Recommendations of Conference on Sustainable Development
Conference
on Sustainable Development in East Timor
Konferensi
Pembangunan Berkelanjutan di Timor Lorosa'e
Recommendations:
In addition to the many specific suggestions arising from the Conference papers and workshops, seven overarching recommendations are made. These represent important starting points to begin the journey towards sustainable development in Timor Lorosa’e.
1. Include sustainable development within the Constitution being drafted for Timor Lorosa’e
2. Adopt a consistent set of sustainable
development principles and guidelines for reviewing policies, programs
and projects within Timor Lorosa’e. These may include:
· Social equity, economic efficiency,
and ecological integrity
· The Precautionary Principle
· User Pays Principle
· Participatory decision-making
3. Approach national development planning by drafting a sustainable development strategy for Timor Lorosa’e
4. Address acute unsustainability concerns
without delay. Examples include:
* Deforestation of watersheds
* Rural and urban primary environmental
care, with attention to water and sanitation and housing, and urban land
law
* Land tenure and rights for sustainable
resource use
* Uncontrolled fishing on the southern
banks of the seas of Timor Lorosa’e
* Recognise and conserve indigenous cultivars
of useful plants
* Limited progress on achieving sustainable
livelihoods for both urban and rural youth
5. Empower civil society groups and community organizations through participatory approaches to decision-making during and after the transition period.
6. Prioritise participation in existing
global and regional multilateral environmental and sustainable development
agreements based on Timor Lorosa'e’s needs and capacity.
· A key priority is to define Timor
Lorosa'e’s ocean boundaries
7. Invest substantially
in sustainable development, including significant
revenue derived from the Timor Gap. Investment priorities include:
· Sustainable agriculture and biodiversity
conservation
· Sustainable development education
and research
· Water supply, sanitation and
waste management
· Sustainable energy infrastructure
· Environmental impact assessment
of development
See also:
Jan
25-31 2001 CSD: Introduction to Conference on Sustainable Development
Article up-dated Aug 3
" ... the human system is an integral
part of the ecosystem. A society is sustainable only if both the human
condition and the condition of the ecosystem are satisfactory or improving.
If either is unsatisfactory or worsening, the society is unsustainable.
... The livelihoods of East Timorese people
depend on a healthy and productive environment. All people and industries
for example, depend on a healthy water supply. Agriculture, fisheries,
and tourism also depend on the environment. To meet people’s needs now
and for future generations, East Timor’s natural resource base must be
conserved and improved." Mr Jose
Lobato, Timor Aid
Jan
25-31 2001 CSD: Program for Conference on Sustainable Development
Summary up-dated Aug 3
"The 22 workshops on sustainable development
issues first identified 4 priority issues and then listed strategies to
address them. ...
Summary includes: Sustainable Economic
Development; Education -at all levels of society; Capacity Building -at
all levels of society; Transparent and Integrated Planning Process; Clear
Policies -developed in consultation with the community; Transparent System
of Regulations, Enforcement and Penalties; Recognition of Traditional Structures
and Knowledge." Conference
on Sustainable Development in East Timor
Jan
25-31 2001 CSD: ETTA: The Natural Resources of East Timor
Overview added July 25
"Because East Timor has ruled by other
people for so long, the management of natural resources in this country
has not received serious attention. The result is that today there is widespread
deforestation and there are several species of bird and animals that are
threatened with extinction. ... Thus if we wish to develop a better future
for East Timor, the biophysical environment and natural resources of East
Timor must be given attention so as to avoid further destruction and to
repair environmental damage." Mario N. Nunes, Manger ETTA Forestry Unit