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.