of governance in Europe and Asia - leading to a stronger relationship between these two continents. The curriculum will develop an academic network and facilitate increased access to knowledge and high quality teaching materials. The network and the publication will directly benefit the university teachers and students of the participating countries, and ultimately the people working on Environmental Governance within these countries. The exchange of experience and knowledge gained in this project will enable participants to develop similar courses in their own academic institutions. In the end, the workshop will raise awareness of environmental issues and contribute to the development of strong Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia. Almost all/All of the socio-economic development plans of the participating countries highlight the importance of an improved governance framework as a mean for achieving sustainable development in these countries.

The specific aim of the multi-disciplinary network of participating countries is to bring together several multidisciplinary themes, examine the practices of Environmental Governance in Europe and Asia, and provide a holistic view of Environmental Governance. The foremost concrete objective is to support the participating countries in developing a curriculum on Environmental Governance; and build a multi-disciplinary network of academics. The expected results of the project include: forge a consensus to create a curriculum on Environmental Governance; and create a regional network of academics between Europe and Asia. With this aim, the experts’ workshop will:

(i) Identify topics or areas which could be incorporated as parts of a curricular program with both European and Asian influence and up-to-date knowledge on environmental governance; and

(ii) Create a network of faculty specialists with multi-disciplinary backgrounds from partner universities in Asia, supported by European partners, in order to build a broad knowledge base at the academic level.

---

^[1] Dr. Bernhard Köppen (2005), “Workshop Report: Cross-Border Environmental Protection in Central Europe and Northeast Asia,” Asia Europe Environment Forum Conference 2005 <> 12 January 2006.

[2] See Albert Weale et al. (2002), Environmental Governance in Europe: An Ever Closer Ecological Union? (Oxford: Oxford University Press).

[3] See John Vogler (2005), “The European Contribution to Global Environmental Governance,” International Affairs, 81 (4): 835-845.

^[4] Gorm Dige (2005), “How Europe and the world interact – the demand for environmental resources,” Asia Europe Environment Forum Conference 2005 <> 12 January 2006.

^[5] Ibid.

[6] Asia-Europe Environment Forum Conference Secretariat (2005), “Workshop Concept - 1/3 of our Planet: What can Asia and Europe do for Sustainable Development?” Asia Europe Environment Forum 2005 <> 12 January 2006.

BLOGGERS, UNITE (FOR THE ENVIRONMENT)!

Bloggers band together to write on the environment
By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 02:33pm (Mla time) 08/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Bloggers around the world have been invited to join a mass blog effort for one day about one topic, starting with the environment.

"On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone's mind--the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future," the organizers behind the Blog Action Day announced on their blog.

At this writing, the call has attracted 1,358 blogs, the organizers said.

Top bloggers have already signed up first for this call to action, including Lifehack, Copyblogger, Get Rich Slowly, The Simple Dollar, Zen Habits, among others.

Organizers said there are three ways to take part: post an entry in one's blog relating to the environment on Blog Action Day; donate a day's earnings to an environmental charity; and promote Blog Action Day around the web.

The organizers said participating bloggers should post on an issue of their own choice pertaining to the environment. "For example, a blog about money might write about how to save around the home by using environmentally friendly ideas. Similarly a blog about politics might examine what weight environmental policy holds in the political arena," the organizers added.

Posts need not to have any specific agenda but should relate to the larger issue in whatever way suits the blogger and his or her readership, they said.

"Our aim is not to promote one particular viewpoint, only to push the issue to the table for discussion," they added.

The environment was selected as 2007's theme "both for the clarity of its importance and the undeniable urgency that issues like global warming and pollution have," the organizers said.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE U.P.-NCPAG

It seems that my PA 191 course on "Multilevel Environmental Governance" last 2nd semester AY 2006-2008 paid off. In that course, my students and I discussed global warming in the context of global environmental governance and International Environmental Law. We discussed at length the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, and the Clean Development Mechanism. Then, we zeroed in on how Jatropha curcas, a.k.a. Tuba-Tuba, could help reduce global warming. The materials about Tuba-Tuba came from my students' research at the Philippine Forest Corporation (thanks to its President, Mr. Jun Lozada, for the assistance), and from my another PA 191 ("Intro to Environmental Governance") course offered in an earlier semester.

I shared my collected data to an undergraduate student who went to China , together with two graduate students, to participate in an international competition (see First Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance). In fairness, they studied very well the materials and worked very hard to bag the "Most Valuable Project" award. It so happened that the final question in the competition was about how the youth could help reduce global warming. Below is a clipping about the winning of these students taken from the Boild Green Bananas column of Prof. Leonor "Liling" Magtolis Briones which appeared in the 31 July 2007 issue of Business Mirror:

Good news from the UP NCPAG

Three students from National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) honored their college and university when they were sent as delegates to the First Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance held in Fudan University in Shanghai, China, from July 10 to 14.

Diona Aquino, a graduate student, and undergraduates Paolo Ante and Ador Torneo were coached by NCPAG faculty member Dr. Ebbie Florano.

The team, headed by Aquino, won the Most Valuable Project Award. The NCPAG team was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program.

The competition involved 70 participants from 15 countries, including the United States, Germany and India. The topic of the contest was: How to create a global cooperative system to control greenhouse-gas emissions?

Congratulations are in order. Now to implement the proposed system….

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07312007/opinion02.html

"ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE" EXPLAINED

The following is an essay of my student in Public Administration 191: "Good Environmental Governance." I asked my students to discuss their understanding of my definition of "Environmental Governance." I find Mr. Marco delos Reyes' essay acceptable. As I promised in the class, I will post on my website the best essay (so far; but there are still missing elements).

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

Marco M. de los Reyes


This part will be restored once my students have submitted their essays.

FILIPINO INVENTION STOPS GLOBAL WARMING

Filipino invention stops global warming

Saturday, May 26 2007 @ 11:11 AM BST
http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070526111108758

Features

A Filipino invention may yet be the answer to stop global warming.

Roberto V. Celis, 74, said it took him 14 years to develop his invention called "Hydrogasifier" using water as supplemental fuel for all kinds of internal combustion engines that use gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid or bio-fuel, eliminating deadly pollutants from spreading into the atmosphere.

"It utilizes the hot exhaust gases from the engine to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases that are immediately introduced into the combustion chamber to completely burn the fuel," Celis said in an exclusive interview with the Philippines News Agency in his shop in Marikina City.

Celis said that when he perfected the development of the "Hydrogasifier" as an anti-pollution device, it turned out also as an engine enhancer, increasing power of the vehicle and at the same time cutting down fuel consumption.

"It was just marvelous and I was surprised to this unexpected bonus to my invention which would benefit the Filipinos and the whole world," he said.

"Fuel saved from gas or diesel is from 30 to 50 percent and that is a lot of savings," he added.

Using the "Hydrogasifier" would save the Philippines some US$ 2-billion of fuel annually, he said.

Celis said that carbon emission is near zero during a series of laboratory tests by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) "that makes this device a potential carbon eliminator to prevent global warming that's threatening man's health."

To prove his invention works perfectly, Celis installed the device to test its effectiveness in a Ceres Liner Bus, a Jeep Star Bus, and jeepney operated by Ryan Transport Services, all based in Bacolod City last March and came up with the following results: the 174 horsepower (Hp) of the Ceres Bus increased to 199 Hp, while emission from 9.6K down to 0.21K, cutting down emission by 94 percent;

The Jeep Star Bus from 137Hp to 144.83 Hp and from 9.9K to 2.29K or emission reduction by 76 percent; and

The Ryan jeepney from 83 Hp to 87 Hp and from 9.9K to 0.82K or a reduction by 90 percent of its emission.

A Pajero installed with "Hydrogasifier" saved fuel by 40 percent in city driving, and by as much as 87 percent in highway driving, Celis said.

He said a 1994 Toyoto Corolla car using the device saved fuel by 50 percent in highway driving and up to 30 percent in city driving.

"It is my humble contribution to the world in containing global warming which is threatening man's existence," Celis said.

"I do believe that my invention can contribute greatly in conserving energy and reduce global warming in response to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, wherein the World Bank will pay us US$ 20 per ton on carbon emission reduction," he said.

The 74-year old Filipino inventor said that the "Hydrogasifier" does not only save motor vehicle owners with lots of money due to less fuel consumption but also complies the Clean Air Act of 2003.

Celis also said that the success of his invention will "generate employment for our people and earn foreign exchange from exporting the device."

Job generation is one of the main concerns of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before she ends her term in 2010.

Celis appealed to the Philippine government to extend financial assistance in the filing of international patent "for this important invention to guarantee the Philippines of exclusivity in manufacturing this Filipino technology."

He said his invention can also be installed in factories to control pollution.

"The ultimate solution to stop global warming is now here in the Philippines," Celis said.

He said that vehicles using the device are like trees, which helps lower carbon emission in the environment, as these release only 6.5 percent to 7.6 percent oxygen from the tail pipe to make cities clean and healthful. (PNA)

-- This email has been scanned by the Balita server.

MY ASOER3 STORY: PROLOGUE

Finally, I already received copies (Executive Summary and the book in CD) of the Third ASEAN State of the Environment Report 2006 (ASOER 3) this month (May 2007) straight from the Environment Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat. I thought it was not going to be published anymore because I finished the initial drafts of its 12 chapters in March 2006. But I am going ahead of my story.

I was informed in April 2005 by the Environment Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat that they have considered me to write the draft of ASOER3. I was then attending the rehearsal for the graduation ceremonies of the university when I got the call. I was thrilled no end at the opportunity - not everybody is given the chance to write the state of environment of the region (Southeast Asia) which includes ten countries, namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam (I wrote the names of these countries in alphabetical order without thinking anymore after writing them many times during my stint at the Secretariat). I thought that the experience would help me broaden and deepen my experience on Environmental Governance, a field I am pioneering in my college.

Against the advice of colleagues at the university (I wouldn’t give details for everybody’s peace), off I went to Jakarta. The Secretariat provided me housing arrangement, etc. The staff were very friendly. However, once I got settled, the gravity of my task sunk to me.

I was told that the first two ASOERs were written and published under extremely difficult circumstances. I would not go into details but I was informed that the writers for the first ASOERs were not able to finish the drafts satisfactorily, i.e., incomplete or not good enough. Second, I learned that I am the only writer tasked to do the first drafts of the 12 chapters. The staff would only provide me the data and I have to do everything, i.e., writing, processing and analyzing data, constructing graphs, etc. I thought it was advantageous because I have complete control in writing ALL the chapters. However, as the deadline was approaching, I was assisted by an Indonesian staff, Ms. Endang Habsari. She helped me construct the graphs and encode texts.

I stayed in Jakarta for six months from May to November 2005. I was allowed to finish the remaining chapters in the Philippines because I had to start teaching again in my college in November. I am thankful to the Environment Unit for trusting me to finish the remaining chapters in the Philippines until February 2006.

Writing ASOER3 was extremely difficult but fulfilling for an academic like me. I had to stay late at night at the Secretariat sometimes up to 11 p.m. or work whole Saturday or half of Sunday to do my task. Luckily, my training as PhD student prepared me for the task. Back at the International Christian University in Tokyo, I had almost the same schedule (to write my voluminous dissertation). To keep myself from being bored, I regularly went to the gym and heard mass at a Catholic church in Jakarta every Sunday. It was also my 6-month stint in Jakarta that I learned that Indonesians and Filipinos are almost the same, culturally. In Jakarta, many Indonesians thought that I was one of them – in taxi, mall, gym, grocery, convenience store, bus, etc. I also made friends with lots of ASEAN Secretariat multi-cultural staff – Indonesians, Filipinos, Singaporeans, Malaysians, Cambodians, etc. I met high-ranking Filipino officials of the Secretariat like Deputy Secretary-General Wilfrido Villacorta. I was even invited to a Filipino gathering in his condo unit in Jakarta. My job also gave me the opportunity to attend an ASEAN meeting (the Task Force for the Preparation of ASOER3) in Penang, Malaysia where I had the chance to experience first hand mild haze (the topic of my dissertation) on air and on ground which flew all the way from Indonesia (must have followed me).

I enjoyed my stay in Jakarta tremendously while writing ASOER3. Wish I could write ASOER4 in 2008 or 2009.

THE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE

In the interest of academic freedom and fairness, this blog is introducing the recently-shown anti-global warming documentary entitled, "The Great Global Warming Swindle." The full video can be viewed at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4499562022478442170.

Readers are advised to read the feature story about it in Wikipedia to get neutral assessment of its contents and arguments. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle.

It is very unfortunate that the scientific community on global warming/climate change has been dichotomized into Epistemic Community A whose members believe that the global warming is man-made, and Epistemic Community B whose members believe otherwise. In Environmental Governance, policy/decision-makers rely on scientists for objective scientific information and advice to issue informed judgment and policies. With a divided scientific community, due to professional rivalry or politics, the world could find itself paralyzed to act on the climate change/global warming issue. Pure or unadulterated science is very relevant in Environmental Governance. Hence, scientists should not make themselves susceptible to political manipulation. Otherwise, we won't have objective and factual sources of environmental science information.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF UNEP 2007 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH SEC. BEBET GOZUN

Statement of ELISEA “BEBET” G. GOZUN
Recipient, UNEP 2007 Champion of the Earth Award for Asia and the Pacific
April 19, 2007, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL SINGAPORE

Source: http://www.unep.org/champions/Winners/winners2007/Statements/Asia-BebetGozun.pdf

Senior Minister Goh, Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Minister Yaakob Ibrahim and other officials of the Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Singapore Tourism Board, fellow awardees, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen, friends and partners in protecting the environment: “Isang maganda at makakalikasang gabi sa inyong lahat.” (An environmentally friendly good evening to you all!) I always start my speeches by talking in Pilipino whenever I speak before an international audience - if only to remind each one of us that the value of our participation here really depends on what we do when we go back to our respective countries.

I am deeply honored by this award and would like to thank the UNEP for this recognition. I generously share it with members of my family, my colleagues in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and my partners in the business sector and civil society. I am also humbled, as this award recognizes the sum, not only of my accomplishments, but of the extraordinary deeds of many other Filipinos. They will probably remain nameless and will not be recognized nationally, much less globally, but they have decided to take the problems of the environment in their own hands and do so by working together to become a formidable force for change.

Work hand in hand, we must - given the magnitude of the problems we face. Consider the fact that while the Philippines is one of the megadiverse countries in the world, with recent studies showing that we are the center of marine biodiversity, we are also among the hottest hotspots. We’ve lost over 50% of our forest cover with less that 1 million hectares of our virgin forests left. Only 5% of our coral reefs remain in excellent condition. Air quality in most of our urban centers now exceed WHO Guidelines. 15 of our rivers are considered biologically dead during the dry months. Solid waste continues to accumulate and pollute our waters, our air and our lands. Add to all that, the fact that over 30% of our people live below the poverty line. You
can appreciate the challenges we face.

I believe that localized, community-based, multi-sectoral action is the response. It is key to making a difference in our pursuit to save and rehabilitate the environment, no matter how big or small the environmental problem is. This stems from a realization that societies resemble ecosystems – that there is a useful purpose for all elements; that while we operate within some range of resilience, even ecosystems are vulnerable and, that there are times when destructive elements need to be transformed.

However, that transformation can only happen if we are able to win them on the side of the environment. And, to do that, they have to understand the issue and relate to it at a very personal level – how it affects their family’s health; how it threatens their livelihood; how it downgrades their quality of life. When people are empowered to participate, they comprise that collective social energy that fuels development work. But communities need the support of other sectors to help sustain their activities. Support from government and business allows communities to go the distance. A government whose re-invented role is that of an enabler, providing the policy environment to allow all other sectors of society to assume their roles in managing and protecting our natural capital. Businesses that have adopted their corporate social agenda and have realized that the foundations for sustaining their economic interests are a healthy environment and well-managed natural resource base; that good environmental management is good business and, that they are part and parcel of the communities within which they operate.

At this point, let me say that mobilizing communities and sectors with differing interests to act together is a challenge in itself. as in many instances, especially in developing countries in my region, the challenge to conserve the environment comes hand in hand with the challenge to overcome poverty. We cannot claim environmental championship and yet totally ignore the need to aggressively address poverty.

As an activist, evolving from a cause for social justice and democracy towards one of sustainable societies which encompasses the former and includes responsible stewardship for the environment, let me end with an appeal for all of us to help catalyze another synergy – of the environmental movement and the movement for poverty reduction and justice. The means to do both is currently in our hands, and the span of a generation is time enough to do it.

Again, my deepest thanks to the UNEP for this honor and my congratulations to my fellow winners.

LECTURE OF UNEP'S 2007 CHAMPION OF THE EARTH SEC. BEBET GOZUN

This is a news clipping of UNEP's 2007 Champion of the Earth Awardee Secretary Bebet Gozun lecture held on 15 March 2007 at U.P.-NCPAG organized by yours truly. See earlier posting.

DENR leadership self-assessed in NCPAG anniversary event

Bernice P. Varona

Source: http://www.up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?i=402&archive=yes&yr=2007&mn=4 On March 15, 2007, as part of the continuing public lecture series in celebration of the UP National College of Public Administration (NCPAG)’s 55th anniversary in June 2007, the NCPAG held a special lecture featuring the experiences of Eli-sea “Bebet” Gozun during her term as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Titled “Reflections on Environmental Leadership in the Philippines: Triumphs and Tribulations,” Secretary Gozun’s lecture tackled several pressing issues, such as illegal logging in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; deforestation in the Samar Island National Park; and even the unjust incarceration of one of DENR’s foresters. “You have to know the economic stand and the social side of the people. You need to address all of the issues in every decision you make,” Secretary Gozun said. She also indicated that incentive mechanisms and promotion systems for those in government service should be reviewed. Ensuring continuity in implementing programs, especially those dealing with sustainable development, is what she considers an important factor in conservation and protection efforts. “Environmental leadership is really a difficult balancing act. It’s not just the environment that we are looking out for, but also the social and economic aspect of that development,” said Secretary Gozun. “We cannot have long term economic development unless we protect the environment, and on the other hand the environment will really suffer if we do not have economic development.” She also stressed the importance of making the environment everyone’s concern: “Environmental protection and management is not really the role of the DENR. The only way we can move sustainable development is to make it every-one’s concern. But that cannot happen if we do not inform the people, if we do not bring the issue of the environment closer to the people.” Secretary Gozun is a recipient of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) “2007 Champions of the Earth” award for leadership in various World Bank projects, such as the establishment of the ECOWATCH program, an innovative public disclosure program about the environmental performance of key industries; and the “Brown Fund,” the first tripartite funding source for local urban environmental initiatives. The award recognizes prominent and inspirational environmental leaders from each region of the world. Another recipient is US Vice President Al Gore, who will be recognized by UNEP on April 19, 2007 in Singapore. Previous awardees include the King and people of Bhutan, South African President Thabo Mbeki, UAE Sheikh Zayad Bin, Sultan Al-Nahyan, Iran’s female Vice President Dr. Massoumeh Ebtekar, and former USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev for Green Cross International. “Secretary Gozun’s commitment to public service and her passion for the environment have given her the energy to overcome obstacles, establish believers, and create alliances,” said Dr. Alex Brillantes, Dean of the UP National College of Public Administration (NCPAG) during his welcome remarks. She has brought honor not only to the Philippines, but to the cause of environmental governance in general, said Dr. Brillantes.

Coming Soon

1. Third ASEAN State of the Environment Report 2006
2. Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI)

NCPAG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2007

This is not an EcoGov-related material. I would like to help my college call on its graduates to nominate outstanding alumni for the NCPAG Alumni Achievement Awards 2007. The deadline is 31 May 2007. The alumni homecoming and awarding ceremonies is 16 June 2007. Below are the details:

NCPAG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2007

The NCPAG Alumni Achievement Awards (NCPAG AAA) aims to recognize and honor NCPAG alumni who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers. Highlighting achievements of the alumni confirms the status of the NCPAG as a productive and effective training ground for leaders in the Philippines, Asia, and the rest of the world.

The NCPAG AAA is one of the major events to celebrate the 55^th Anniversary of the NCPAG in 2007. The awarding ceremonies will be held on 16 June 2007.

WHO MAY BE NOMINATED

Nomination to the NCPAG AAA is open to all alumni of NCPAG. This includes alumni of the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), the Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPA), and the College of Public Administration (CPA). An alumnus is a holder of an NCPAG academic degree, title or certificate, or a former NCPAG regular student who has earned at least 60 academic units for BAPA, or fifty percent of graduate unit requirements, and has not been dismissed for misconduct or scholastic deficiency. For purposes of the awards, NCPAG faculty members, past and present, shall be considered NCPAG alumni whether they earned a degree from the NCPAG or not.

WHO MAY NOMINATE

Any NCPAG alumni may nominate candidates for the NCPAG AAA.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Any NCPAG alumni who have not yet been previously awarded with any NCPAG AAA may be nominated for the following:

1. National Government Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service in the national government bureaucracy, GOCC, Congress, the Judiciary, Constitutional bodies, the AFP and PNP, or have been responsible for innovative practices and programs in the national government consistent with public service values such as accountability, transparency, commitment to democracy, etc.

2. Local Government Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service at the local level which includes provincial government, city government, municipal government, and barangay either as official or employee of the various local government executive units or sanggunian, or have been responsible for innovative practices and programs in the local government consistent with public service values such as accountability, transparency, commitment to democracy, etc.

3. Private Practice of Profession/Business

Nominees must have exhibited a high degree of success in the practice of their profession (e.g., engineering, medicine, architecture, etc.), or in the management of their business firms.

4. Civil Society Organization/Community Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service to the civil society organization he/she is affiliated with or to local community, to poor and disadvantaged sectors (e.g., children, handicapped, elderly, indigenous communities, etc.), or in areas where government or the private sector are unable to provide services.

5. Academic/Public Management Education

Nominees must have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and extension in the field of Public Administration and Governance.

6. International Organization Service

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service to international organizations, whether regional (e.g., ASEAN, ADB, UNESCAP, EU, etc.), or global (UN, UNICED, WTO, IMF, WB, etc.), which brought honor to the Philippines, and NCPAG.

7. Special Recognition Award

Graduates of NCPAG non-degree programs may quality for a special award. This award will be given to graduates of training programs/courses of not less than four weeks duration given by the NCPAG and its specialized centers – the Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED), the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG), the Center for Leadership, Citizenship, and Democracy (CLCD); and their forerunners like the Philippine Executive Academy (PEA).

Nominees must have rendered outstanding service, exhibited a high degree of success, or distinguished themselves in their respective professions or fields of endeavor, and thus, bring honor to NCPAG, the community, or the Philippines.

NOMINATION PROCESS

There is a Search Committee for the NCPAG AAA composed of faculty members and alumni which shall receive nomination, identify nominees, conduct preliminary screening, solicit supporting documents, and recommend awardees for the NCPAG AAA for the approval by the NCPAG faculty. Nominations for the NCPAG AAA must be accompanied by supporting documents, e.g., copies of citations/awards, publications, creative works, and other relevant information, and should be addressed to:

The Search Committee for the NCPAG AAA

c/o The Dean

National College of Public Administration and Governance

University of the Philippines

P.O. Box 198 U.P. Campus

Diliman, Quezon City 1101

Philippines

Deadline for nomination is 31 May 2007. To beat the nomination deadline, NCPAG alumni may send back-up copies of the nomination forms and documents via e-mail at abrillantes2001@yahoo.com, copy furnished jasmrey525@yahoo.com. However, it is important that the Search Committee for the NCPAG AAA receive seven hard copies/printouts of the nomination forms and documents (photocopies are acceptable) on or before 31 May 2007 or postmarked not later than the above date.

The nomination forms must be accompanied by the following documents (seven copies each):

• Recent 2 x 2 photo of the nominee (pasted in nomination forms)
• Most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Justification for Nomination (1-2 pages; signed by the nominator)
• Supporting documents (news clippings, citations/certificates, publications, etc.)

Nomination forms can be photocopied. It can be downloaded at www.upd.edu.ph/~ncpag/. Copies can also be obtained via e-mail from jasmrey525@yahoo.com.

Nomination with incomplete requirements/documents will not be considered.

DATES TO REMEMBER

• Submission of nomination – 31 May 2007
• Evaluation of nominees – 1-5 June 2007
• Approval by the NCPAG Faculty and announcement of results – 6-15 June 2007
• Awarding Ceremonies – 16 June 2007

No inquiries about the evaluation and results will be entertained during the evaluation and approval period.