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The Development of Networks
of People's and Non-Governmental Organizations at the National,
Regional and International Levels
Network building to promote sustainable management
of natural resource can be implemented at various levels with
various objectives. At the community level, network building
follows the ecological approach of natural resource management
whereby community resided in the same ecological area meet
to share information, experiences and knowledge in natural
resource management. They can collectively work out possible
solutions to address problems and conflicts present in their
areas.
This is particularly significant since different
natural resources found in the ecosystem have a close relationship
with each other, with no distinct boundaries, unlike administration
management and local governance boundaries. As seen in the
case of watershed management, the sustainable approach for
this ecosystem requires the collaboration of communities residing
in both upstream and downstream areas since any intervention
of those who live upstream will subsequently lead to impacts
to the communities downstream.
Since problems related to natural resource
management and the environment are derived from structural
problems and policy loopholes, collaboration between community
organizations both within and between ecosystems as well as
regional networks must be formalized. The community must be
allowed to participate in the political process and have political
space to collectively demand their fundamental rights in determining
the direction of national development as well as taking part
in the decision-making process, from the initial stages to
the end.
It is believed that network development and
expansion is also a strategy for capacity building for community's
organizations. This is possible through forums where experience
and information can be shared. For instance, international
forums where representatives from countries that share similar
concerns regarding natural resource management meet and share
problems as well as strategies for the people's sector to
move forwards.
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