A Distinct Entity within the Somali Civil Society Organizations

                                              

           a) The Network: Formation, Mandate and Governance.

 

The genesis of the RMSN can be traced back to a 1996 initial assessment mission in the field of range management. The assessment mission was funded by Novib (OXFAM Netherlands), while Horn-Relief, a Somali NGO operating mainly in Sanag region, carried out the assessment.

Latter on, as Novib was able also to provide technical assistances (through the services of a resource management specialist), the scope of the activity was redesigned and the project became ‘Somali Livestock and Natural Resources Assessment’

 

The findings of the assessment were discussed in a workshop attended by 30 technical specialists known for their interest in natural resources management issues, and representing local NGOs from all over Somalia.  The workshop was held in November 1996 in the village of Buran - a village typical of the conditions of a Somali rural community with increasing stresses and decreasing resources.

    

The situation analysis showed that the land studied during the assessment presented all the conventional signs of unmanaged use: exploitation without planning.  This fact made clear: 

             -That careful management was what is needed 

             -That planned management has a vital role to play in the future.

 

In the workshop, participants were also exposed to the nature and concepts of Analytical Thinking, the objectives of which were to provide participants with the bases:

 

• To understand how the natural resources of Somalia have arrived in the state in which they were found
• To find causes rather than uselessly attack effects
• To propose and develop actual management plans on a region-wide scale.

 

 Before the end of the workshop, the participants decided to have regular meetings and training in natural resources management.  Thus, after the first training workshop, two more seminars were held. The last workshop, held in September-October 1997, was designed to complete the participants’ exposure to the most current practices and thought on natural resource management (land and marine).

At the end of the session, the group of participating Somali NGOs decided to evolve into a network: the Resource Management Somali Network.

They also created a vision of the future of Somalia with clear structure and guidelines based on the ecosystem; specified action steps to address specific needs; and they have made individual commitments to make their vision a reality.

A futuristic goal was defined and long-term objectives were identified (See Annex 1)

While the main programme objective of the network remains unchanged,

Goal of the RMSN Member Organization

 

”To work with local communities to address the root causes of resource mismanagement problems affecting Somalia and the Greater Horn of Africa”

the RMSN members deal also with diverse issues including, food security, peace, alternative energy sources, health, education, water, community training and awareness creation, income generation, and other relevant related issues.

Holism and ecological vision are the glue, which keep the network together. In this respect, Resource Management International (RMI), in Arizona /USA, provides the main external advisors.

With its strong interest in the institutional development of civil society organizations in post-war Somalia, Novib has shown, so far, long term commitment to support the RMSN and its members. Thus, Novib is the only funding partner of RMSN since its formation six years ago. It funds the activities of the network Co-ordination Office and it channels, through the network, financial assistance to pay for the field-work expenses incurred by network-member organizations.

The RMSN consists of organizations on regional/area basis, and to date (March 2009) the members of the RMSN (13) are:

1) ARAN

2) Action in Semi Arid Lands (ASAL)

3) CANDLELIGHT for Health Education and Environment (CLHEE)

4) Environmental and Animal Health Organization (ENAHO)

5) Galkayo Education Center for Peace and Development (GECPD)

6) Golis Organization for the Saving Environment (GOOSE)

7 Humanitarian Agency for Relief & Development Organization (HARDO)

8) Natural Resources Conservation Organization (NRCO)

9) Regional Marine Conservation Organization (RMCO)

10) Sanaag Cooperation for Resources Development (SCORE)

11) Somali Center for Sustainable Environment and Rural Development (SCSERD)

12) Sool Resource Management (Sool R M)

13) Somali Women Concern (SWC)

 

The highest authority of the network is the General Assembly of network members. It is the network’s policy-maker organ.

A nine –member Board of Directors, elected once in every three years by the General Assembly during annual meetings, governs the Resource Management Somali Network. A network coordination office, based in Bosaso, facilitates communication among members and with external and other stakeholders.

The members expect the following benefits from the network:

1. Sharing knowledge/information
2. Stronger voice in lobbying and advocacy
3. Opportunity to explore new issues
4. Chance to identify needs of communities and to increase community involvement
5. Opportunity to develop common strategy for common goals
6. Chance to learn about differences between areas and communities
7. Learning about improvements in different settings 
8. Mutual support which will improve motivation
9. Role model for younger generations 

 

The member organizations carry their messages to all levels of pastoral, semi-pastoral communities, farmers, fisher folks, grassroots organizations, local authorities, and government agencies.

During the message transfer, the network–members use holistic extension model, guided by the Holistic Resource Management principles.

 

b) VISION, MISSION, GOAL AND GUIDING PHILOSOPHY/CORE VALUES

 

 Vision

The vision of RMSN as contained in its charter was reviewed by the stakeholders to reflect

the future perspectives of the organization and redefined as follows:

 

 

Mission

The mission of RMSN is:

 

“To promote forum and focus for enhancing sustainable management

of natural resources and environment for human well being in Somalia

and the Greater Horn of Africa”

Goal

The goal of RMSN is:

“To contribute to improved livelihood security of Somali community through sustainable management of natural resources and environment”

 Guiding Philosophy/Core values

The core values guide behaviour in an organisation and form the basis of its culture. The

RMSN’s values and guiding philosophies are:

1. Transparency and accountability: RMSN believes in upholding transparency and accountability to all stakeholders (Donors, Beneficiaries, communities and Government).
2. Impartiality, fairness and equity: RMSN believes that all human beings have the right to basic needs. Therefore in its execution of its tasks it will ensure impartiality, fairness and equitable (justified) need-based resource allocation.
3. Integrity and respect: RMSN believes in upholding integrity and respect for local cultural diversity and norms during implementation of its tasks.
4. Community empowerment: RMSN believes in the empowerment of the community to ensure sustainability of the initiatives being promoted. Hence RMSN will strive to uphold consultative decision-making processes with communities to reduce their vulnerability and dependence on external assistance.
5. Networking and information sharing: RMSN believes in promoting collaboration within the networks and enhancing information sharing to increase synergy among its members.

CORE FUNCTION OF THE RMSN NETWORK

1. Forum for information and experience change
2. facilitation of skill development of members
3. initiation of lobby and advocacy for environmental awareness
4. linking members with the ‘outside world’
5. channeling funds to member organization for resource management projects

 OBJECTIVIES OF RMSN MEMBERS

1. To improve quality of life of the partner communities through the promotion of productivity and production systems that are sustainable.
2. To work with local communities and encourage management practices that conserve land and marine resources.
3.  To increase public environmental awareness and advocacy through training, meetings, media, etc.
4. To generate environmental database and share information within the network, with policy/decision makers at national, regional and international levels as well as organizations with similar objectives.
5. To explore alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly
6. To support communities in resolving resource based conflicts.
7. To monitor and document environmental changes in the network coverage area.     

c) Work Approach

Holistic Resource Management (HRM) is the chosen approach used by member organizations of the Resource Management Somali Network

It is about how decisions are made; it is about the ability to make decisions that simultaneously consider economic, social and environmental realities; and it uses a framework for organizing management and decision-making.

HRM is grounded on the thesis that sustainable resource management is possible only if all interacting ecological, economic, and social factors are taken into account in the management process.

 HRM starts with a process of discussion and negotiation during which resource users set    a common goal made up of three interacting parts:

1. Their desired quality of life,
2. The production to attain the desired quality of life,
3. A version of the landscape and ecosystem that will sustain the necessary production. 
   

d) RMSN Concerns

The following are priority environmental concerns of RMSN.

• Land degradation and desertification problems, particularly in relation to the need for food security and self-sufficiency;
• Protection and sustainable use of forests;
• Effective management and protection of biodiversity;
• Water resource issues, including the problem of water scarcity and efficient water management;
• Pollution problems, particularly those affecting freshwater resources as well as urban, coastal, and marine areas;
• Climatic problems, including drought and climate change; and
• Demographic change and population pressures on natural resources.

e) Achievements

From its establishment up to the period of preparation of this strategic plan RMSN has

achieved the following:

 

•   The network has evolved and developed into a formidable organisation addressing relevant environmental issues affecting Somalia/Land. It has also supported teams to evolve into fully registered and functional legal entities.
  
• The network has played a commendable role in the restoration of environmental health through range and wasteland restoration, water and soil conservation, sensitisation and awareness creation among different stakeholders, tree planting, lobbying & advocacy and initiatives that enhance local livelihoods.
• The network has embraced participatory approaches that have involved a wide array of stakeholders and actors in implementation of its activities and hence ensuring sustainability. 
• Gender mainstreaming has been successfully and  effectively integrated in the Implementation of the network activities, and both women and the youth are playing a significant role in implementation and sustaining activities.
• As a forum for information and exchange of experiences – learning, the network has been largely successful, with a website and update of members through emails. The network has recently finalized and approved instruments of organisational governance and procedures. 
• The network has established linkages with local and international organisations operating in fields of interest.
• The coordination office has to a large extent implemented its role and the activities implemented were relevant and have created impact. It has also successfully disbursed funds to member organisations.

f) Future prospects

Despite the achievements of the network over the past eight years, the need for continued work by the network remains very apparent.

Continuous upgrading of our understanding of the environment and the factors threatening it as well as enhancing our efforts towards planned management of the natural resources are fundamental to achieve RMSN goal "to reverse the resource mismanagement and the environmental mistreatment we are witnessing throughout the country".

Any RMSN future prospect must reflect a short-term plan and a long-term perspective. In the first case, organized and vigorous actions are required to stop vested interests reaping huge profits from the wasteful exploitation of forest and marine resources. These actions must include:

-          Challenging the massive charcoal burning activities taking place in the Southern, Central and North-Eastern regions of Somalia

-          Checking the illegal trade of wildlife in Southern Somalia.

-          Denouncing the ruthless exploitation of marine resource by international trawlers.

-          Mounting charcoal campaign within and without the country.

-          Expanding community action to establish management areas

-          Conservation of endangered species and sustainable use of fisheries.

-          Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM)

 

Specific activities will include:

 

Ø       Active and direct participation to Regional Campaigns (charcoal, livestock ban, pastoral rights)                                   

Ø       Launching of a Network Website/Newsletter

Ø       Supporting communities in resolving resource-based conflicts

Ø       Enhancing mangrove planting techniques

Ø       Reaching more people to train in Holistic Resource Management techniques

Ø       Making linkages with external actors

Ø       Collecting and disseminating progress made on technical work undertaken on the ground

The RMSN long-term perspective will be dominated by two main themes:

 

1. (Contextual) link between environment and sustainable development
2. Food security through sustainable land use

 

In this respect, special attention will be paid to:

 

Þ      Land management practices

Þ      Appropriate technology

Þ      Alternative energy sources

Þ      Traditional knowledge

Þ      Knowledge about environmental change and environmental resource loss

Þ      Factors that have caused and/or continue to cause the loss of environmental resources

Þ      Sharing environmental data and information with all stakeholders including policy/decision makers.

 

Annex 1: Goal ( based on HRM)  

Desired Goal:

 

1. QUALITY OF LIFE: peace, justice, equality, prosperity, human rights, freedom, health, education, wealth, democracy, solidarity, self-reliance, confidence, stability, security, sustainability, non-violence.
2. FORMS OF PRODUCTION (to support the defined quality of life) Clean food, peaceful atmosphere, clean water, plentiful food and water, understanding, communication, negotiation, trust, reconciliation, love, honesty, acceptable, awareness, transparency, openness, professionalism, accountability, respect, sustainable resources, confidence. Infrastructure, common interest, money resistance, fair, good education, courts, jobs, opportunities, technology, academics, healthcare, equality, liberty, rights for children, animals, elderly, women etc. 
3. LANDSCAPE DESCRIPTIONS (to support forms of production) 

§         Natural landscape: plentiful. Clean, high quality, available, perennial, covered soil surface, functioning water sheds: optimum live, multi storied, multi aged, feeds are fresh tasteful, nutritious, abundant with great variety, small farms (one family or extended family) predominate: they are environmentally friendly, healthy forest, rangelands, wildlife, life cracks, steams, clean ocean, clean rivers, wetlands exist, livestock are present, soil is fertile, humus, productive sustainable.

§         Human landscape: healthily skilled, well-rounded, education/training creative, happy supportive, motivated, hopeful, dynamic, multi aged, aware self responsible and accountable, flexible, initiative, confident, diverse, openness  drug free, resourceful, productive self-discipline, cooperative, trust worthy, decisive.

§         Economic landscape: industry, exports, technology, infrastructure, resources, security, access, sustainability, professionalism skilled lab our force, investors (including foreign) environmentally friendly industry, diversification of wealth base, use planning for, fair laws, population in board, critical analytical thinkers.