Watersheds and Responsible Governance Programme
22 September 2009 - 10:31pm — helene.lepkowski
WATERSCAPE
Watersheds and Responsible Governance
A COLLABORATION ON WATER & THE WATERWAYS OF LIFE
AIM
RESPONSE and Waterscape, in discussion with Ngati Raukawa representatives, are bringing together people with different interests in water from Aotearoa-NZ, and from the Pacific region. The 'assembly' will draw on diversity of cultural, historical, scientific, economic, technological and artistic ways of relating to and managing rivers and waterways, locally and globally. Knowledge about water will be shared, and based on an holistic understanding of rivers as veins of the earth's living ecosystems. The symposium is to contribute to integrative approaches for the health of waterways.
DATES
November 4 (evening) to 7th - (mid afternoon) at Tatum Park, Levin.
COSTS
Range from $350 to $170- or by negotiation. Costs are inclusive of accommodation, food and seminar fee.
BACKGROUND
Water is the medium for life on Earth, and rivers are collectors and distributors of life elements through the landscape. Healthy rivers are fundamental to the health of life on Earth. The condition of rivers is a potent and visible indicator of the health and productivity of the landscape. As highly responsive systems, they clearly reflect our lifestyle and its impacts on the natural environment.
This will be an opportunity to review local and international issues and work with global influences to build collective responsibility for waterways. Strategic planning for systems to safeguard regenerative water and health-giving rivers will be a focus for the seminar, with follow-up implementation plans. We hope to contribute to endeavours to redress the degeneration of waterways which is taking place locally and globally.
RESPONSE is associated with the FPH, a Foundation supporting initiatives for governance and environmental responsibility internationally, to build innovation in integrative systems, inter-sectoral collaboration, and interdisciplinary dialogue. In the Pacific context we are working with indigenous knowledge and interests in governance for holistic management of water ecosystems. 'Watersheds: Responsible Governance' will be part of a regional programme of interest in responsibility for the health of water ecosystems.
PROCESS
Our intention is to create dialogue and discussion on common concerns about water and waterways, and also to respect differences in world views. The proposed gathering for an anticipated 30 or so people, will include field visit to a river in the Otaki area. Analysis will include review of the catchment and extend to wider contexts in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and to the Pacific and include global considerations. Approaches for the seminar include:
- Contributions and material will be pre-circulated. Papers will be prepared in response to the 5 questions identified below. Participants will be invited to propose questions, or rise issues on the themes prior to the seminar.
- Film or DVD presentations will support global and local interests in water ecosystems and watersheds, including works and contributions from participants.
- There will be plenary planning to carry forward proposals and actions arising from the seminar.
Provisional Programme 14 September 2009
QUESTIONS
- What is responsible governance for holistic management of water eco-systems?
How can we have responsible governance, which sets strategies and policies for an holistic approach to the management of natural eco-systems? How would co-governance, in terms of Treaty partnership, work, and gives rise to more integrated watershed management, focused on the health and well-being of waterways? What does watershed management include: land and water uses, water quality, water allocation, protection from hazards, pollution, maintenance of natural character and waterway health and functionality? How do people and communities interact and collaborate within watershed-wide management? How are priorities set, and funding arranged - is it carrots & sticks?
- What institutional or cultural arrangements support the health of water and people?
How do we reconcile different values about water and rivers, or creatively manage difference perspectives? How do we creatively respond or adapt to change, such as climate change? What are the pros and cons of specialist advocacy organisations and multi-purpose management authorities? How does a bicultural or partnership approach work? What should be our relationship with water and rivers, and what would it mean for management and organisational arrangements?
- How do we measure or represent river health?
What is the natural character of a river, and to what 'state' would a river be managed to maintain or restore natural character? Are there measurable physical parameters (channel form), or biological, or do we need systems ecological measures? Are there other ways of representing the nature and health of waterways? How do values and priorities come into it, and who are the guardians of social values? What value does the river as a natural system have in itself?
- What are the implications of natural dynamics for management?
How do we understand river systems, with their multiple linkages and feedback responses? What are the implications of river variations in response to climatic oscillations and changes in riparian or watershed vegetation (forest/pasture), and of longer term changes in these drivers? What about cumulative effects over space & time? How do we manage cumulative effects and cross-boundary impacts? How does our urban-industrial way of life with its linear, uniform and 'no surprises' approach, interface with the dynamics of natural system?
- How does the RMA (and LGA) help or hinder holistic management?
What is the role of laws or Tikanga in managing waterways and watersheds? Is an effects-based approach most effective in promoting holistic management? Is it about preventing loss (below minimum bottom lines) or regeneration and enhancement? How does it protect rivers and maintain their natural character? Is there a place for zoning with designated uses and controls over wide areas? What type of management authorities should implement community resource management, and how do we incorporate cultural views and bicultural or multi-cultural decision-making?
FACILITATION
There will be a session for each question, and a plenary "where to from here" after the first two questions and then after the later three questions.
Each session will have a moderator, who will chair the session, and two or three facilitators. The facilitators will seed the discussions by presenting their thoughts or ideas, in whatever form they feel is appropriate. These presentations to generally take no more than a quarter of the time available.
Each facilitator will prepare some material beforehand for pre-circulation to all participants. Questions or comments will be solicited from participants before the workshop, and given to the session moderator. Following the initiating presentations, the moderator will ask the people who responded with questions or comments, to speak to them. The facilitators will have the first opportunity to reply, before an open discussion.
The moderator will manage the order in which participants are asked to speak to their questions or comments, and the following discussions. The aim is to draw on the knowledge and wisdom of the people present, and seek synergies from the diversity of viewpoints, understandings and cultural heritage.
The material prepared by the facilitators and any material offered by participants will be published (in a form to be determined) along with the findings and outcomes of the workshop.
CONTACTS
Gary Williams gary@waterscape.co.nz (06) 3626684
Betsan Martin betsan@response.org.nz 021 388 337
Provisional PROGRAMME (moderators to be confirmed)