CIFAL Jeju Workshop Series: Biodiversity in the Asia Pacific Region-Developing Local Government Capacities to Mitigate Climate Change and Conserve Biodiversity
Our food and energy security strongly depend on biodiversity and so does our vulnerability to natural hazards such as fires and floodings. Biodiversity loss has negative effects on our health, material wealth and it largely limits our freedom of choice. As all cultures gain inspiration from or attach spiritual and religous values to ecystems or their components – e.g. landscapes, trees, hills, rivers or particular species – biodiversity loss also strongly influences our social relations. Every decision we take that affects biodiversty, also affects our lives and the lives of other people. Biodiversity is crucial to human wellbeing, sustainable development and poverty reduction. (Global Biodiversity Outlook - United Nations, 2010)
Aiming at promoting awareness about the importance of biodiversity at the local level, this workshop will provide:
- An opportunity for local authorities to build capacities to mitigate climate change and conserve biodiversity
- A platform to exchange lessons learned and good practices in local and national efforts to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity
- A venue for city-to-city cooperation in implementing local action plans for biodiversity conservation
Upon completion of the workshop participants will be able to:
- Explain and summarize concepts of biological diversity, eco-efficiency, and related key topics related to the conservation and preservation of local biodiversity, especially as related to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- Compare and contrast various success stories and lessons learned in achieving conservation of local biodiversity and eco-efficiency at the local level
- Develop action plans to implement specific lessons learned and good practices
- Overview of climate change and biodiversity
- Government initiatives to support and implement biodiversity conservation strategies in the Asia-Pacific region
- Introduction of Ramsar Convention
- Good practices and key case studies in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
- UNEP IETC’s Eco-Towns methodology for waste management to protect biodiversity
Structure
- Presentations and Discussions
- Sharing Best Practices and Lessons Learned
- UNITAR CityShare Methodology (including action plan development)
- Site Visit
The Local Development Programme of UNITAR will use its CITYSHARE methodology during the workshop.
The CityShare methodology aims at optimizing peer learning between local officials. It consists of various processes of self-assessment, distillation and transmission of experiences and good practices. It is also composed of several tools which provide a common framework for the evaluation of experiences made by the participating cities and offer a common language for the exchange and assimilation of the experiences, as well as a roadmap for action and progress.
High-Level Authorities and Experts from Local Governments, Representatives from NGO and Community-Based Organizations, Academic Institutions, and other Local Actors within the Asia-Pacific Region.
Participation Requirements
Participants are required to attend and actively participate in all workshops, complete assignments and interact with resource persons, and complete pre-workshop readings/assignments and come with prepared questions.
Fluency in English, spoken and written.
Course Certificates
CIFAL Jeju and UNITAR will jointly issue a certificate to participants upon completion of the full program.
Participation and Sponsorship
- Self-sponsored (air fare and accommodation) participants are welcome
- 50% of air-fare will be sponsored for selected participants eligible for sponsorship.
- All local expenses (transportation, accommodation, etc.) are covered for selected participants eligible for sponsorship.
- Participants from Asia-Pacific Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
- Application form can be downloaded from www.cifaljeju.org
- Please send the application form, CV, case study description, letter of nomination and letter of commitment (attached to ‘application form’) by August 19 (Sun) 2012 to: cifaljeju.env [at] gmail.com (cifaljeju[dot]env[at]gmail[dot]com)
Note:
- Participation subject to approval of the application by CIFAL Jeju.
- Notification will be sent once the selection process has been finalized.
CIFAL Jeju is part of the UNITAR network of nine training centres for local governments and local actors across the globe known as The CIFAL Network. Founded in 2002, under the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and Local Agenda 21, the CIFAL Network focuses on demand-driven capacity development and training for local actors in various areas of sustainable municipal development. Each CIFAL is established through local and regional partnerships with key public, private and civil society institutions to build regional expertise in good practices for sustainable local development. Given Jeju Special Self-Governing Province's good practices in decentralisation, localising green growth, and peace and security, CIFAL Jeju specialises in training Asia-Pacific local authorities on topics of localising green growth and ensuring human security in an urban context. The CIFAL hosts over six trainings each year on these topics. For more information see: www.CIFALJeju.org