CASM 2006 November 11 15 2006 Antsirabe MADAGASCAR
CASM 2006 November 11 -15, 2006 Antsirabe MADAGASCAR KEYNOTE ADDRESS A Global Perspective on ASM from the NGO Sector Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana, Conservation Director, WWF Madagascar and West Indian Ocean Programme Office Martin Nicoll, Senior Conservation Advisor, WWF Madagascar and West Indian Ocean Programme Office
GENERAL VIEW • ASM presents significant risks for governance, health, sustainable development and environment – a common view among NGOs However, ASM is a reality and benefits many people including some that are relatively marginalized
ASM AND GOVERNANCE • • • ASM is often ‘illegal, ’ difficult to regulate, and legislation difficult to apply Weakening of administration and creation of a ‘parallel’ market Insecurity Social disruption stimulated by large-scale migration Increased economic vulnerability
ASM AND HEALTH • • Mine-related injuries, illnesses and even death Sexually transmitted diseases Pollution effects, particularly water supplies Depletion of traditional medicinal resources
ASM AND BIODIVERSITY • • Loss of vital habitats Local extinctions or increased rarity Soil and water degradation Long-term changes in habitat composition
WHAT CAN NGOs DO? • Represent civil society • Bring sectoral skills and experience • Support under-resourced government agencies WHAT MUST NGOs DO?
NGOs AND GOVERNANCE • Support administration efforts to improve and enforce improved governance • Policy development and regulation • Education • Social protection • Working practices, child labor… • Services and infrastructures
HEALTH NGOs AND ASM • • Education and training Health services and infrastructures Monitoring HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
DEVELOPMENT NGOs AND ASM • • • Test and propagate well-adapted and improved production technologies Help identify and sustainably manage essential natural resources Help local governments to establish ground rules for ASM and associated migration effects on natural resources and social systems
ENVIRONMENT NGOs AND ASM • • • Support strategies to conserve biodiversity Develop best practices guidelines and policy Identify and prioritize high biodiversity areas Support sustainable utilization schemes Support protected areas Monitor
SOME IMPERATIVES • • Governance: • Policies, standards and best practices • Transparency • Equity • Self-regulatory structures Education and awareness • The mines to exporter chain • Administrations and communities
ESSENTIALLY… If ASM is well-regulated, the potential problems for society and environment will be significantly reduced.
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