Invitation to Join: Himalayan Voice – A Voice that cannot go unheard

Invitation to Join: Himalayan Voice – A Voice that cannot go unheard

Dear Change-makers, Dear Lovers of the Himalayas,

We are happy to share that the team of the Climate Himalaya Initiative, the Environment Professionals’ Group and the Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 (APYTF), together with media, youth and civil society groups from South Asia and China, is now starting a citizen journalism campaign - Himalayan Voice: Battle against institutional corruption in the Himalayas. To be formally launched in November 2013, the campaign is expected provoke discussion on transparency, human rights, indigenous rights and right to information in the sustainable mountain development sector, eventually promoting social auditing of government and other public institutions and form advocacy group in desired communities to ensure such bodies are economically efficient, environmentally responsible and socially accountable to the people. The campaign will have strong virtual presence along with some satellite networks at country level, largely led by young sustainability forerunners and backed by media professionals writing on sustainability and governance issues.

During the pre-planning study it is realized that every year billions of dollars is spent in Himalayan countries – Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan, without any concrete outputs. A large chunk of resources is utilized by multilateral organizations by themselves or through other intermediary international and national organizations, whose actual benefits never go to the local communities. Interestingly, many of such initiatives are neither registered with the governments nor properly followed-up by the donors. In our estimate about 80-90% of such resources are spent in staff salary, travel and administration of international agencies and big national NGOs and rest less than 10% is channeled further for the real work. Another layer of partners (national NGOs) further take big chunk of money away leaving less than 5% of the resource for the real work. Sadly, thus left 5% also dries away without any use due to poor governance system in the local communities and district level administrative units. Until a clear mechanism is developed to track all sustainability funds and spent through well institutionalized integrated sector driven and community led initiatives, sustainable development will never be achieved in the Himalayas. Himalayan Voice will attempt to voice these issues among donors, policy makers, and in the development communities in these countries.

To start with this, we are currently looking for list of journalists and advocacy groups who work against environmental corruption and environmental governance with footprint in ‘South Asia + China’ with global influence. If you know any of them, we appreciate your support in linking them with us or providing lists of relevant contacts or referring to the websites where anti-corruption contents can be populated without much editing. We will be covering sustainable development sector with a major focus on climate change and associated institutional mechanisms, governance and corruption. We aim to make aware the governments, civil society in the region as well their donors from the west about the nature and level of corruption, abuse of power and how that is triggering jeopardizing environmental issues in the Himalayan countries. 

For more information and to share relevant updates you can bring on board, out virtual platforms are:

Discussion Forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/environment-professionals

Exclusive ClimateDebates on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/CHIClimateDebates/

Network beyond Boundaries on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/171967553141/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/guardhimalayas

Get periodically Updated on our Blog: http://transforminghimalayas.blogspot.com/

Report your issue in public on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/againstclimatecorruption/

Report your issues privately at climatehimalaya@gmail.com and/ortransforminghimalayas@gmail.com. We ensure highest level of seclusion for the privately reported issues. Such stories will be published on our blog and disseminated to our audiences globally.

After combining all the platforms above, currently we are connected to around 10,000 stakeholders. Help us grow more, grow fast!!!

Sincerely,

Team Himalayan Voice

"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Training-Workshop on Iterative Risk Management for Climate Change Adaptation

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is organizing a five-day Training-Workshop on Iterative Risk Management for Climate Change Adaptation, from 22-26 April 2013 in Bangkok.

The training shall mentor participants in designing and implementing iterative and flexible risk management plans. It specifically helps them to understand the iterative risk management process in view of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in climate-related risks; and to establish ways to ensure continuous re-evaluation of their risk management plans, so that information is considered and incorporated at regular intervals.

This training is designed for different organizations and entities, and it is limited to 25 participants.

For more information, you can visit the webpage for this training course: http://www.rimes.int/em/?p=1159 or write an e-mail torimes@rimes.int.

National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Bangladesh in Rangamati District from 18-19 December 2012

ICIMOD and the Bangladesh Youth Forum together with the Green Hill and the Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio +20 organised a two-days long National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Bangladesh in Rangamati District from 18-19 December 2012. Organised in the framework of ICIMOD’s National Youth Forum initiative that aims to prepare youth from its member countries to take actions to promote green solutions in their countries, the event was attended by 40 youth from different parts of the country, majority of them coming from the hilly background. The two days meeting proved to be instrumental in bringing together central and local government, non-governmental organisations, local communities and youth to discuss on potential areas for development of green solutions in hilly areas of Bangladesh. 

Guests who attended the event included Mr. Md. Shamsuzzaman, Joint Secretary (administration), Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs; Mr. Md. Irfan Sharif, Chief Executive Officer, Rangamati Hill District Council; Mr. Moung Thowai Ching, Executive Director, Green Hill; Mr. Tek Jung Mahat, Project Manager, ICIMOD; Mrs. Nazia Shirin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Rangamati Sadar Upazila; Mr. Md. Mostafa Kamal, Deputy Commissioner, Rangamati Hill District; Ms. Marufa Ishaque, Programme Coordinator, Bangladesh Youth Forum; and Ms. Tuku Talukder, Chairperson, Green Hill among others. The programme contained technical sessions, world café for ideas development, field visit to nearby villages located in the Kaptai Lake area and community interaction. 

At the end of the Forum, the 40 participating youth prepared the National Youth Declaration on Green Solutions in Bangladesh, which will be guiding the youth activities in hilly areas of Bangladesh in coming days.

Bhutan hosted National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Thimpu from 14-16 December 2012

Aiming at preparing youth from its member countries to take actions to promote green actions, ICIMOD partnered with the Happy Green Cooperative, a youth organization based in Thimpu and the Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio +20 to organize three-days long National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Bhutan, 14-16 December 2012. Held at the Department of Youth and Sports, Thimpu, the forum was attended by over 40 youth from different parts of the country.

 

The opening sessions of the forum was inaugurated by honorable Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan. Dr. Gyamtsho acknowledged the efforts put in by ICIMOD to engage youth in the area of green solutions and also encouraged the youth participants to have open mind in discussing pertinent issues to make the best use of the event. The forum successfully brought together government officials, local green entrepreneurs and youth communities to discuss on potential areas of development of green solutions in Bhutan. Guests who attended the forum included Ms Kesang Tshomo, National Director, National Organic Program, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest; Mr Sonam Dargay, Sr. Planning officer, National Environment Commission; Mr Karma Yoenten, CEO and Founder, Greener Way Waste Management Organization; Mr Vishmal Rai, CEO and Innovator, Green Computing and Green Solutions; Mr Sangay Rinchen, CEO and Founder, Happy Green Cooperative; Ms Anja Moller Rasmussen, Programme Manager, Integrated Knowledge Management, ICIMOD among others. In addition to the technical sessions by experts, the forum also included lively interaction session with young entrepreneurs of Bhutan which provided the participants a platform to share and gain ideas. The participants also had a chance to visit a Druk Organic Farm run by Druk Organic Growers Cooperatives located in Toeb Menchhungna, Toeb Geog, Punakha District. Farm manager Mr Rinchen Dorji and Mr Hitoshi Yokota, Integrated Agriculturist and Organic Foods Consultant from Japan introduced the activities of the farm to the participants. Also, a knowledge café session run by ICIMOD team provided a technical means for the participants to brainstorm on the ideas and come up with the National Youth Declaration on Green Solutions in Bhutan.

National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in India in Rishikesh from 9-11 December 2012

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and the YUVA Foundation, together with Plant a Tree India, Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio +20 and SEED, organised a National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in India in Rishikesh from 9-11 December 2012. About 40 youth participants from seven mountain states of India – Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram - attended talks by various mountain experts, made presentations on issues facing their states, participated in team building and leadership activities, and explored their role in shaping the emerging green economy, culminating in the joint development of a youth declaration on green solutions focused on the Indian Himalayas.

Mr Shantanu Gupta, founder and director of the YUVA foundation, briefed the participants about the objectives and expected outputs of the NFYGS.  Mr Tek Jung Mahat elaborated on how he saw the saw the event fitting into ICIMOD’s Youth Programme in the post-Rio+20 context. Speakers from various institutes - Dr. Pyar Singh Negi  from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,Abdhesh Gangwar from Centre for Environmental Education-Himalaya, Mr. L.P Semwal  from Shri Jagdamba Samiti, Mr. Hemant Dhyani  from the Ganga Ahvaan Aandolan, Mr. Anil Jaggi  from the Green Earth Alliance and Ujol Sherchan from ICIMOD - spoke on a range of topics such as:

• impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems,;
• need to change consumption habits to reduce carbon footprint and work in areas of mitigation to increase handprint;
• challenges facing mountain agriculture due to climate change and the need to work toward the sustainability of crops through various adaptation and mitigation measures;
• pollution of the Ganges river: issues, challenges and solutions;
• importance of corporate social responsibility, and its implications;
• linkage between the sustainable mountain development agenda and the movement toward a greener economy 

§

An Academy award winning movie, The Inconvenient Truth, was screened to initiate a discussion on how the youth participants conceived of climate change issues facing their states.  A leadership and team building exercise developed around a ‘bridge building contest: longest, strongest and most beautiful” brought out the creativity of the youngsters, and at the same time made them work as a team. The final outcome was evaluated on a few criteria, including leadership potential of team members, after which a winner was declared.

 

However, the main highlight of the event was presentations by youth participants on “Role of youth in the emerging Green Economy to address climate change challenges and opportunities facing the Indian Himalayas”.  All the presentations were followed by aWorld Café session on the ‘Identification and prioritization of climate change and adaptation related challenges and issues in the context of of the Indian Himalayas from a youth perspective‟. 

A SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of five key stakeholders with stakes in the climate change development, - namely the government, community, youth, corporate sector and academia – was conducted and discussed in groups and later presented at a plenary. This activity proved to be extremely helpful in the development of a youth declaration on green economy.

 

On the last day, a field trip to the river Ganges along the Rajaji National Park was led by by Dr. K. K. Upreti. A stop was made at the village where the participants got the opportunity to interact with the villagers that had led a participatory 37-day hunger strike to achieve their right to access various government services and amenities, which subsequently made an enormous difference in their lives. 

Coincided with the International Mountain Day on 11 December, the event concluded finalizing the youth declaration on green solutions in India, which will be guiding the youth activities in across the Indian Himalayas. The event generated wide interest among the youth and media communities in India and beyond.

National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Nepal held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 6–8 December 2012

The National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Nepal was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 6–8 December 2012. Managed under the Youth for Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD) initiative of ICIMOD, the forum was organized through ICIMOD Youth Ambassadors led local NGO the Safe Environment Nepal – Youth 4 Conservation (SEN Y4C) in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio +20 and the Eco-Friends Nepal (EFN) and in participation of several ICIMOD trained youth in Nepal. The event saw participation from over 40 youth from different districts of Nepal, who were selected through a rigorous application process while maintaining a balance with respect to geography, gender and age.

The three-days long forum offered platform to Nepalese youth to understand theoretical concepts and underlying practical issues related to green economy in Nepal and other mountainous countries, discuss on possibilities of developing environmental entrepreneurship building on them, expand network of with like minded people and get to know about the institutional mechanisms and structure that can help them in the process. In his keynote address Dr Golam Rasul, Programme Manager and Green Economy expert at ICIMOD elucidated the importance of green economy in the mountainous countries, where he emphasized on need of establishing a strong link between water, food and energy. During the forum, participants interacted with several notable scientists and green entrepreneurs, and were briefed on vermicomposting, ecotourism projects among others. Through group exercises, participants also presented their vision for a cleaner country post 2015. The forum culminated with the participants attending the ICIMOD’s Green Solutions Fair at the ICIMOD Knowledge Park at Godavari where they had opportunities to visit market place enriched with participation of several Kathmandu based I/NGOs and environmental entrepreneurs.

Three five posters were awarred including cash prize to winning three. Prizma Ghimire, Nirmal Jnawali, Kanchan Upadhyay, Laxman Kande and Prachan Bhujel respectively were the top 5 entrants to the poster competition). The award was given to them by Dr. David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD.

Appeal: Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions, 1 December 2012 in Doha, UNFCCC COP18

The Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions concluded with a “Global Youth Appeal for COP18”. The delegation comprised of over twenty delegates from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific. The Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions took place at the Climate Change Studio, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) Doha during UNFCCC COP18 on 1 st December, 2012.

The youth delegates presented the youth appeal, declaration, views and concerns of the youth of their regions, and appealed to the world leaders and COP18 delegates to take into consideration the voices of the youth as the decisions taken today will affect them in future, and the future belongs to them so it is time to Act Now.

Global youth appeal to the world leaders and COP18 delegates that;

“We, the Global Youth, demand urgent and efficient action in the United Nations Climate Change conference, COP18/CMP 8. Youth must be provided due space in the UNFCCC process, and there is a need for youth empowerment through capacity building, opportunities, and building grassroots movements. Cultural events are a vital medium for passing messages, promoting climate change awareness and activism to reach the local communities by removing the language barriers. Youth needs to be trained to become climate change ambassadors by promoting environmental awareness.

The world is vulnerable to climate change; there is a dire need for promoting green entrepreneurship, sustainable energy (renewable energy solutions) usage, low carbon economy, and collaboration amongst youth. Efforts for climate change adaptation should be at par with mitigation efforts as the global south cannot afford mitigation measures.

The COP18 message should reach out vulnerable communities through all available means including social media and more traditional forms of communication”.

for more info, pls contact Ms. Sameera Zaib, event coordinator at sameerazaib.env@gmail.com.

National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Pakistan at NUST Islamabad from 5-6 November 2012

The National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Pakistan was at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Pakistan from 5–6 November 2012. Under ICIMOD’s Youth for Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD) initiative, the  event was organized by the  Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio +20 (APYTF) with support from the Peace & Development Organization (PDO) and a network of ICIMOD trained youth forum alumni in Pakistan. The event saw participation of some 40 youth from all provinces of Pakistan, who were selected through a rigorous application process while maintaining a balance with respect to geography, gender and age.

The two day forum provided a local forum for Pakistani youth for interaction and networking while helping them identify locale specific green economy initiatives. The forum oversaw keynote addresses by notable scientists, plenary discussions, group exercises and field visits to sites with a focus on sustainability and green solutions suitable for mountain communities.

Dr Abdul Wahid Jasra, Country Representative for Pakistan provided inputs on how youth can benefit from the various endeavors currently underway at ICIMOD and in Pakistan in particular. Dr Jawad Ali Khan, DG. Environment & Climate Change, provided the keynote address and the Minister for State- Ministry of Education & Training, Mr Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf graced the closing ceremony of the event Other notable resource persons included Mr Pirzada Moshibber, Director, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Mr Ashiq Ahmad khan, Technical Advisor ICIMOD Pakistan and Dr. Wajid Pirzada, CEO Agricol Pakistan among others. Furthermore Mr Tek Jung Mahat of ICIMOD led various sessions at the forum providing an overview of youth activities currently being undertaken at ICIMOD and future opportunities for youth from the region. Mr Utsav Maden shared an overview of social media tools that are being used for advocacy, information sharing and collaboration.

The National Youth Forum also saw the development of two important outcome documents - the Post 2015 agenda - Poverty Literacy & Environment Sustainability and the Youth Appeal for COP18. These documents, drafted though group work and further refined post forum virtually, also formed the agenda of the Global Youth Forum on Green Solutions organized by the APYTF in Doha as part of the UNFCCC COP 18/CMP8 event in Doha. The Global Youth Appeal for COP18, thus generated was further fine-tuned and shared with policy makers and delegates at COP18.

Interesting opportunity: Apply for Global Power Shift with 350.org by 4th January 2013

Hello,

I’m writing to let you know about Global PowerShift, an international gathering that will take place in Istanbul, Turkey from June 10-17, 2013. This gathering will bring together 600 young organizers from around the world to skill share, trade tactics and connect on how we will be the generation that turns the tide on the climate crisis. Organizers who attend Global PowerShift will then return to their own countries and help to organize a regional gathering, developing regional campaigns, goals, actions and networks. As co2 levels and sea levels rise exponentially - so must our movement.

We know that the ecological crisis is merely a symptom of an unjust system and unsustainable culture. To accomplish the deep systemic change needed to avert complete catastrophe we will need to bring together a wide diversity of movements and thus we strongly encourage young organizers from a diverse backgrounds and struggles to apply. You can apply here, and please share this email with anyone you think might bring unique skills to this historic gathering. Application deadline is December 16th, and all expenses will be covered for participants.
______

Hola,

Te escribo para compartir información sobre Global Powershift, un encuentro y conferencia internacional que pasará en en Estambul (Turquía) el 10-17 de Junio. En este conferencia se juntaran unos 600 activistas joven de todo el mundo para compartir ideas, tácticas y conocerse en cómo podemos ser el generación que da la vuelta al cambio climático. Organizadores que participan en Global PowerShift después se volverán a sus comunidades y organizarán encuentros regionales, desarrollando campañas, objetivos comunes, y acciones. Los niveles de co2 y los niveles del mar están creciendo exponencialmente. Nosotros también.

Sabemos que el crisis es solo una síntoma de una sistema injusto y una cultura insostenible. Para llegar a los profundos cambios sistemáticos que son necesarios para prevenir un catástrofe inimaginable necesitaremos participantes de un gran diversidad de movimientos y luchas, no sólo de movimientos ecológicas. Manda tu solicitude aquí, o por favor comparta el página de ArtShift por tus redes y con los que piensas tendrá interes. La fecha límite es el 16 Diciembre, 2012, y todos gastos incluidos.
___

Salut!

Je vous écris pour vous informer sur Global PowerShift, une rencontre internationale qui se tiendra à Istanbul, en Turquie, 10-17 Juin 2013. Cette rencontre réunira 600 jeunes organisateurs du monde entier pour partager les compétences, tactiques et pour discuter sur la façon dont nous allons être la génération qui tournera la marée sur la crise climatique. Les participants à Global PowerShift retourneront ensuite dans leurs pays et lanceront une réunion locale, pour développer des campagnes des objectifs, des actions et des réseaux régionales. Comme les niveaux de CO2 et des niveaux de la mer augmente de façon exponentielle - il doit en être de notre mouvement!

Nous savons que la crise écologique n'est qu'un symptôme d'un système injuste et d'une culture non durable. Pour réaliser le profond changement systémique nécessaire pour éviter une catastrophe complète, nous aurons besoin de rassembler une grande diversité de mouvements et donc nous encourageons fortement les jeunes organisateurs des horizons et des luttes divers. Vous pouvez vous inscrire ici, et partager ce message avec quelqu'un que vous pensez pouvoir apporter des compétences uniques pour cette rencontre historique. La date limite d'inscription est 16 Décembre et tous les frais seront couverts pour les participants.

SAVE THE DATE Fourteenth Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14) preceding the 27th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC27/GMEF). 16-17 February 2013, Nairobi, Kenya

SAVE THE DATE

Fourteenth Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14) preceding the 27th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC27/GMEF)

16-17 February 2013, Nairobi, Kenya

In conjunction with its upcoming twenty-seventh session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) to be held from 18th - 22nd February 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP is organizing the fourteenth Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14) from 16th -17th February 2013 in Nairobi.
The objective of the Forum will be to facilitate preparations of major groups and stakeholders towards the GC27/GMEF which will hold ministerial-level consultations on emerging policy issues under the following themes: “Implementing Rio+20: A strengthened environmental pillar of sustainable development”, and “Implementing a green economy as an important tool for achieving sustainable development”. Among other issues, the Forum will provide an opportunity for a multi-stakeholders dialogue, as part of the implementation of the Rio+20 Outcome document, on new models and mechanisms to promote transparency and effective engagement of civil society in the work of UNEP; the role and opportunities for involvement of civil society in the post-Rio+20 processes and the post-2015 development agenda.
Registration is now open for all interested representatives of major groups and stakeholders of civil society at: http://www.unep.org/cso-sgb3/Login.aspx.
Please note that registration will close on 15th January 2013!
Kindly also note that organizations which are not accredited to UNEP will be requested to apply for one-time accreditation upon registration. The deadline for processing one time accreditations is 20 of January 2013.
For regular updates regarding the background and preparations towards the 14th GMGSF please visit: http://www.unep.org/civil-society/
For more information please contact us at: civil.society@unep.org.
Kind regards,
Alexander Juras
Chief, Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
P.O. 30552 Nairobi, Kenya
http://www.unep.org/civil_society/

If your organisation is engaged in the work of UNEP, please register its profile at  http://www.unep.org/cso-sgb3/Register.aspx

International Symposium on Society & Resource Management (ISSRM): Call for Abstracts and Student Paper Competition

Call for Abstracts

International Symposium on Society & Resource Management

Estes Park, Colorado, USA

June 4-8, 2013

A Time for Integration

We invite you to submit abstracts for the upcoming International Symposium on Society and Resource Management in Estes Park, Colorado, USA , June 4-8, 2013. ISSRM is the premier scientific meeting for academic and government researchers, students, agency scientists, land managers, NGO representatives, and others who are broadly interested in the human dimensions of natural resource management issues. We welcome participation from around the world. In addition to a diverse array of paper, panel, and poster sessions, the program includes the 6th Annual Student Forum on June 4th and fantastic keynote and featured speakers though out the week. We hope you will join us in the spectacular Estes Valley surrounded by the majestic peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park for what promises to be an outstanding conference!

Please submit abstracts to present an individual paper, poster, or to lead an organized session. More information about the symposium and online submission of abstracts can be found at http://www.issrm2013.iasnr.org. Additional inquiries should be directed to conference@warnercnr.colostate.edu. 

Abstract submission deadline for an individual paper, poster, or organized session is February 4th 2013

Attention Students: Consider Entering the Student Paper Competition

Doctoral, Master’s, and undergraduate students are invited to submit a paper for consideration in the “Best Student Paper Awards” to be presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (ISSRM) in Estes Park, Colorado. The author of the best paper written by a Ph.D. student, and the author of the best paper written by a Master’s or undergraduate student, will win cash awards. For competition details see website at: http://www.issrm2013.iasnr.org/?page_id=1270

Call for your contribution : Assessment of the climate change adaptation needs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region

Dear Colleagues,

Please find below a call for contribution to an online (and offline) survey on ‘climate change adaptation needs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Region’ organised in support of the Mountain Thematic Node of the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN). If you have any questions or suggestions, pls write to Mr. Ngamindra Dahal, Lead Researcher at ngamindra@gmail.com.

Your response to this survey by 15 December 2012 would be very much appreciated. To make your contributions  pls copy the survey portion below in your email or Word file, answer them as needed and send the completed from to Mr. Dahal.

Best,

Tek

Online survey on climate change adaptation needs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Region

Questionnaires for online survey

 About the Survey

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is among the highly vulnerable region to climate change impacts. The HKH ecosystems support the livelihoods of more people than any other coherent ecosystem in the world. The NAPA reports of HKH countries depict a dismal situation of majority of the populations who are highly vulnerable to climate change induced maladies requiring urgent and immediate needs of adaptation actions. Prioritising adaptation needs is critically important when climate change impacts encompass across themes and regions threatening livelihoods sources of large mass of populations.

The key objective of this survey is to contribute in identifying most vulnerable sectors, regions or communities to climate change, and, then, assessing their urgent adaptation needs. Your precious 20 minutes time to fill up this survey form would immensely help us to draw some key insights and recommendations for future investments of climate funds.  

To respond, simply click the 'Reply all' and write your responses against each questions below.

Section 1:   Informant background

1.1.   Name: First and last (not mandatory but encouraged)

1.2.   Country:

1.3.   State/City/District

1.5.   E-mail ID: .... (if you like to be contacted in future or want to know the survey results)

1.6.   Contact no: .... (if you like to be contacted in future or want to know the survey results)

1.7.   What do you represent? 1. Community, 2. Government, 3. Development Organisation,  4. Research/Education Organisations; 5. Other (please specify)            

Sections 2: Climate Change Impacts/perceptions:

2.1.   Do you agree that people living in the mountain regions or their periphery are among the most vulnerable one to climate change impacts? (Please Delete which is not applicable)

1. Agree       2. Can't say        3. Disagree  

2.2. Do you agree that specific needs of climate change adaptation of mountain people have not been well identified (articulated) and addressed? (Please Delete which is not applicable)

Agree 1.       Can't say 2.       Disagree 3.

2.3. From the perspective of currently known climate change risks, what would be the situation of mountain people in the mountain region after 10 or 15 years from now?
(Please Delete which is not applicable)

1. Better    2. Same    3.Worse

2.4 . Most of climate change scenarios project the mountains among the most affected regions due to rapid warming and changes in precipitation patterns in the future. Do you agree? (Please Delete which is not applicable)

1. Agree          2. Can't say                 3. Disagree

2.5. What is the level of satisfaction among the community you represent of current progress on addressing climate risks? (Please Delete which is not applicable)

1. Fully Satisfied          2. Satisfied to some extent                 3. Not satisfied at all 

Section 3:   Adaptation Needs

3.1.   Based on your experiences/observations, please mention up to 3 examples of climate change adaptation needs, gaps or issues concerning to mountain people that require urgent attentions.

 1......

2......

3......

3.2.   To tackle climate risks and build resilience, what should be the roles (maximum 3) of regional organizations (e.g. SAARC, ICIMOD), local institutions and national governmental organisations to improve the situation?

1 Roles of regional organizations

i)                    .........      

ii)                  .........

iii)                .........

2 Roles of local institutions 

i) .....      

ii).........

iiii).......

3. Roles of national government organizations

i) .....      

ii) ........

iiii) .......

3.3.  What should be the strategic actions or approaches to identify and address specific needs of mountain communities?

1......

2......

3......

Section 4: Knowledge sharing and good practices

4.1   In your knowledge, are there any examples of good practices of climate change adaptations that could be replicated in the mountain region?

(Please name them below with references or links where possible).

1........

2........

3.......

4.2   What is the appropriate way for promoting South-South knowledge sharing and cooperation on climate cooperation?

1.      Promote sharing of knowledge, good practices, collaborative actions etc.

2.      Recognize roles of regional organizations for promoting research and disseminate knowledge to wider stakeholders

3.      Mobilize NGOs, civil society organizations

4.      Other (Please specify)....

4.3  What roles of regional platforms, like SAARC and ICIMOD, should play to address climate and environment management challenges?

(Example – Environmental policies, scientific research, knowledge productions, knowledge disseminations etc.)

1.      The major roles could be .........

2        I have no knowledge on this.

4.4   What are the possible action points for addressing specific knowledge gaps, enhancing research and cooperation; and, promoting good practices?

1.      The possible action points could be .........

2.      I have no knowledge on this.

Section 5: Converting knowledge into action

5.1 What are the major constraints of local communities to assimilate new knowledge into climate change adaptation practices?

1.      The major constraints include

2.      I  have no comment on this.

5.2 What are the possible ways to enhance communication and cooperation between local communities and research institutions for mutual benefits?

1.      The possible ways are .........

2.      No. I have no comment on this.

5.3             Among mountain people, what could be the best investments to climate vulnerable communities or regions to enhance their adaptive capacity mountain people?

1.      The possible investments schemes include .........

2.      No. I have no comments this.

5.4              Which types of institutions and approaches could facilitate knowledge transfer processes more effectively?

 

1.      Academic institutions (Universities)

2.      Regional Environment, Policy and Research Organizations (e.g. ICIMOD)

3.      Collaborative approaches of research and academic institutions in partnership with media.

4.      Others (please mention)

Section 6: Responding to international climate policy negotiations 

6.1 What roles can mountain concern institutions play to lead agendas in the international climate policy negotiations?

1.      Yes. They can/should .........

2.      I have no information/comment on this.

6.2       What type of group do you think would be the appropriate platform for raising mountain agendas (considering examples of the LDC Group, G 77 plus China)

1.      There is a need of separate mountain group to advocate mountain agendas of developing countries

2.      Mountain agendas should be mainstreamed into the agendas of existing groups

3.      Efforts are needed to push mountain agendas by both of 1 and 2 approaches.

Thank you for your cooperation