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PEMSEA News
Up one levelPEMSEA News PEMSEA News chronicles on-the-ground experiences and activities in PEMSEA sites and hotspots. Community-based initiatives, such as mangrove planting, coastal cleanups and waste management, are highlighted in the articles, as well as other workshops, conferences and programs organized or participated in by the Regional Programme.
PEMSEA Staff Pay Tribute to Dr. Chua Thia-Eng
After more than 13 years of service as Regional Programme Director of PEMSEA, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng officially retires on 31 December 2007.
Workshop for the Sustainable Development of East Asian Seas Concludes with Work Programs
Manila, Philippines – In preparation for the next phase of PEMSEA, 56 participants composed of Project Management Office (PMO) Directors and National Focal Points (NFPs) from 11 countries across the region were brought together in a workshop held in Manila from 12-15 December 2007. Representatives from proposed ICM sites, such as Guimaras Province, Philippines, and Thua-Thien Hue, Vietnam, also participated in the workshop.
Quest for a Better Life: No Mean Feat for Communities
It has been a busy year for the Stung Hav fishery community as the people seek to find the balance between sustainable livelihood and fishery resource management and protection. For an offsite fishing community which has limited access to basic services, infrastructures and opportunities, searching for the balance is not easy, especially if the “challenges” side appears heavier.
ANAK-Balayan’s Collaborative Approach in Promoting Environmental Education
For almost three years now, a group of dedicated members and leaders of ANAK-Balayan has been visiting schools and communities in Batangas Province, Philippines, in an effort to impart environmental information. Currently, environmental education in public schools is subsumed under science and technology classes but discussions are sometimes limited. This may perhaps explain the limited appreciation of students when it comes to applying practical environmental management skills in their daily lives.
XWOW: Demonstrating Continued Commitment to Sustainable Coastal Development
Xiamen, PR China --- Xiamen continues to play a significant role in promoting sustainable coastal development not only in the East Asian region but also globally. The Municipal Government of Xiamen, United Nations Development Programme China, State Oceanic Administration, China Communications and Transportation Association and PEMSEA jointly organized the 2007 Xiamen World Ocean Week (XWOW), 2 to 6 November 2007. The successful conclusion of the XWOW marked another milestone in Xiamen’s string of achievements, particularly highlighting its role in catalyzing discussions on issues related to sustainable coastal development.
Charting the Future Course of the PNLG
XIAMEN, PR CHINA --- The PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) is consistently gaining recognition as an advocacy group for local governments particularly for its critical role in promoting ICM as an effective management framework to achieve sustainable coastal development. In view of the anticipated expansion of the network in parallel with scaling up of ICM programs in the East Asian region, charting its future course was the main focus of the First Executive Committee meeting held on 4 November 2007 in Xiamen, PR China.
PRF Secretariat Services Set to Work
Quezon City, Philippines - After several months of rigorous recruitment, the PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Secretariat Services is now fully operational. The PRF Secretariat Services is set to work to provide secretariat support to the PEMSEA regional mechanism, which includes the EAS Partnership Council, the Ministerial Forum, the Regional Partnership Fund, the EAS Congress and the PEMSEA Resource Facility. Moreover, the PRF Secretariat will also facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity building as well as monitor, evaluate and report on adopted work programs and time-bound targets related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).
Exercising Partnerships in the YSLME
Guangzhou, PR China -- The 4th Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) Project was held on 29-30 November 2007 at Dong Fang Hotel in Guangzhou, to review the achievements and endorse the work programme and budget for 2008.
Cross-sectoral Collaboration in the South China Sea Project
Bangkok, Thailand – The Third Regional Scientific Conference of the UNEP/GEF South China Sea Project was successfully convened in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28-30th November 2007.
Forging Partnerships to Save Coral Reefs
Quezon City, Philippines – The Marine Science Institute (MSI) of the University of the Philippines organized a Synthesis Panel Meeting on 30 October 2007 to present an overview of the Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program, its history, progress and plans. The CRTR is a leading coral reef research initiative that provides a coordinated approach to credible, factual and scientifically-proven knowledge for improved coral reef management. It is a research and capacity-building partnership between the Global Environment Facility, The World Bank, the University of Queensland (Australia), the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and approximately 40 research institutes and other partners around the globe.
PEMSEA on air: "Manila Bay: Challenges and Opportunities"
Manila, Philippines - The challenges and opportunities in the restoration and management of Manila Bay was the focus of the Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) radio program on DZRH-AM last 28 November 2007.
The National Course on Governance and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
