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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Learning from the Sharp End of Environmental Uncertainty in SIDS

Education in Small States Research Group in the Research Centre for International and Comparative Studies at the University of Bristol, UK
#SDGAction40047
    Description
    Description
    The partnership was initiated at an international conference on the theme of Learning from the Sharp End of Environmental Uncertainty in Small Island States at the University of Bristol in July 2014. The objective of this partnership is to support a wider global process of learning from the sharp end experience of SIDS in dealing with environmental uncertainty and climate change through developing a wide and inclusive network of post-secondary and tertiary education institutions, specialists, and international organisations.
    Implementation of the Project/Activity

    Indicative events include: 1. September 2014: Research coordination meeting at the University of the South Pacific with USP, Bristol and Nottingham Partnership members2. September 2014: Commonwealth Human Ecology Council Side Event at SIDS Samoa Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States,A Commonwealth for the Blue Economy: Sustainable Oceans and Fisheries3. May 2015: Annual conference of the Caribbean Studies Association Working Group on Environment and Sustainability4. Spring 2015: Sazani Associates Annual Conference will allow for Partnership members to share approaches, projects and innovations on the themes of the partnership5. September 2015: A Symposium and/or Special Fringe Event for all Partnership members at the 2015 Education and Development Forum (UKFIET) Conference Terra Sprague as UKFIET Conference Convenor with the 2015 conference theme on Learning for Sustainable Futures6. Autumn 2015: Commonwealth Human Ecology Council in partnership with International Ocean Institute (Malta) and partners including CERMES (tbc), invitation to all partnership members: Sustainability of Fisherfolk Livelihoods and Coastal Communities in the Commonwealth (Side Event Proposal for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Malta 2015).7. Bristol University International Education for Sustainable Development Conference part of Bristol's European Green Capital activities and an opportunity to share learning about sustainability and education in Higher Education, with session lead by Sazani Associates and inputs from the Partnership8. Additional seminars coordinated by Cabot Institute, CHEC and ICS, USP, and other small state tertiary partners during the lifetime of the partnership.

    Capacity

    1. Joint bid writing, research collaboration and output development: Building research skills with partner organisations, especially those in SIDS, towards the progression of current, and development of further research partnerships2. University Professorship Arrangements: Professor Michael Crossley serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of the South Pacific, and as Visiting Professor at Maldives National University, supporting teaching and research training in both institutions. 3. Web platforms for sharing and to support partnership activities: a. e-sharing of outputs from the recent 17-18 July 2014 Conference and Research Workshop on the theme of Learning from the Sharp End of Environmental Uncertainty in Small Island States at the University of Bristol. These products - presentations, videos, blogs and recordings - will be shared among the partnership and available more widely as a way to support wider international learning from the Sharp End of SIDS about the realities of living with environmental uncertainty. b. Website/blog component of a joint University of the South Pacific / British Academy funded, collaborative research project in the South Pacific will allow for researcher reflection and learning about research collaboration processesc.

    Governed

    This partnership builds upon existing collaboration and synergies amongst members of the 20 year strong Education in Small States Research Group (www.smallstates.net) and participants organisations from a July 2014 Conference and Research Planning Workshop on the topic of Environmental Uncertainty in Small Island States. A Steering Committee will be established to coordinate activities of the Partnership. The Education in Small States Research Group will serve as a Secretariat, led by Professor Michael Crossley and Research Fellow Terra Sprague to coordinate communication and activity, including monitoring and reporting of objectives.

    Partners
    Organisations with lead contact individual in brackets:
    University of Bristol Education in Small States Research Group (Professor Michael Crossley and Terra Sprague)
    University of Bristol Cabot Institute (Professor Rich Pancost, Director)
    University of Bristol Graduate School of Education (Dr Angeline Barrett)
    University of Bristol Research Centre for International and Comparative Studies (Professor Michael Crossley, Director)
    University of Bristol Human Rights Implementation Centre (Professor Rachel Murray, Director)
    University of Nottingham, Centre for International Education Research (Professor Simon McGrath, Director)
    Professor Colin Brock (University of Durham, School of Education)
    University of the South Pacific (USP) (Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice Chancellor and President)
    Maldives National University (Professor Ali Shareef, Deputy Vice Chancellor)
    State University of Zanzibar (Dr Mohammed Sheikh, Chair, Centre for Graduate Studies and Research)
    *University of Belize (Jay Coombs)
    Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, St Lucia (Dr Merle St Clair Aguste, Vice Principal)
    University of the West Indies Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (Professor Robin Mahon, Director)
    *Freie Universität Berlin, Environmental Policy Research Centre (Dr Nicholas Watts)
    University of Malta, Institute for Islands & Small States (Professor Lino Briguglio, Director)
    University of Hong Kong, Comparative Education Research Centre (Professor Mark Bray, Director)
    Sazani Associates (Dr Cathryn MacCallum, Director)
    Commonwealth Secretariat (Dr Pauline Greaves)
    Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (Dr Nicholas Watts)
    Indian Ocean Commission ISLANDS Project (Virginie Torrens)
    UNESCO/IIEP (Michaela Martin)
    UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre (Dr Shyamal Majumdar)

    * still to be confirmed

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Project Reports and associated outputs from two research projects: a) joint USP/ British Academy research project drawing out implications particularly for ESD and Teacher Education, and b) study of Resilience in Small Island States drawing out implications for environmental resilience conceptualisations for international discourse strengthening
    Submission of research bid emerging from work undertaken at the July 2014 Conference and Research Planning Workshop in Bristol
    Scoping and enhancing existing research and policy document repositories (online and other) in the thematic content areas represented by the partnership. Making these more visible and accessible. Supporting the development of SIDS-specific components within existing systems.
    Development of a SIDS professional learning community with peer exchange to support development and delivery of contextualised curricular that link sustainable development to local livelihoods
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Researcher and practitioner expertise from those based in Belize, Fiji, Maldives, Malta, St Lucia, UK and Zanzibar
    In-kind contribution
    Meeting spaces and web hosting for seminars, workshops and platforms identified in objectives and outputs
    Financing (in USD)
    Regular programming and extra budgetary sources and resources from Partners for travel and time related to states objectives and outputs
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Secretariat Coordination undertaken by the Education in Small States Research Group
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Secretariat Coordination undertaken by the Education in Small States Research Group
    Title Progress Status Submitted
    Partnership Progress 2021-03-03 On track
    False
    Action Network
    Small Island Developing States
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    Timeline
    01 January 1970 (date of completion)
    Entity
    University of Bristol
    SDGs
    Region
    1. Africa
    2. Europe
    3. North America
    4. Asia and Pacific
    More information
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Terra Sprague, Research Fellow at the University of Bristol Graduate School of Education, Research Centre for International and Comparative Studies and the Education in Small States Research Group