International DAAD Alumni
Expert
Seminar
“Capacity Building in Integrated Watershed
Management for Sustainable Natural Resource
Management and Conflict Resolution in Transboundary
Mountainous Ecosystems of Eastern Africa”
12th to 23rd of February 2012
Mt Elgon, Uganda
The German
Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides financial
means for conducting the Alumni Expert Seminar
“Capacity Building in Integrated Watershed
Management for Sustainable Natural Resource
Management and Conflict Resolution in Transboundary
Mountainous Ecosystems of Eastern Africa” to be held
at Mbale, Mount Elgon, Uganda.
The mountainous ecosystems of the East African
region have a crucial influence on human livelihoods
as well as on local, regional, and international
hydrological water cycles. Their function in
sustaining ecological processes and meeting diverse
human needs throughout the region is vital. But, the
system is under immense pressure and deteriorating
at an alarming rate due to a quickly growing human
and livestock population and ever increasing demand
for the natural resources. As a result natural
resource (NR) conflicts are becoming increasingly
pronounced and further threaten the integrity of the
ecosystem.
This seminar is the second one of a series out of
two. In the first seminar, Integrated Watershed
Management (IWM) was used as a tool to develop a
holistic, multidisciplinary and sustainable approach
to Natural Resource management that ensures a
multi-stakeholder approach and particularly
emphasises the participation of local communities in
management and planning.
Mbale Summary Report
In the second seminar, IWM will be used as a tool in
conflict resolution as it provides a platform for
all stakeholders to voice their interests and become
a part of the decision making process.
Sub-objectives include:
1. To strengthen skills and
competencies of the DAAD Alumni and other
participants in Natural Resource Management
(NRM), conflict resolution as well as mediation
skills in transboundary ecosystems.
2. To initiate, nurture and improve regional and
international networks of (North-South and
South-South) experts working on aspects of NR
conflicts.
3. To give participants the opportunity to gain
hands-on experience in research related to NR
conflicts that benefits academicians,
practitioners and communities alike.
4. To create an opportunity for the DAAD alumni
to share experiences with local communities on
NR conflicts and their management in Eastern
Africa.
5. To catalyse innovations in communicating
research findings on NR and conflict resolution.
The tentative programme of the first
seminar includes:
-
IWM as a means of conflict transformation
-
Theoretical Introduction to Conflict Transformation
& Resolution
-
Natural Resource Conservation in Eastern Africa
-
Methodology of Conflict Analysis
-
Two days field visit to a catchment in Mt. Elgon
region
-
Excursion: Mt. Elgon National Park
- Drafting a conflict analysis
The Expert Seminar is organised by the Centre for
International Capaciy Development, Universität
Siegen; Department of Soil Science, Makerere
University; Geography Department, Kenyatta
University in collaboration with the African
Highlands Initiative (AHI) of World Agroforestry
Center (ICRAF) and UNESCO-PCCP (Potential Conflict
to Co-operation Potential). The Expert Seminar is
scheduled from 12th February (day of arrival) to
23rd February 2012 (day of departure).
DAAD covers travel costs and accomodation for GAWN
Members from the region. If you are interested,
check www.gawn.de. Under news you will find the
description as well as the application format.
Are you interested? Please read the detailed
description
before application.
For application, us this
format.