TOUR DU VALAT
Centre de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes
Nos programmes
Objectifs de l'Observatoire
Mandate of the Observatory
The Observatory of Mediterranean Wetlands will function as a partnership mechanism among countries of the Mediterranean Basin to strengthen existing scientific and data provider bodies, whether by providing them with access to consolidated and harmonized data and analysis on Mediterranean wetlands status and trends or by providing the link with policymakers to make their work more policy-relevant. Similarly this interface mechanism will provide policymakers, wetlands-related managers and other users with science, analysis and lessons learned to help decision-making in the field of wetland protection, use and management covering issues such as biodiversity, ecosystem, land management, adaptative management and sustainable development. In doing so, it is expected to harness networks of scientific experts and the policy communities on Mediterranean Wetlands issues. Progressively, it is also intended to provide a platform of exchange between environment and development actors active in sustainable development programme in Mediterranean Wetlands areas.
Initially, it is envisaged that the main value that the Observatory will add to the scientific, policymaking bodies and other users will be the following outcomes:
- To catalyze, centralize, consolidate, assess and share knowledge on the conservation status and trends of Mediterranean wetlands
- To raise awareness among users and to help decision-making towards wetland conservation and sustainable management and use
- To assess the status and trends of ecological functions, values and services of Mediterranean wetlands in the context of sustainable development.
When the Observatory will have more capacity and experience, the mandate will be extended to :
* Early warning and early lessons learned timely reported to decision makers, in line with international conventions and global changes.
* Evaluation of impact of public policies and strategies on Mediterranean Wetlands.
Objectives of the Observatory
In line with the outcomes of the first international workshop and the vision and strategic Work Plan 2009-2012 of MedWet, the Observatory has three interdependent general objectives:
- Timely and quality inform on Mediterranean wetlands status and trends
- Track measures and threats towards Mediterranean wetlands protection and sustainable management and use
- Assess Mediterranean wetlands dimension in the Mediterranean context of sustainable development.
While the first objective tends to inform on quantitative and qualitative consequences - status and trends - of Mediterranean Wetlands dimensions (ecosystems, biodiversity, services, values, etc.), the second objective tends to track and inform on core and secondary causes – external forces including human factors, climate changes and natural disasters – explaining the consequences and dynamic of changes of Mediterranean Wetlands. The last objective tends to assess, in a broader and evolving context and cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) of sustainable development, the relative weight given to Mediterranean Wetlands – policy, strategic and institutional changes - through their recognized values, functions and services.
The interdependence of these objectives will allow the Observatory to inform, share and influence on causes and consequences of Mediterranean wetlands status and trends as well as on challenges faced by wetlands users, managers and decision makers in the evolving context of sustainable development. Additionally, it will identify key challenges to be addressed in the coming decades and recommend clear, quantified and localized objectives for the MedWet Strategy and Work Plan.
A strategy for a sustainable Observatory
An observatory is one of mechanisms to inform and measure status and trends of a given situation or subject. It effectively helps decision making when objectives are well formulated and based on needs and expectation to the targeted users including decision-making bodies and if products and services are timely provided with required quality.
A review and lessons learned from different Observatory processes show that unfortunately, several Observatories have not shown particular added value, have not boosted and sustained enough active interest and participation, have not been operated with sufficient performance and adaptative management, have not started institutionally after a long preparation process. For those Observatories, utility and added value were often questionable and then institutional and financial sustainability were not ensured.
For timely and quality information, it is suggested to start operating the Observatory with limited themes (3 to 5) and limited indicators (about 20 indicators). Another strategic option is to start some indicators on selected sites in the Mediterranean region presenting comparative advantages such as active network and partnership, knowledge capital, data availability, etc.
Based on lessons learned and taking into account the evolving context of globalization, harmonization of international conventions and commitment towards sustainable development and environment protection, the strategy of the Observatory of Mediterranean Wetlands process will be built towards utility and performance ensuring its sustainability, the three dimensions being inter-related and mutually reinforcing themselves. The success of the building process and operation should show a comparative advantage and added value recognized by the users including data providers, for the benefit of the wetlands protection, use and management.
Utility
- Respond to the need and interest of the different categories of users (data providers, decision-makers, civil society, associations, scientists, researchers, etc.) and develop their interest through active participatory methods, feedback and information sharing.
- Regular update of identification of users for which the Observatory represents an added-value, and identification of their evolving common and respective needs and expectations.
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Respond to specific needs to influence attitude and behaviour towards increased Wetlands conservation and their improved use and management :
- Help to better understand and decide in their area of responsibility, to better value their initiatives, knowledge and expertise
- Bring an additional service, a technological innovation or a method that may solve a problem or improve a situation. - Depending of situation, foresee, inform or accompany dynamic of changes within a conservation and development compromise.
Performance
- Coherence in the Observatory logical framework between objectives, strategy, results and activities of the Observatory.
- Regular review and adaptation of Observatory strategies to maintain performance (Operational strategy, communication strategy, participatory strategy, services and products strategy, etc.).
- Efficient partnership and share of information with recognized value-added
- Appropriate feedback and communication capacities towards all categories of users.
- Efficient cross-cutting communication strategy and operation.
Sustainability
- Financial sustainability of the Observatory through an efficient managerial and operational structure with partners.
- Institutional sustainability using existing network, competencies and experiences.
- Maintenance and development of quality services.
- Continue to progressively switch from a rather segmented management of result and project oriented actions to a more integrated programme built on expected impacts on which will be conceived and proposed projects and results contributing to these expected impacts.
- Flexibility and adaptation of the Observatory to accommodate evolving trends linked to global changes and institutional, policy, socio-economic and security environment.