The Access Initiative

Topics: Public Participation

RESULTS: Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) and Europe Exchange: Moving Forward to a LAC Convention on P10 Workshop

By Megan Daley (Posted: September 9, 2013)

On July 30-31, The Access Initiative, in partnership with the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Easter Europe and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and through Centro Ecuatoriano de Derecho Ambiental (CEDA), Iniciativa de Acceso Mexico (IA-Mex) and World Resources Institute (WRI), hosted the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) and Europe Exchange: Moving Forward to a LAC Convention on P10 workshop in Quito, Ecuador. Additionally, the meeting included partners from 19 different countries across the Americas and Europe. The main goal of the workshop was to exchange ideas between the European and TAI LAC partners.

The LAC Convention strives to contribute to good governance, democracy, and sustainable development. This will be achieved through establishing standards and procedures for access rights, preventing and reducing environmental conflicts, reducing poverty, protecting natural resources, and strengthening transparency. The Quito meeting yielded many results that correspond to these goals, including an Advocacy and Outreach Strategy (attached) that outlined key actions, responsibilities of the partners, and intended deadlines. Objectives of the strategy included increasing the number of Caribbean signatories of the P10 Declaration, gaining more political support, and increasing the number of participants registered for the LAC Process. One of the most important goals to emerge, however, was the advocacy for the creation of a process for legally binding conventions with governments by 2014. If achieved, this objective will increase legitimacy, cooperation, and government support for TAI partners and the LAC Process. Finally, it was agreed upon that TAI partners would utilize social media more to update others on the LAC Process, inform their various networks on progress, and distribute information on the process at regional meetings.

Overall, the Quito Workshop included interactive engagement and dialogue amongst partners that led to ambitious objectives. The exchange of ideas will greatly benefit TAI’s future goals and tactics in the LAC Process.

Eye on Earth Access for All Meeting September 3, 2013

By Caitlin O’Donnell (Posted: September 4, 2013)

The Eye on Access for All Special Initiative meeting was co-hosted by UNEP and WRI’s Access Initiative on September 3, 2013.

To listen to this event’s audio and see presentations, please follow the link: https://vimeo.com/73810592

This meeting aimed to review projects under way, to expand the outreach of the initiative and to prepare strategies for the next Eye on Earth Summit in 2014. In order to introduce P10 and solicit partnerships and collaborative projects with new partners, the global experts assembled under the Eye on Access for All platform plan to open the final element of the DC meeting to a select number of invited guests. Relevant governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the US will be briefed about latest developments with respect to the application of Principle 10 and the progress of A4A projects. At the end of the session, participants will have a full understanding about latest global P10 developments, the EoE Access for All Special Initiative and the opportunities it offers US-based stakeholders for participation and collaboration.

Argentina Joins P10 Process

By Megan Daley (Posted: August 19, 2013)

Argentina is now a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Principle 10 Process, bringing the number of LAC countries to 15. Joining the P10 Process is expected to bring about more public participation in environmental decision making in Argentina, a country that has and continues to have issues concerning access to information, access to justice, and citizen engagement in the EIA process.

In Argentina, there is no constitutional guarantee of right to access to information or public documents. Although Article 41(2) of the Argentine Constitution requires the government to disclose environmental information to the public, classified and legally protected information is kept from citizens and it remains a contentious national issue. Thus, joining the P10 Process could encourage access to environmentally impactful information.

The EIA procedure in Argentina is one process that will benefit from the country’s upcoming participation in the P10 process. In Argentina, an environmental impact assessment is required before some environmentally detrimental activities, such as mining, but is not regulated at the federal level and not required for all activities that impact the environment. Furthermore, there are no provisions that dictate the specific scope and focus of EIA in Argentina, leaving the Argentine procedure loosely defined and applied. Similarly, no specific EIA instruments have been established.

There are also challenges in implementing public participation concerning environmental issues amongst Argentinians. The process depends on dedicated and highly involved public participation that accurately represents the public. Without the support of local or national communities, the EIA process cannot be successful. Although Argentina currently requires public hearings for projects with possible negative environmental impacts, citizen participation in the EIA process is not extensive.

Joining the Latin American and Caribbean Principle 10 Process is a step forward for environmental public participation, access to information, and a more thorough EIA procedure for Argentina.

http://www.freedominfo.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/globalsurvey2006.pdf http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/NEFW/environet/meetings/TMGuideStakeholderInvolvement/Argentina.pdfhttp://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/1069ce004c08ad23ae9cbe798…

Upcoming Workshop: “Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Europe Exchange: Moving Forward to a LAC Convention on P10”

By Megan Daley  (Posted: July 31, 2013)

The Access Iniative is coordinating a workshop through its partners Centro Ecuatoriano de Derecho Ambiental (CEDA), Iniciativa de Acceso México (IA-Mex) and World Resources Institute (WRI), with the support of The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) to discuss the European experience with the TAI LAC partners to strengthen TAI’s outreach, advocacy and fundraising strategy for 2013-2014. This workshop will bring together at least 17 LAC TAI partners actively involved in the LAC process and representatives from Regional Environment Center (REC) and Environmental European Bureau (EEB) who has been actively involved in the Aarhus Convention process since its negotiation.

More specifically, the workshop will allow partners to learn about the Aarhus process, update the LAC process, agree on the LAC TAI advocacy strategy, strengthen the LAC TAI outreach and fundraising strategies and agree on a process and actions after the workshop

During the two-day workshop, objectives and methodologies will be presented. Each presentation will include a Q&A portion, group work sessions, and plenaries for each of the strategies: advocacy, outreach and fundraising. After the workshop, a report discussing the outcomes will be distributed.

Facilitators will include: Daniel Barragán, Andrea Sanhueza, Carole Excelle, Ana Lucia Maya, Ezio Costa, Patricia Abed, Daniel Ryan, Paula Martins, Patricia Madrigal, Cecilia Olivares, Alberto Gómez, Olimpia Castillo, Tomás Severino, Antonio Chang, Isabel Calle and Ingrid Parchment

“Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Europe Exchange: Moving Forward to a LAC Convention on P10” will meet July 30-31 in Quito.

La Iniciativa de Acceso está coordinando un taller a través de sus socios Centro Ecuatoriano de Derecho Ambiental (CEDA), Iniciativa de Acceso México (IA-Mex) y World Resources Institute (WRI), con la colaboración de The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe y el European Environmental Bureau (EEB) para discutir el intercambio de la experiencia europea con los socios TAI ALC para el fortalecimiento de las estrategias de difusión, incidencia y fondeo para el 2013-2014. Este taller reunirá 17 socios de TAI-ALC activos en el proceso regional y a representantes del Centro Regional de Ambiente y de la Oficina Europea para el Ambiente quienes estuvieron activamente involucrados en la Convención de Aarhus desde su negociación.

Más especifica, el taller les permitirá a los socios aprender sobre el proceso de Aarhus, actualizarse sobre el contexto del proceso ALC, acordar la estrategia de incidencia, fortalecer la estrategia TAI ALC de difusión y la de financiamiento y acordar los procesos y acciones apara después del taller.

Durante el taller de dos días, los objetivos y metodología serán presentados. Cada presentación incluyera una sesión por preguntas y repuestas, grupos de trabajo y plenarias para cada una de las estrategias: incidencia, difusión y financiamiento. Al final, un formulario de evaluación será preparado que discute los resultados del taller.

Facilitadores incluyen: Daniel Barragán, Andrea Sanhueza, Carole Excelle, Ana Lucia Maya, Ezio Costa, Patricia Abed, Daniel Ryan, Paula Martins, Patricia Madrigal, Cecilia Olivares, Alberto Gómez, Olimpia Castillo, Tomás Severino, Antonio Chang, Isabel Calle e Ingrid Parchment

“Intercambio entre America Latina y el Caribe (ALC) y Europa: Avanzado hacia una Convencion ALC sobre el Principio 10” será realizada el 30 y 31 de julio en Quito.

Intercambio entre América latina y el Caribe (ALC) y Europa: avanzando hacia un Convenio regional sobre el P10

By Daniel Barragan (Posted: July 29, 2013)

El próximo 30 y 31 de Julio se realizará el taller “Intercambio entre América latina y el Caribe (ALC) y Europa: avanzando hacia un Convenio regional sobre el P10” en la ciudad de Quito, Ecuador.

El encuentro tiene como objetivo principal realizar un intercambio entre representantes de organizaciones europeas vinculadas al proceso de la Convención de Aarhus con socios de la Iniciativa de Acceso (TAI) de América Latina y el Caribe vinculados al proceso de la Declaración del Principio 10 (P10).

Este intercambio sobre la experiencia del Convenio de Aarhus, y las lecciones aprendidas, servirá para crear la estrategia de incidencia de TAI ALC para el proceso regional del P10 a la vez de fortalecer sus estrategias de comunicación y de financiamiento. l De este encuentro participarán socios de los Países Signatarios de la Declaración del P10, y de otros países que están próximos a suscribir la misma.

Esta actividad es financiada por el Matching Fund de Think Tank Initiative y WRI a través del Centro Ecuatoriano de Derecho Ambiental (CEDA)

Regional Conference on Freedom of Information Laws (FOI) in the Caribbean: Improving Management for the Environment

By Caitlin O’Donnell (Posted: July 17, 2013)

A regional meeting to discuss the status of Freedom of Information Laws in the Caribbean was held on March, 20-21st in Kingston, Jamaica. A total of 57 participants from 12 Caribbean countries attended the conference. The Conference was organized by the Jamaica Environment Trust, the World Resources Institute, the Access Initiative, Jamaicans for Justice, The Mona School of Business and Management and the Unit of Access to Information of the Government of Jamaica. This Regional Conference provided an opportunity for dialogue and sharing of experiences on the adoption and implementation of FOI laws in the Caribbean as well as to outline regional possibilities for advancement and collaboration.

One important outcome of the Kingston conference was the creation of an Action Plan to improve FOI in the region. (See attachment to read Action Plan.) This plan identifies the following stages: • countries with no FOI legislation; • countries with FOI legislation that has passed but has not been implemented; • countries with FOI legislation that has been passed and implemented but have significant problems; • countries with fully-enforced FOI legislation.

A second important outcome was the establishment of the Caribbean Freedom of Information Network (CFOIN), which will allow participants to continue dialogue, share FOI implementation experiences, and discuss plans to improve FOI across the region. CFOIN is managed by the Jamaica Environment Trust with technical support from with Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide. To join the Caribbean FOI network, please contact Danielle Andrade, Legal Director at Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), at dandrade.jet@gmail.com. View the documents from the Kingston conference here:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ptjvkujvd53gxz1/74hgLDB80D.

Participants expressed the desire to make this conference an annual event; plans for a second conference are to follow.

Conferencia Regional de Marcos legales de Acceso a la Información en el Caribe: Fortaleciendo la Gestión Ambiental

Una Conferencia Regional para discutir sobre la situación de las leyes de acceso a la información en el Caribe fue realizada el 20 y 21 de Marzo en Kingston, Jamaica. Participaron un total de 57 personas de 12 países caribeños. La Conferencia fue organizada por el Jamaica Environment Trust, el Instituto de Recursos Mundiales, la Iniciativa de Acceso, Jamaicans for Justice, The Mona School of Business and Management y la Unidad de Acceso a la Información del Gobierno de Jamaica. Esta Conferencia fue una oportunidad para el diálogo y compartir experiencias sobre los procesos de adopción e implementación de leyes de acceso a la información en el Caribe así como para definir posibilidades de colaboración en la región que permitan avanzar en la adopción e implementación de estos marcos normativos.

Uno de los principales resultados de la Conferencia fue la creación de un Plan de Acción para fortalecer los marcos normativos sobre acceso a la información pública en la región. El Plan de Acción identifica las siguientes etapas: • Países que han aprobado leyes de acceso a la información pero que no han sido implementadas. • Países que han aprobado leyes de acceso a la información que se están implementando pero con importantes problemas. • Países donde la implementación de la legislación es adecuada.
Un Segundo resultado importante fue el establecimiento de la Red del Caribe para el Acceso a la Información (Caribbean Freedom of Information Network (CFOIN)), la cual continuará facilitando el diálogo entre los participantes para compartir experiencias respecto de la implementación de la leyes y debatir sobre acciones concretas para fortalecer la legislación en la región. CFOIN es administrada por Jamaica Environment Trust con el apoyo técnico de la Alianza Mundial para la Legislación Ambiental (Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide). Para participar en esta red por favor contactarse con Danielle Andrade, Directora Legal de Jamaica Environment Trust (JET). Su correo electrónico es dandrade.jet@gmail.com. Para acceder a los documentos de la Conferencia vea aquí:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ptjvkujvd53gxz1/74hgLDB80D.

Los participantes expresaron su interés en realizar esta Conferencia en forma anual.

Access Rights Success Story

By Caitlin O’Donnell (Posted: July 17, 2013)

In 1981, Asberga purchased a small plot of land in Cockpit Country, Trelawny, Jamaica where she has lived since then. This was the only land she owned. She grew crops to sustain herself and sell in the market. In 2006, she applied to the local parish council for permission to subdivide her land. The parish council refused permission on the basis that her land was located on or in proximity to bauxite reserves. Asberga did not know what to do. In Jamaica, all minerals are owned by the Government and laws allow the government to zone land for mining purposes and grant companies permission to mine bauxite on anyone’s land even without their consent. Asberga sought help from TAI’s partner, Jamaica Environment Trust, who provided information to her on the correct procedures for her to conduct an appeal. JET also gave her legal support to appeal the parish council’s decision in December 2006. Six months later, the Minister responsible for local government decided to uphold the appeal and allowed Asberga to subdivide her land. Without information and access to justice mechanisms citizens are often left helpless and without access to needed remedies.

En 1981, Asberga adquirió un pequeño terreno en Cockpit, Trelawny en Jamaica donde ella vive hasta hoy en día. Este es el único terreno que ella posee. El terreno lo cultiva para su subsistencia y para vender vegetales en el mercado. El año 2006 ella postuló al Consejo Local para obtener un permiso para subdividir su terreno. El Consejo Local no le entregó la autorización por que el terreno estaba ubicado en una reserva de bauxita. Frente a esta decisión Bauxita no sabía que hacer. En Jamaica todos los minerales son de propiedad del Estado y el marco legal autoriza al Gobierno a zonificar tierras para la explotación minera y garantiza a las empresas los permisos para explotar la bauxita en las tierras de cualquiera sin necesidad de contar con su consentimiento. Asberga tomó contacto con el socio de TAI en Jamaica, Jamaica Environment Trust, quien le entregó información sobre el procedimiento y le entregó asistencia para apelar a la decisión del Consejo Local. Seis meses después, el Ministerio responsable de los Municipios aceptó la apelación y autorizó a Asberga a subdividir su terreno. Sin mecanismos para el acceso a la información y a la justicia muchas veces la ciudadanía queda indefensa y sin acceso a soluciones.

Norwich Declaration on Environmental Justice: Money Can’t Buy Environmental Justice

By He Jun (Posted: July 12, 2013)

This declaration emerged from a workshop held at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England in June 20-22, 2013, on global environmental justice.

We, an international group of activists, academics and researchers, observe that environmental injustices are proliferating across the globe.

Cases of environmental injustice are however frequently being addressed by governments, multinational corporations and multilateral institutions as problems that can be resolved through technical or monetary means.

Such narrow understanndings of environmental justice normalise the perpetration of injustice. Instead we believe it is essential to advance an approach to environmental justice founded on fundamental principles of citizenship, political and cultural rights, democratic decentralisation, rule of law, access to due juridical processes and transparent, democratic and accountable governance.

Further debates find as: http://www.uea.ac.uk/international-development/dev-blog

Los derechos de acceso en el Ecuador y el derecho de consulta previa, libre e informada

By Daniel Barragan (Posted: May 17, 2013)

Como parte del proyecto “The Access Initiative (TAI): Legal Empowerment of Vulnerable Communities in Latin America” desarrollamos un análisis de la legislación vigente sobre el derecho de consulta previa, libre e informada en el marco de los derechos de participación reconocidos en el Principio 10 de la Declaración de Río. También abordamos un análisis profundo de los dos proyectos de ley sobre el derecho de consulta previa, sobre todo el derecho de pueblos, nacionalidades, comunidades y comunas a ser consultados antes de que el Estado adopte normas y leyes que puedan afectar sus derechos colectivos.

Como resultado ponemos a consideración varios argumentos y conclusiones que esperamos contribuyan como un insumo técnico-legal a la discusión social sobre la regulación del derecho de consulta previa, libre e informada; y que de igual forma puedan ser considerados en el segundo debate de la Ley Orgánica de Consulta a las Comunidades, Pueblos y Nacionalidades del Ecuador.

El proyecto en mención tenía como objetivo principal el transmitir y amplificar los éxitos y las lecciones aprendidas generadas en procesos de reforma normativa realizados en otros países de la región, como el proceso de reforma al Reglamento de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental chileno, con el apoyo de Corporación Participa. En una primera fase se planteó identificar oportunidades de reforma en la legislación ecuatoriana.

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