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Environmental Law Capacity Building Programme for Sustainable Development
[last updated December 24, 2003 4:35 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected Timeframe 2002 - 2010 |
Partners
| Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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| Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Argentina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Kuwait, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Viet Nam |
National Focal Points
At present, no information is available as to whether the partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the relevant countries.
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
Effective implementation will not occur without capacity building and 'good governance'. This initiative provides a framework for environmental law capacity building for sustainable development at all levels, one that serves to forge links between existing institutions and processes, and to facilitate 'good governance' for sustainable development.
The long term objective of this initiative is: 'In every country governments and stakeholders have the capacity to actively participate in the international policy debate, to implement what is agreed through co-ordinated policies, laws and institutions that respect the rule of law and to ensure effective compliance.'
To be effective, such a programme requires global coordination, regional and national delivery and effective collaboration through a partnership of leading international, regional and national organizations.
IUCN's Environmental Law Programme is the world's oldest and largest environmental law network. It has the ability to mobilise and co-ordinate the efforts of the best environmental lawyers and organisations from countries all over the world. This includes a rich network of partners drawn from UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs and academic instiutions, in addition to the 900 volunteers in 130 countries who comprise the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law.
The development of this co-ordinated programme provides a context within which to develop and promote specific projects, including ECOLEX, the web based access to FAO, IUCN, and UNEP environmental law and policy information, the IUCN International Academy on Environmental Law, and targeted publications and training projects.
This partnership programme for capacitiy building integrates the broad suite of partnerships that comprise the IUCN Environmental Law Programme, with a view to achieving maximum leverage and to get resources 'on the ground' as effectively and efficiently as possible. Identified partners (other than the IUCN CEL, ELC and Academy) are involved in specific projects rather than the entire initiative ie FAO, IUCN and UNEP re ECOLEX.
The long term objective of this initiative is: 'In every country governments and stakeholders have the capacity to actively participate in the international policy debate, to implement what is agreed through co-ordinated policies, laws and institutions that respect the rule of law and to ensure effective compliance.'
To be effective, such a programme requires global coordination, regional and national delivery and effective collaboration through a partnership of leading international, regional and national organizations.
IUCN's Environmental Law Programme is the world's oldest and largest environmental law network. It has the ability to mobilise and co-ordinate the efforts of the best environmental lawyers and organisations from countries all over the world. This includes a rich network of partners drawn from UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs and academic instiutions, in addition to the 900 volunteers in 130 countries who comprise the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law.
The development of this co-ordinated programme provides a context within which to develop and promote specific projects, including ECOLEX, the web based access to FAO, IUCN, and UNEP environmental law and policy information, the IUCN International Academy on Environmental Law, and targeted publications and training projects.
This partnership programme for capacitiy building integrates the broad suite of partnerships that comprise the IUCN Environmental Law Programme, with a view to achieving maximum leverage and to get resources 'on the ground' as effectively and efficiently as possible. Identified partners (other than the IUCN CEL, ELC and Academy) are involved in specific projects rather than the entire initiative ie FAO, IUCN and UNEP re ECOLEX.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsSpecific focus: Developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
The general target is: To make real 'on ground' progress towards all countries, governments and stakeholders having the capacity to actively participate in the international policy debate, to implement what is agreed through co-ordinated policies, laws and institutions that respect the rule of law and to ensure effective compliance. This is to be achieved through a co-ordinated programme of activities, which will address the seven pillars that form the foundations of the programme: Academic education, ie establishing the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law in 2003, and expanding the network of IUCN CEL recognised 'centres of excellence'. Practical training, ie hold training courses on priority issues. Expert forums, ie expanding the network of IUCN CEL specialist groups in key areas, and establishing a network of judges (IUCN and UNEP). International experience, ie creating additional opportunities for internships and fellowships. Publications, ie publishing materials on key issues such as biosafety, soils and water in 2003. Technical assistance, ie developing a specific sub-programme for Africa in 2003. Information, ie re-engineering ECOLEX (FAO, IUCN, UNEP) and re-designing the web interface in 2003. See the IUCN ELP Website capacity building initiative matrix: http://www.iucn.org/themes/law/elp06.html |
Progress against targetsAcademic education. The IUCN Academy of Environmental Law was launched in Shanghai 2003 where is also held its first colloquium on 'The Law of Energy for Sustainable Development'. The network of IUCN CEL recognised 'centres of excellence' was expanded to 13 centres in 11 countries in 2003.
Expert forums. The network of IUCN CEL specialist groups in key areas was expanded to 15, with the most recent groups being established for the 'Judiciary', 'Oceans Law and Governance' and 'Capacity Building in the Asia Pacific Region'. The IUCN-UNEP Judicial Portal was developed and promoted in 2002-2003. International experience. The IUCN ELC created additional opportunities for internships and fellowships in 2003. Publications. A Guide to the Cartagena Protocol (IUCN, FIELD, WRI) was released in 2003 and translated in to English, French, Spanish and Russian. Publications on energy, water and soil law for sustainable development were released in 2003. Technical assistance. A specific sub-programme for Africa, 'The Africa Initiative', was developed (IUCN, ENF Envirolaw Solutions and others)in 2003. Information. ECOLEX (FAO, IUCN, UNEP) was re-engineered and the web interface was re-designed in 2003. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
- Technology transfer/exchange
This co-ordinated programme of activities addresses the seven pillars that form the foundations of the initiatve:
Academic education
Practical training
Expert forums
Publications
International experience
Technical assistance
Information
See the IUCN ELP Website capacity building initiative matrix: http://www.iucn.org/themes/law/elp06.html
Technical Assistance to developing countries upon request ranging from review, diagnosis and preparation of inventories of existing legislation, to identifying measures for strengthening national legislation and governance, and assisting in drafting new legal instruments.
To be effective, such a programme requires global coordination, regional and national delivery and effective collaboration through a partnership of leading international, regional and national organizations.
This partnership programme for capacitiy building integrates the broad suite of partnerships that comprise the IUCN Environmental Law Programme, with a view to achieving maximum leverage and to get resources 'on the ground' as effectively and efficiently as possible. Identified partners are involved in specific projects rather than the entire initiative ie FAO and UNEP re ECOLEX, GWP and UNDP re water governance etc.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
There is a clear need to take a programmatic approach to capacity building to better facilitate the effective and co-ordinated implementation of Agenda 21 and the WSSD. Specific references to the need for a co-ordinated approach to capacity building include:
Agenda 21: A number of different Chapters could be referred to as capacity building is a theme that cuts across most issues. Chapters 8.19-20 call for establishing a co-operative training network for sustainable development law and support, working together to develop integrated compliance strategies, and co-ordination through providing legal information services with legal expert advice.
UN Millennium Declaration: The Declaration reaffirms support for the principles of sustainable development, including those set out in Agenda 21 and declares that no effort will be spared "to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law". It also calls for the strengthening of capacity of all countries to implement the principles and practices of democracy.
WSSD: Many paragraphs can be referred to in parts IX and X, including paras 75,, 99, 104, 109, 119 and 121. International institutions are encouraged to promote cooperative efforts ie see para 133. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Agenda 21: A number of different Chapters could be referred to as capacity building is a theme that cuts across most issues. Chapters 8.19-20 call for establishing a co-operative training network for sustainable development law and support, working together to develop integrated compliance strategies, and co-ordination through providing legal information services with legal expert advice.
UN Millennium Declaration: The Declaration reaffirms support for the principles of sustainable development, including those set out in Agenda 21 and declares that no effort will be spared "to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law". It also calls for the strengthening of capacity of all countries to implement the principles and practices of democracy.
WSSD: Many paragraphs can be referred to in parts IX and X, including paras 75,, 99, 104, 109, 119 and 121. International institutions are encouraged to promote cooperative efforts ie see para 133. Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Preamble; International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies; Combating poverty; Integrating environment and development in decision-making; Protection of the atmosphere; Integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources; Combating deforestation; Managing fragile ecosystems: combating desertification and drought; Managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development; Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development; Conservation of biological diversity; Environmentally sound management of biotechnology; Protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources; Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources: application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources; Preamble; Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-building; Promoting education, public awareness and training; National mechanisms and international cooperation for capacity-building in developing countries; International institutional arrangements; International legal instruments and mechanisms; Information for decision-making
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Introduction ; Poverty eradication ; Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Sustainable development in a globalizing world ; Sustainable development of small island developing States ; Sustainable development for Africa ; Sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean; Sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific; Sustainable development in the West Asia region; Sustainable development in the Economic Commission for Europe region; Means of implementation ; Objectives; Strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development at the international level; Role of international institutions; Strengthening institutional arrangement for sustainable development at the regional level; Strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development at the national level; Participation of major groups
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipThe IUCN (global) Environmental Law Centre (ELC), Bonn facilitates co-operation, co-ordination and regional and national delivery.
IUCN's Environmental Law Programme (ELP), established in 1958, is the world's oldest and largest environmental law network. It has the ability to mobilise and co-ordinate the efforts of the best environmental lawyers and organisations from countries all over the world. This includes a rich network of partners drawn from UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs and academic instiutions, in addition to the 900 volunteers in 130 countries who comprise the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law (CEL). IUCN ELP has a long and successful track record of working in partnership with others to develop and deliver major capacity building projects. IUCN is a membership based organisation, with 79 State members, 112 government and 735 national and international NGO members (together with 42 regional and country offices, and a volunteer network of over 10,000 experts in six commissions), and can facilitate self assessment of capacity building needs from both a government and civil society perspective. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipIUCN Environmental Law Programme has developed an extensive range of genuine partnerships for over forty years. These partnerships represent a rich network of UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs and academic instiutions, in addition to the 900 volunteers in 130 countries who comprise the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law (CEL). These are the delivery partners, with partners taking the lead role in many instances.
More specifically, the implementation of the initiative is through the IUCN ELC, IUCN CEL, IUCN Academy of Environmental Law, IUCN regional and country offices, IUCN CEL recognised 'centres of excellence', and other partners as identified through specific projects ie FAO, IUCN and UNEP for ECOLEX (IUCN being the Management Unit for ECOLEX). The development of a co-ordinated programme provides a context within which to develop and promote specific projects, including ECOLEX, the web based access to FAO, IUCN, and UNEP environmental law and policy information, the IUCN International Academy on Environmental Law, publications and training projects. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 500,000
Source(s): Government - IGO
IUCN ELP obtains core funds through IUCN and project funds from many donors. Individual partners bring their own resources to specific projects |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Computers - Office space - Staff
Source(s): Government - IGO
The IUCN Environmental Law Centre, Bonn hosts a range of interns, fellows, students and visitors, hosts one of the world's largest publications collections on environmental law and policy and is the Management Unit for ECOLEX "a gateway to environmental law" (FAO, IUCN, UNEP). |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 10000000
Source(s) already approached: Donor agencies, private sector, foundations.
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s): Computers - Office space - Staff - Other
IUCN ELP seeks to build the capacity of IUCN Members and recognised IUCN CEL "centres of excellence" from across the world (see major groups). Building up centres of excellence, including their library resources, is a high priority. Source(s) approached and details:
Donor agencies, private sector, foundations. |
Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
IUCN Environmental Law Programme has developed an extensive range of genuine partnerships for over forty years. These partnerships represent a rich network of UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs and academic instiutions, in addition to the 900 volunteers in 130 countries who comprise the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law (CEL).
A major initiative over the past eight years has been the recognition by IUCN CEL of regional 'centres of excellence', and capacity has been built through partnering with these institutions and linking them into a broader network. The most recent examples are the recognition of the University of Witwatersrand, School of Law and a water law 'centre of excellence' and Ecopravo Lviv as a regional 'centre of excellence'.
The experience, gained over fourty years has demonstrated the critical importance of partnerships to building capacity. A 'light' and flexible institutional framework is needed to coordinate these endeavours, one that serves to actively engage with partners on equal terms, and to give proper recognition to every partners contribution.
A major initiative over the past eight years has been the recognition by IUCN CEL of regional 'centres of excellence', and capacity has been built through partnering with these institutions and linking them into a broader network. The most recent examples are the recognition of the University of Witwatersrand, School of Law and a water law 'centre of excellence' and Ecopravo Lviv as a regional 'centre of excellence'.
The experience, gained over fourty years has demonstrated the critical importance of partnerships to building capacity. A 'light' and flexible institutional framework is needed to coordinate these endeavours, one that serves to actively engage with partners on equal terms, and to give proper recognition to every partners contribution.