CBCRM OR TECHNOFACISM?

Glenn Ismael YmataRegional Assembly of Artisanal Fisherfolk

CBCRM and Trade ConferenceKolongan Beach Indah Hotel

Malalayang Dua, Manado, Indonesia

May 10-13, 2009

What is Technofacism

Techno – short term for “technocrats”

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Facism – being facist

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“TECHNOFACISM”

The Technocrats

Technocracy is a governmental or organizational system where decision makers are selected based upon how highly knowledgeable they are (technocrats), rather than how much political capital they hold.

Technocrats are primarily driven by their cognitive "problem-solution mindsets" and only in part by particular occupational group interests.

Being Technocratic

Technocracy is often thought of as administration of scientists and engineers

In all cases technical and leadership skills are selected through bureaucratic processes on the basis of specialized knowledge and performance, rather than democratic process

Hence, in a technocratic system, social policy is being designed and decided by political scientists or the bureaucrats

Facism

An governmental system where there is lack of freedom and oppression is explicit

Malevolent totalitarianism – systems and policies are imposed with complete dictatorship

Consultation is not needed

Hence technofacism is… A governance where political leaders or

scientists execute policy actions by themselves alone and without due consultation from the constituents

It is a mode of thinking and conduct which treats people not as subject but merely as an object of intervention

It is a mode of thinking and conduct that upholds the primacy of technology and science in solving the limitations imposed by the finite satellite we are in, even if part of it involves social issues

Hence technofacism results to…

Technofacist solutions that are implemented in a very authoritarian fashion

Though, there are technofacist solutions that invite participation but only with the intention to minimize costs and to make it appear as “inclusive” or “empowering”

The WOC2009 and How It Came

EARTH SUMMIT

(UNFCCC)

KYOTO CONVENTION

(Dec 1997)

UN Conference on Environment and

Development(June 1992)

World Meteorological Organization

UN Environment Programme

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1988)

UN Convention on the Law of the

Sea (UNCLOS)

Global Ocean Observing System

Intergovernmental Oceanographic

Commission

Agenda 21

What is WOC2009?

It is a forum for the world community to discuss current issues in the marine field which are related to climate change, and how the world can wisely utilize the ocean to weather crisis

It is expected to create a more aligned global vision and commitments from participating governments and institutions to work together to improve marine resource management.

What are the premises? The climate system and the pressure to the

world’s oceans have dramatically changed since UNCLOS in 1982

UNCLOS did not really address the ways in which governments manage maritime affaires related to the impacts of global climate change on the oceans

The role of the oceans in the phenomena of global climate change

The world experienced economic recessions and crises since 1982

What are the premises? The Asian Financial crisis in 1997 and global

recession today have caused major upsets to the ocean

The recent global recession will threaten the oceans as well because poverty and unemployment will turn global populations to seek means of subsistence from the oceans.

Over fishing and in manners that destruct the ecosystem of the ocean, pollutions and coastal degradation have terribly impacted the balance of marine ecosystem.

Key Issues to Address

There are a number of key issues to be discussed in relation to the WOC2009 theme, including:

Climate change impacts The role of the oceans in regulating

climate change Adaptation and mitigation measures Opportunities for regional and

international cooperation

WOC2009 Targets Increased cooperation between nations in

order to manage marine resources in the context of climate change 

Increased understanding across the global community regarding the vital role of the oceans in regulating global climate

Increased global attention to the need to save small islands and coastal areas as part of facing up to global climate change

WOC2009 Targets

Increased commitment from international bodies and intergovernmental organizations to protect and conserve fisheries resources to ensure food security

Increased preparedness to mitigate disasters caused by climate change

Increased capacity at community level, especially coastal and small island communities, to adapt to the effects of climate change

But What It Really Does?

It is a forum of State Leaders, Senior Officials and Scientists (Marine, Climatologists, High Profile Organizations, etc) No representation from the “real”

stakeholders No consultations done in the developing of

the concept and the agenda

But What It Really Does?

It was bourne out by not by what should be done but what are the opportunities for financial accessAdaptation Fund Board of the UNWB FinancingADB Financing

But What It Really Does?

It is “ocean-centered” not “people-centered”precautionary approach versus food security

and social development of coastal communities

community people is not seen as the major role player but just “partners”

But What It Really Does?

Although the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities is stated, there is no clear and strong provision that would set this concretely It discusses more on what the developing

countries should do and not on the culpability of the developed countries who are to blame for massive exploitation and degradation of marine resources and ecosystem

But What It Really Does?

Actions to be take are more on pure science aspect and social development components are piecemeal and token in natureGreater investment in coastal and ocean

observing systemsResearch and scientific assessment of

ocean conditionsLarge scale restoration approach

In the Final Analysis?

WOC Agenda is environmental but not developmental

It does not address the property right and empowerment and poverty issues

Instead, it will just shift large fishing grounds from open-access to a “no-fishing” zone

It will be a business mainly by the technocrats and a milking cow of billions of dollars that will be infused to these projects, mostly from debt

The Root of the Problem is… Responses should not be focused mainly on the

Climate Change problem Degradation of coastal resources is a result improper

utilization and too much exploitation of our coastal resources

The root of the problem lies not on “people-to-resources” but on “people-to-people” relationship

The imbalance in power and property relations does not only produce and reproduce other socio-economic imbalances but also gave birth, and is giving birth, to the precarious state of the natural environment today

Hence, It Should be like this… Recognition of the basic “property rights”

problem Resolution of the socio-economic and

political issues within the context of realities

People in coastal communities must have greater control and access to resources

To achieve this,

what then should be the key?

The answer lies in YOU!