Bulletin No. 5 October 2000

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Update On Regional Processes

This is the fifth in a series of bulletins about the MMSD project. This bulletin focuses on the development of MMSD at a regional level where parallel research and engagement activities will be undertaken by partner organisations. Regional centres will be established in at least 6 regions; Southern Africa, Australasia, Southeast Asia, North America, Latin America and Europe. This bulletin looks at the first four of these. We hope to include reports on Latin America and Europe in our next bulletin.

Preparing for a Multistakeholder Workshop in Southern Africa

On Aug. 7, MMSD held a meeting at the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg to initiate the Southern African process. A diverse group of 21 experts from the region participated bringing varying experiences and perspectives. The meeting followed a visit in April by the Project Director Luke Danielson and Richard Sandbrook, Project Coordinator, in which they spoke with key organisations interested in the contribution of mining and minerals to sustainable development.

In broad terms, the objectives of this meeting were to

Consider potential geographical boundaries for the Southern African process.

Initiate preliminary discussion of key issues and potential outcomes
for the region.

Consider how to move forward in Southern Africa, including the process for selecting regional partners and establishing an appropriate governance structure.

It became clear at the meeting, that it is not acceptable for the core MMSD Work Group to select regional partners in Southern Africa without a much more comprehensive stakeholder consultation within the region and consideration of a range of possible partners and structures for the process.

It was decided that an 'Interim Work Group' (IWG) would be established, comprising the University of Witwatersrand and the Mineral and Energy Policy Centre, to prepare for a Southern African Multi-Stakeholder Meeting. This meeting will decide which institution(s) should form the permanent partnership, as well as selecting priorities for analysis.

The stakeholder meeting will take place in South Africa, Nov. 16-17, 2000. Preparatory work is underway and includes an extensive consultation exercise to identify and engage with stakeholders, prioritise issues and identify potential partner organisations. Please contact Marie Hoadley at hoadley@iafrica.com for more information about the meeting and consultation exercise.

An 'Interim Steering Committee' composed of 12 representatives from different stakeholder groups from the various countries within the SADC region has also been established. This committee will remain in existence until the November meeting and will provide general advice and support to the IWG and a peer review of its outputs.

A full-time Project Co-ordinator for the Southern African process is actively being sought. Terms of Reference for this position can be obtained through e-mailing libby.wood@iied.org.

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Scoping study on North American Process Underway

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has been contracted to prepare an initial study of how MMSD should be working to establish a regional partnership to move its work forward in North America. It is anticipated that there will be a preliminary draft report by the end of October.

The initial plan is to convene two meetings of a small group of discussants, one in Canada and one in North America to review this report before final revision and release. Those interested in the proposed North American regional process are encouraged to contact Tony Hodge at thodge@anthonyhodge.bc.ca.

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Australian Scoping Study Is Completed

In early September, Luke Danielson had extensive meetings in Melbourne and Sydney with a variety of stakeholders in Australia. This follows an earlier visit by Richard Sandbrook.

Co-incident with this visit, MMSD has released a study by Dr. Fiona Solomon of CSIRO suggesting an action plan for development of the MMSD process in Australia - Australasia. This study is entitled Draft Action Plan Australia and will shortly appear on our website.

MMSD is now involved in preliminary negotiations with the Australian Minerals and Energy Environment Foundation (AMEEF) to act as the management organization for an interim meeting of stakeholders . Those interested in this region should contact frank.mcshane@iied.org.

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Preliminary Visit to Southeast Asia

Luke Danielson and Frank McShane, Co-ordinator of Stakeholder Engagement, visited the Philippines and Indonesia in September.

In these countries they met with numerous members of NGOs, representatives of government, mining companies and other stakeholders to assess prospects for establishing a regional MMSD process in Southeast Asia. They found a high level of enthusiasm for such an effort. Planning is now underway for a broader meeting to focus on how a regional partnership can be established in that area, perhaps in early December.

MMSD is in negotiation with the Philippines based organisation, Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) to manage a preliminary meeting of stakeholders. Those interested should contact frank.mcshane@iied.org.

For more information about the Regional Centres in general, please contact us at mmsd@iied.org or visit our website at www.iied.org/mmsd/.

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OTHER NEWS

Assurance Group Meets in North America

The Assurance Group met at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, USA, Aug. 28-29 to discuss and review the progress of MMSD.

The meeting followed two days of information and discussion sessions for various stakeholder groups, including North American members of the Sponsoring Group, government, industry, researchers, civil society and other interested organisations.

Various presentations were made to the Assurance Group meeting by members of the MMSD Work Group, including a project overview by Luke Danielson, an update on regional processes by Frank McShane and a summary of some of the major themes to be addressed by Caroline Digby, Research Manager. The Assurance Group also had the opportunity to hear directly from interested North American organisations in an Open Forum Aug. 28.

Minutes of the Assurance Group meeting will be posted shortly on the MMSD website at: www.iied.org/mmsd.