Analyzing the Coral Triangle Initiative Policy Process: A Trans-disciplinary Approach

Transcription

1 Research plan Synopsis: Analyzing the Coral Triangle Initiative Policy Process: A Trans-disciplinary Approach By: Abdul Halim Summary The President of Indonesia at that time, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, realized the alarming degradation of coastal and marine biodiversity including fisheries in Indonesia and the Coral Triangle (CT) region and that millions of people depend on these resources for their livelihood and food security. In order to comprehensively cope with this threat, he realized the need to collaborate with other CT countries considering the resources (e.g. fisheries) and their threats are often trans-boundary in nature. The President proposed a solution by announcing the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) that was adopted by the heads of the six CT countries in May 2009 in Manado, Indonesia. I have been intimately involved in the behind the scenes process for CTI CFF policy development since the beginning of the development of the CTI-CFF. My participation to support the establishment of this initiative has been through a non-government organization (NGO), The Nature Conservancy. The CTI CFF has now been more than five (5) years since its adoption. I have observed common wide-ranging perceptions especially from stakeholders in Indonesia, including government officials, community groups and environmental NGOs, that the initiative is about coral reef conservation including creation and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and not so much of fisheries management efforts. With this proposal, I d like to investigate factors that influence the perceptions of the above stakeholders and triangulate these with the actual CTI CFF-related programs on the ground within the selected three (3) CT countries. I d also like to further research and recommends on ways to advance the fisheries management matters within the CTI CFF based on the study findings. This research will provide me with an opportunity to take a step back as a practitioner and begin to reflect on and analyze the political process leading toward the establishment of the CTI CFF. I will use a trans-disciplinary approach, mainly the innovation adoption theory (Rogers, 2003), the policy analysis cycle (modified from Lewin and Lewin, 2003) and the policy analysis framework (modified from Walt and Gilson, 1994) to understand the policy process in more concrete terms. Being part of that important policy process for leading to the sustainability and health of our biodiversity, I have come to realize to what extent this process has been taking place on a razor s edge, so to speak. Key personalities and their understanding of the policy issues of concern have helped determine the success or failure of the initiative, which from a larger perspective are important for nations in the entire CT region as well as world-wide. These actors observations should be analyzed using a rigorous social and political science framework, then triangulated with ex post qualitative key informant interviews and with a larger N-study, testing the drivers revealed with the help of the previous analysis. Such an endeavor is a step forward in trans- Page 1 of 6

2 disciplinary science, necessary for understanding and solving crucial problems of the earth system where society and science have to work hand in hand. As a practitioner, who has lived through this process, but now with the opportunity to join an academic environment, where discussion, reflection and exchanges are possible, I will be able to: 1. Provide substantial understanding of the policy cycle leading toward the Coral Triangle Initiative establishment, 2. Provide recommendations to CTI CFF secretariat and CT countries on ways to advance fisheries management issues within this initiative, 3. Contribute to advance trans-disciplinary science approach, and 4. Help translate the outcome to be of mutual benefit for science and practitioners alike. Introduction The CTI CFF was first announced by the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in March 2006 at the eighth Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP- 8 CBD) in Curitiba, Brazil. In his speech, the President stated his intention to formalize collaboration with Malaysia, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Federal States of Micronesia to protect mega coral diversity of global significance in the region. Later along the CTI CFF development process, it was agreed upon that the member of the CT countries are defined by the coral triangle scientific boundaries based on the findings of more than 500 coral reef building species in the waters of a country. The CT countries include: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea. In August, 2007 the President wrote letters to the heads of the other five CT countries as well as the USA and Australia as CT partners seeking their support to launch the CTI-CFF. In September 2007 at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders meeting in Sydney, this initiative was welcomed by the APEC Leaders in their Leaders Declaration. The President of Indonesia then led the first formal CTI-CFF gathering in Bali, December 2007 in the margin of the COP-13 to the UN Convention on Climate Change. The role of NGOs was critical as supportive actors behind the scenes for all the CTI CFF policy processes. As a person who has been intimately involved from the inception to the birth of the CTI-CFF participated in by several NGOs, seeing the heads of the six Coral Triangle (CT) countries at their first CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia, in May 2009 was a dream come true. The feeling of pride and satisfaction became more superlative when the CT country leaders announced their adoption of the CTI-CFF and their commitment to make it a success. This was a landmark of the highest political achievement by the six Coral Triangle (CT) countries and an example of a once in a lifetime initiative for conservation and sustainable development of the coastal and ocean biological resources in this region. During the tenth CTI Senior Official Meeting (10 th CTI SOM) held in Dili, Timor Leste, November 2014, it was confirmed that the CTI CFF agreement Page 2 of 6

3 has entered into force and the first CTI CFF Executive Director was appointed. With these, the CTI CFF secretariat has become a permanent institution. At the same time, Regional and CT countries respective Plans of Action for CTI CFF were produced to interpret the CT country leaders political intention of CTI CFF into actual programs on the ground. There are five (5) goals described in the plan which are: (1) Priority seascapes designated and effectively managed, (2) Ecosystem approach to management of fisheries (EAFM) and other marine resources fully applied, (3) Marine protected areas (MPAs) established and effectively managed, (4) Climate change adaptation measures achieved, and (5) Threatened species status improving. Although the above five goals are all equally important, as stated earlier, the CTI CFF has been commonly perceived as coral reef conservation initiative (i.e. Marine Protected Areas). It is therefore critical to understand why MPA stands out strongly compared to other goals and find ways to promote the other goals, including fisheries management into the attentions of stakeholders. Research Aims This research will focus on the following: 1. Analyzing and documenting the policy processes of the CTI-CFF since its inception by a conservation policy practitioner, who has been a participant observer since the inception of the CTI-CFF using the scientific lenses of innovation adoption theories and policy analysis cycles. 2. Synthesizing the predominant factors affecting acceptance of the CTI-CFF as a regional (multi-country) coastal and marine initiative. 3. Synthesizing the predominant factors affecting perceptions of stakeholders on CTI CFF as coral reef conservation initiative. 4. Contributing to the advancement of knowledge on the use of and effectiveness of the transdisciplinary approach of research to improve the understanding and problem solving on crucial problems of the global system where society and science have to work hand in hand. 5. Generating at least 2 peer reviewed publications that describe the results of what is learned regarding the CTI-CFF and the factors affecting its acceptance as a multi-country initiative, and what is learned about the effectiveness of and how to refine a trans-disciplinary approach to policy process analysis. Research Methods Policy analysis framework An interdisciplinary science approach is proposed to analyze and document the CTI-CFF policy adoption processes combining inter-linkages among innovation adoption theories (Rogers, 2003) with the policy analysis cycle (modified from Lewin and Lewin, 2003) and policy analysis framework (modified from Walt and Gilson, 1994) as described in Fig. 1 and 2 below. This Page 3 of 6

4 analysis framework will be further enhanced throughout my enrollment for a doctorate program at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) in close association with the supervisors. 3. Persuasion: 1. Prior conditions 2. Knowledge a. Relative advantage b. Compatibility c. Complexity d. Trialability e. Observability 4. Decision 5. Implementati on 6. Confirmati on Figure 1: Attributes used to analyze CTI policy adoption process (Rogers, 2003) Important factors to understand the public policy making processes include: actors, policy content, policy context and policy process. This policy analysis framework will help to guide the analysis to describe the policy adoption in a step-by-step process involving policy actors in each of the steps. Data collection method Data and information will be collected through means of: (a) individual reflection, which in this case is my-own as one of the relevant actors, (b) consultation with selected individuals and experts, (c) literature review, and (d) standardized questionnaires. This data will be collected mainly through interviews and on-line survey from individual stakeholders representing the tobe selected CT countries (see Fig.3), CTI- CFF partners (such as The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, Australian and USA governments, and the Asian Development Bank), CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat in Indonesia and experts from academia. Data reliability and validity A. Analyze problems: 1. Prior conditions 2. Knowledge B. Assess and select policy options: 3. Persuasion C. Adopt and implement policy: 4. Decision 5. Implement The reliability and validity of data collected are obviously important to determine the accuracy and precision of research measurement (Babbie, 2010). Doing such an analysis by an actor, who was involved in the process brings both opportunities and risks. The personal involvement provides deeps data sources, which cannot D. Evaluate: 6. Confirmation Figure 2: Policy analysis framework and its linkages with adoption process and attributes (modified from Walt and Gilson, 1994) Page 4 of 6

5 be accessed by a person, who was not part of the process. Also the access to key informants of the process could not be secured in a better way. On the other hand the active engagement in the process brings the possibility of subjective bias, which might cause problems in terms of reliability and validity of the data. The following actions will countervail this problem: Awareness towards this problem and the explicit intention to understand the problem in terms of a positive understanding of science. Subjective perspective of scientists is always an issue particularly in the social science, making their own background and perspective transparent helps to ease the problem. Moving out of the NGOs institution and enrolling at a university and being subjected to questions from and explanation for other scientists. Data triangulation (see data sources a-d above) Data Analysis Basic qualitative and descriptive analysis will mostly be used to analyze data and information collected. To analytically understand this qualitative data, they will be triangulated with the help of questionnaires and standardized analysis methods. Figure 3. The Coral Triangle Scientific and Implementation area Boundaries Bibliography Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research (12th Edition). Wadsworth. Briggs, J. C The marine East Indies: diversity and speciation. Journal of Biogeography, 32: Brown, K Integrating conservation and development: a case of institutional misfit. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 1: Burke, L., K. Reytar, M. Spalding, A. Perry Reefs at Risk Revisited in the Coral Triangle. World Resources Institute. 86p. Carpenter, K.E., P.H. Barber, E.D. Crandall, M.C.A. Ablan-Lagman, Ambariyanto, G.N. Mahardika, B.B. Manjaji-Matsumoto, M.A. Juinio-Menez, M.D. Santos, C.J. Starger, A.H.A.Toha Comparative phylogeography of the coral triangle and implications for marine management. Journal of Marine Biology, Christie, P., R. Pollnac, T. Stevenson, D. Pietri Learning Project Final Report: Lessons Learned from the US Coral Triangle Initiative Support Program. 73p. Page 5 of 6

6 Cros, A., R. Venegas-Li, S.J. Teoh, N. Peterson, W. Wen, N.A. Fatan Spatial Data Quality Control for the Coral Triangle Atlas. Coastal Management, 42: Cruz-Trinidad, A., P.M. Alino, R.C. Geronimo, R.B. Cabral Linking Food Security with Coral Reefs and Fisheries in the Coral Triangle. Coastal Management, 42: Cumming, G.S., D.H.M Cumming, C.L. Redman Scale mismatches in social-ecological systems: Causes, consequences, and solutions. Ecology and Society, 11 Ekstrom, J.A., O.R. Young Evaluating Functional Fit between a Set of Institutions and an Ecosystem. Ecology and Society, 14 Fidelman, P., J.A. Ekstrom Mapping seascapes of international environmental arrangements in the Coral Triangle. Marine Policy, 36: Fidelman, P., L. Evans, M. Fabinyi, S. Foale, J. Cinner, and F. Rosen Governing largescale marine commons: Contextual challenges in the Coral Triangle. Marine Policy 36: Foale, S., D. Adhuri, P. Alino, E.H. Allison, N. Andrew, P. Cohen, L. Evans, M. Fabinyi, P. Fidelman, C. Gregory, N. Stacey, J. Tanzer, N. Weeratunge Food security and the Coral Triangle Initiative. Marine Policy 38: Folke, C., Pritchard, L., Jr., Berkes, F., Colding, J. & Svedin, U The problem of fit between ecosystems and institutions: Ten years later. Ecology and Society, 12 Lewin, L.S., M.E. Lewin Presenting information to decision makers: A guide for policy analyst. Available at: Morestin, F A Framework for Analyzing Public Policies: Practical Guide. National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy of Institut National de Sante Publique. Quebec. Rogers, E.M Diffusion of Innovations (5 th Edition). Free Press, New York. Treml, E.A., O. Bodin, P. Fidelman, S. Kininmonth, J. Ekstrom Analysing the (Mis)fit between institutional and Ecological Networks of the Coral Triangle: A Report to the WWF-US Coral Triangle Support Partnership. 27p. Veron, J.E.N., L.M. Devantier, E. Turak, A.L. Green, S. Kininmonth, M. Stafford-Smith, N Peterson Delineating the Coral Triangle. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies, 11: Walt, G, L. Gilson Reforming the health sector in developing countries: The central role of policy analysis. Health Policy and Planning 9: Walton, A., A.T. White, S. Tighe, P.M. Alino, L. Laroya, A. Dermawan, A. Kasasiah, S.A. Hamid, A. Vave-Karamui, V. Genia, L.D.J Martins, A.L. Green Establishing a Functional Region-Wide Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System. Coastal Management, 42: White, A.T., P.M. Alino, A. Cros, N.A. Fatan, A.L. Green, S.J. Teoh, L. Laroya, N. Peterson, S. Tan, S. Tighe, R. Venegas-Li, A. Walton, W. Wen Marine Protected Areas in the Coral Triangle: Progress, Issues and Options. Coastal Management, 42: Page 6 of 6