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" ... sustainable development
should be the basis for planning and implementing development in East Timor.
... The conference accepted for East Timor, the internationally recognised
definition that "sustainable development is development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs". Sustainable development addresses the linkages
between environment, economy and social well-being. ... [Recommendations]
included the key recommendation for sustainable development to be written
into East Timor’s Constitution." Conference on Sustainable Development
in East Timor coordinating committee
See also: Conference on Sustainable Development:
http://members.tripod.com/sd_east_timor/
BD:
Reconstruction and 'Aid & Development' - A collection of recent press
releases, reports, and articles
Conference on Sustainable
Development in East Timor
Konferensi Pembangunan
Berkelanjutan di Timor Lorosa'e
MEDIA RELEASE
Conference on Sustainable
Development a great success - sustainable development should be the basis
for planning and implementing development in East Timor.
17 February 2001
The first major Conference on Sustainable
Development in East Timor, held from January 25 to 31 was an extremely
successful event. More than 700 people attended the conference. The Conference
brought together international experts and East Timorese specialists to
speak on a comprehensive range of topics and to participate in workshops.
The workshops were very well attended, with people taking advantage of
the opportunity to be involved in discussions, and to prioritise issues
and develop strategies for sustainable development in East Timor.
The conference accepted for East Timor,
the internationally recognised definition that "sustainable development
is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Sustainable
development addresses the linkages between environment, economy and social
well-being.
The conference provided an important opportunity
for raising awareness and knowledge about sustainable development and the
environment in East Timor. It served to forge strong networks between East
Timorese and international guests.
The conference identified the need for
sustainable development principles and guidelines to be adopted in future
planning and project implementation. To achieve this, the conference recommended
that national development planning includes the drafting of a sustainable
development strategy.
Task Force on Sustainable Development
On the concluding day, the Conference endorsed
a key conference outcome - the establishment of a ‘Task Force on sustainable
development’. The National University of Timor Lorosa'e rose to the occasion
and accepted to house the Task Force at the University. Over the coming
months this Task Force will be established and a plan of action developed
and implemented. The Task Force will include stakeholders from all sectors
including, the university, NGOs, ETTA, church, business, and the community.
The Task Force will carry forward the strategies and recommendations of
the conference, and will be able to contribute to a national sustainable
development strategy.
District Representation
Workshops were held in six districts before
the conference. More than 25 rural representatives from eight districts
attended the conference. The organisers of the conference deliberately
sought out the involvement of people from the districts to ensure representation
from National to the village level. On the closing day of the conference
a District representative spoke about the issues of concern for the rural
areas. Follow-up workshops in the districts will share conference results,
and will ensure that the Task Force has an initial relationship to these
areas.
Conference Recommendations
There were six overarching recommendations
endorsed by the conference. These included the key recommendation for sustainable
development to be written into East Timor’s Constitution. The need for
a consistent set of sustainable development principles and guidelines for
reviewing policies, programs and projects was also recommended. The conference
recommendations stressed the need to address some of the acute unsustainable
concerns without delay, such as land tenure rights, deforestation of watersheds
and uncontrolled fishing in the southern waters of East Timor. There was
a recommendation for more participation from civil society in decision
making. On a regional and global level, the conference recommended that
East Timor prioritise participation in existing multilateral and sustainable
development agreements. The importance of negotiations over the Timor Gap,
and equitable and sustainable use of resources was raised as a priority
by conference attendees.
Workshop outcomes
A three page summary of workshop results was
also endorsed by the conference. The summary document identifies some of
the main issues, priorities and strategies that arose from the workshops.
The main themes identified by the workshops were the need for; sustainable
economic development, education and capacity building at all levels of
society, transparent and integrated planning processes, clear policy development
in consultation with the community, a transparent system of regulations,
enforcement and penalties, and recognition of traditional structures.
Further Outcomes of the Conference
After the conference Dr. Arthur Hanson
from the Canadian based International Institute for Sustainable Development
had a series of meetings with departments of the East Timor Transitional
Authority. He gave a special address to the ETTA Cabinet, in a meeting
chaired by Mr Sergio Viera de Mello, that further discussed the outcomes
of the conference. Dr. Hanson also gave a lecture on sustainable agriculture
at the National University of Timor Lorosa'e to an eager crowd of 300 people.
Many of the international guests are interested
to have ongoing involvement in East Timor. For example, the Australian
based Ecological Architects Association is seeking funding to set up a
demonstration sustainable design projects in East Timor.
As a direct result of the conference ETTA
Environment Protection Unit, and Water
and Sanitation Unit are establishing an interdepartmental committee
on waste management.
Conference proceedings
To comprehensively document and disseminate
conference outcomes, a book of conference proceedings will be produced.
It will include workshop outcomes, recommendations, and a summary of papers
presented. A set of conference materials will be available on the World
Wide Web very soon. [It's now there: http://members.tripod.com/sd_east_timor/
- BD]
Conference results clearly indicate
that sustainable development should be the basis for planning and implementing
development in East Timor.
The coordinating committee would
like to thank everyone who supported and participated in the conference.
See also:
Conference on Sustainable
Development materials:
http://members.tripod.com/sd_east_timor/
BD:
Reconstruction and 'Aid & Development' - A collection of recent press
releases, reports, and articles
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DOOR Newsletter on East Timor home
February news
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