transboundary environmental conservation and livelihood creation in the proposed balkans peace park:...

Transboundary Environmental Conservation and Livelihood Creation in the proposed BALKANS PEACE PARK: Albania, Kosovo &

Montenegro

Presentation: Brandeis University, Graduate Program on Coexistence & ConflictMonday, March 12, 2012

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

•Value of International Peace Parks

•A Multi-Track Approach to Peace Park creation

•The case of the proposed Balkans Peace Park

•Livelihood creation that fosters environmental conservation and cross border cooperation

•Lessons Learned

Overview

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

International Peace ParksParks for Peace are transboundry protected areas that are formally dedicatedto the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural andassociated cultural resources, and to the promotion of peace and cooperation.

International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 2001.

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

In a world beset by conflicts and division, peace is one of the cornerstones of the future. Peace parks are a building block in this process, not only in our region, but potentially in the entire world."Dr. Nelson MandelaSource: Peace Parks Foundationwww.peaceparks.org

"I know of no political movement, no philosophy, no ideology, which does not agree with the peace parks concept as we see it going into fruition today. It is a concept that can be embraced by all.

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Global Peaceparks: © Human Footprint - Peace Parks Foundation

IUCN has identified 227 transboundary protected areas around the world. 2007.

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

•Tool for International Diplomacy (soft entry point)

•Shift incentive structures away from environmental exploitation towards conservation through livelihood creation

•Shift away from sovereign boundary perspective towards ecosystem perspective

•Coordinated cross border collaboration & peacebuilding

•Symbol of Peace

Value of International Peace Parks

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Map of the proposed Balkans Peace Park - © Balkans Peace Park Project

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Photo Credit © International Peace Park Expeditions Cory Wilson

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Photo Credit © International Peace Park Expeditions Cory Wilson

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Photo Credit © International Peace Park Expeditions Cory Wilson

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Photo Credit © International Peace Park Expeditions Cory Wilson

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Photo Credit © International Peace Park Expeditions Cory Wilson

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Photo Credits © International Peace Park Expeditions Cory Wilson

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Proposed Balkans Peace Park Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Difficulty of a Track 1 Approach

•Relationship of newly independent Kosovo and Montenegro with Serbia

•UNMIK - Kosovo institutional capacity building

•Challenges with National Park Systems in all 3 countries

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

•Multitrack diplomacy views the process of international peace building “as a living system.

•It looks at the web of interconnected activities, individuals, institutions, and communities that operate together for a common goal: a world at peace”

Source: Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy www.imtd.org

A Multi-Track Approach

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Proposed Balkans Peace Park Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Opportunities of a Multi-Track Approach

• Large Scale Infrastructure Development

• Letter of Good Intent - Mayors of 6 Municipalities

• BioDiversity - Dinaric Arc Initiative: IUCN and SNV

• GeoTourism - Peaks of the Balkans: GIZ (formerly GTZ)

• Local Action Groups - local multi-level stakeholders

• Local NGO Coalitions

•Shift Incentive Structures: EcoTourism and GeoTourism

•Establish and enforce consistent regulations that discourage detrimental activities such as illegal logging, dumping of waste, or poaching

•Jobs

• park rangers, guides

• guesthouses

• transportation

• sell food, drinks, supplies, & traditional handicrafts

•Highly educated Jobs

• scientific researchers

• civil engineers

• Natural resource managers

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Creating Livelihoods

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Lessons Learned

1. Locally specific solutions identified with the local population and implemented with their support.

2. Involve and effectively coordinate a diverse range of stakeholders on multiple levels and across multiple sectors.

3. Recognize and acknowledge the power discrepancies among stakeholders.

4. Develop consistent laws and policies on an ecosystem level.

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

5. Create livelihoods to shift incentive structures toward conservation and more sustainable land use (economic incentive must be great enough to generate a meaningful and measurable change in behavior, attitude, and income)

6. Balance large infrastructure projects and smaller community development projects

7. Equitable distribution of benefits, eliminate incentives for spoilers

8. Build a critical mass of people on the local, regional, national, and international levels

Lessons Learned Continued

Presentation:Brandeis Graduate Program on Coexistence and Conflictproposed BALKANS PEACE PARK - Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro

Thank You!

Border Post 16 - Albania & Montenegro

Todd Walterstodd@peaceparkexpeditions.org