ဖော်ပြချက်/အကြောင်းအရာ:
Conclusion -- local participation and respected insiders:
If there is one certainty of fair and effective local participation in
environmental governance, it is that there is no universal monolithic
system of rules, regulations and processes simply awaiting implementation
and practice. Just as disparate copper-mining operations can differ vastly,
so too do local potentialities for environmental governance participation
(Medowcroft 2004; and, for a contrasting account, Leone and Giannini
2005). There are, however, two consistent features of effective local
participation in environmental governance: it must involve local people
and have, to some degree, cooperation and support from relevant
institutions and stakeholders. That is, it?s a multi-stakeholder affair,
and moreover one that presupposes the recognition of the right to
organise.
Environmental conflict resolution is a tool for recourse and for
building common purpose? between stakeholders (O?Leary et al.
2004:324). Scholars note the importance of understanding the many
varieties of environmental conflict resolution interventions as complex
systems embedded in even larger complex systems? (O?Leary et al.
2004:324). In other words, the wider spatial, temporal, economic,
social, cultural and political contexts of the specific environmental
conflict resolution are relevant for building common purpose between
stakeholders. In Burma, conflict resolution is undertaken quite
differently from dominant Western models. EarthRights International
conducted research for five years on traditional methods of conflict
resolution and its relationship to resource-based conflict at the
local level in Burma. That research resulted in Traditions of Conflict
Resolution in Burma (Leone and Giannini 2005), which argues that
conflict resolution in Burma is based more on interpersonal respect
and a tradition of local respected insiders? than on assumptions of the
objectivity of third-party outsiders?. Whereas official administrative
and court-based proceedings provide a level of comfort and trust to
the Western sensibility, these are the very institutions and processes
that might cause local villagers in Burma to feel uncomfortable and
distrustful. The report contends that the prospects for peace and earth
rights protection? hinge on this respected insider model, adding that
such respected insider practices may serve as models for communitybased
natural resource management? (Leone and Giannini 2005:1–2).
Effective local participation in environmental governance in Burma
will necessarily involve a unique tradition-based paradigm developed
by local Burmese themselves.
While third-party outsiders are less likely to gain genuine traction
in communities in Burma, this is not meant to undermine the need
for objective third-party EIAs and environmental monitoring at largescale
mining operations such as Monywa. Rather, it simply indicates
the unique needs that must be considered for fair and effective local
participation in environmental governance of mining in Burma. While
administrative and judicial proceedings can make the average Burmese
villager uncomfortable, the same cannot be said for the rule of law and
justice (which are largely absent in Burma), which will be accepted
wholly by the average Burmese, particularly by those whose human
rights have been violated.
As Tun Myint (2003) has suggested, the successes and failures of
environmental governance are determined largely by how natural
resources are used and managed at the local level. This chapter
approached a genuine inquiry into the state of environmental governance
of mining in Burma motivated by a genuine concern for the natural
environment and the people of Burma who depend on it. It interpreted
current environmental governance of mining natural resources in Burma
as largely inadequate, weak and ostensibly favourable to corporate
interests over the public interest and the natural environment. Burma?s
economic, social, cultural, political and environmental future depends
on changing this.
ရင်းမြစ်:
2006 Burma Update Conference via Australian National University
Date of Publication:
2007-01-00
Date of entry:
2008-12-30
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
အကြောင်းအရာ/အမျိုးအစား:
Language:
English