UNEP, NGOs take separate paths to save the planet
UNEP, NGOs take separate paths to save the planet
Fabiola Desi Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has been urged to break rules and regulations which hamper the organization from implementing more tangible projects that benefit the people and the global environment.
Bunker Roy of Barefoot College in India, said during the celebration to mark 30 years of partnership between UNEP and non- governmental organizations (NGOs), that since its establishment in l972 UNEP had done very little to promote dialog or partnership especially in regard to including the "people's voice" in the decision-making process.
"Many people and organizations may have done more useful projects for the people and the environment," said Roy. UNEP, he urged, should be more daring in ensuring natural conservation.
Emmy Hafild, executive director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) also agreed that most decisions are still dominated by governments.
"UNEP should find justification for the organization to continue to exist," confirmed Roy.
These remarks came amidst increasing calls from the NGOs to enter the decision-making process as they become impatient with the lack of improvement in the environment, despite three decades of UNEP existence.
UNEP was established after the Stockholm Declaration in 1972, when the international community, for the first time, met to discuss environmental issues.
Since its creation, this inter-governmental organization was encouraged to work together with NGOs, governments and the business community to design, implement and monitor projects on the environment.
However, UNEP Deputy Executive Director Shafqat Kakakhel admitted in his welcoming remarks that the organization was still working under "governmental constraints".
"UNEP's governing council should take more practical steps in strengthening relations with the NGO," acknowledged Kakakhel.
He said that NGOs had more of an "outreaching ambition" in various environmental projects that are difficult for UNEP to follow up on and that such a condition should be changed.
Emmy suggested that UNEP should open a wider information flow with decisions, and at the same time provide room for public debate.
"Let the public know the information of UNEP's decision and develop mechanisms for the public to convey their objections against any decision," she underlined.
Emmy further said that the call should also apply to all UN agencies and that UNEP should start the new process.