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GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION WORKSHOP ON EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES, AGRI-BUSINESS AND HYDRO POWER
27 – 28 September 2007
Responsible Organization:
Asia Indigenous People Pact Foundation
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1. Introduction
The project proposal “Greater Mekong Sub region Workshop on Extractive Industries, Agri-Business and Hydro Power” (or GMS Workshop) has 2 main components namely the preparation for the workshop and the selection, coordination and preparation of participants to the workshop (see Annex 1 and 2). This report will focus only on the GMS workshop, which was funded by ICCO and Oxfam America. The report will elaborate on the activities organized, outcomes and impacts of the activities, problems/difficulties faced, the evaluation of the activities and present the financial report.
2. Activities Organized
2.1 Preparation of the GMS workshop on EI, AB and HP
In accordance with the recommendation of the Asia regional conference on “Democratization and Peace Building” of ICCO-Kerkinactie partner organizations in October-November 2006, it was decided to organize the Greater Mekong Subregion Workshop on Extractive Industries, Agri-Business and Hydro Power. Asia Indigenous People Pact Foundation (AIPP), as a regional organization was assigned the responsibility to host the workshop. Preparation started with a brainstorming meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on February 2007. A small Steering Committee (SC), consisting of the core participants of the Phnom Penh brainstorm meeting was formed to assist AIPP with the process of the workshop.
Funding for the Workshop, estimated to require 30,540 US Dollar, and a Proposal for the workshop was processed and sent to ICCO and Oxfam America, in which both organizations committed USD 25,540 and USD 5,000 respectively.
The SC met in July 2007 to finalize the venue, date, participants and program of the proposed workshop. AIPP as the host organization of the workshop was responsible for the finance, but was also tasked with the overall regional coordination of the workshop. AIPP assigned the task of organization the workshop to Information and Dissemination Manager (IDM) of AIPP. The task of the IDM of AIPP were basically to prepare the background documents, program, guide questions, case studies, resource papers, invitation, selection and follow up of the participants, arrangement of venue and other logistical needs. All these were done in consultation with the Secretary General of AIPP and the SC members. The other staff of AIPP also cooperated in organizing this workshop.
2.2 Preparation of Resource Papers and Case Studies/Country Presentations
Based on the decision of the SC at its meeting, resource papers and case studies were commissioned to provide the most recent updates on selected issues. This was endorsed by the SC. Six resource papers were presented in the workshop, namely:
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Large-scale Mining in the Mekong Region – Ms. Megan MacInnes on behalf of Warwick Brown (Oxfam America)
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Plantations in the Mekong Region – Mr. Montree Chantawong (TERRA)
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Regional Trends in Hydropower – An overview – Ms. Pianporn Deetes (SEARIN)
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Presentations on Standards, Tools and best practice Guidelines in the Mining/oil and gas – David
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Sharing on experiences in campaign and networking on Oil Palm Plantation – Norman Jiwan (Sawit Watch)
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Sharing on experiences in campaign and networking in the Mining Sector – Windel Bolinget (CPA)
Eight case studies and country presentations were also prepared to enrich the discussions of the workshop. AIPP, in consultation with the SC, finalized the outlines/guidelines for the resource papers, case studies and the country presentations (see Annex 3). The case studies and country presentations were from:
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Cambodia – Cambodia Country Presentation - Kim Sereikith and Srey Sras Panha
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Lao PDR – Hydro-power Development in Lao PDR and Rubber Plantation Movement in Laos: conflicts over Land and Live hood Security - Noimaniphone Lorbliayao
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Vietnam – Bauxite Mining ‘Post Social and Encironmental Impact Concern’ – Pham Quang Tu
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Burma – Country Presentation, Burma - Naing Htoo
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Thailand – Environmental Impact on our Planet – Boonsak Tongdee and Health Impact of Coal Mining – Maliwan Nakwiroth
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China – Stop Mining on the Saint Mountain ‘case of Gelozong in NW Yunnan’ – Yin Lun and Rubber plantation in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan – Kang Xiaofeng
All the authors of the resource papers, case studies and country presentations were invited to the workshop. Warwick Brown of Oxfam America could not give his presentation and Megan Macinnes of NGO Forum, Cambodia gave the presentation on his behalf.
2.3 Organizing the GMS Workshop
The GMS workshop on Extractive Industries, Agri-Business and Hydropower was successfully organized in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 27-28 September 2007 (inclusive of 26 September as arrival of the participants and 29 September as departure). More than 60 participants, documenters and interpreters attended the workshop – 37 from outside Thailand and about 25 local participants (see Annex 4, some of the participants were not included in the participants’ list for security reason). Among the activities of the workshop were the formal opening of the workshop; presentation of resource papers, country reports, and case studies; sharing of experiences; country group work; panel discussions; plenary discussions to define strategies and action plans; formation of committees; adaptation of follow up plans; networking sessions; and holding of a cultural evening. (see Annex 5).
The main aims of the workshop were to serve as a group sharing and analysis on the of Extractive Industries, Agri-Business and Hydro power projects in the region; to provide a venue to share experiences of its activities and impacts; to form committees on various issues related to Extractive Industries, Agri-Business and Hydro power; and define action plans at the Mekong sub region, national and local levels.
3. Outcomes and Impacts of the Activities
A full report of the workshop (see Annex 6), including images, resource papers, case studies and country reports (both in reports and PowerPoint formats) were among the documents produced from the workshop. These documents were burned into CDs at the end of the workshop and given to all participants prior to their departure or mailed to participants who left before the completion of the report.
AIPP, as the local host, coordinated the event well and participants particularly appreciated the panel discussions, formation of committees and strategies and future action plans. For AIPP, it was another opportunity to network and learn about organizing sub regional workshops.
There was a balanced participation of women and men, as well as youth and elders and those who are new and experienced in advocating for the rights of indigenous and communities related to large-scale mining, plantations and hydropower projects. As a result, the qualities of the presentations were good, with detailed data on some of the industries in the region. Judging from the number of participants who signed their name up to attend the workshop, the action plans that were made, formation of various committees and sub regional network, the workshop appeared to have created a lot of interest on extractive industries, agri-business and hydropower projects and its related issues.
The workshop also allowed several organizations and the AIPP to have a closer relationship.
4. Problems/Difficulties Faced
The main difficulty faced during the workshop was the inability to hand out printed copies of some of the papers presented prior to the sessions because the original documents were handed in late. However, credit goes to the staffs of AIPP who were prompt in dealing with such situation within a short time. During the workshop, there were some logistical and health problems as well but were eventually overcome. The other problem was the political unrest in Burma which disrupted the active participation of some of the participants. Few registered participants cancelled or did not show up in the workshop due to the political unrest in Burma. Some registered participants from China and other countries had to cancel their participation due to other engagement/commitment and failure to obtain a visa. The replacement of participants from Thailand and Vietnam without prior notification also caused some problem in the logistical arrangements.
There were some difficulties in translation but the help of the interpreters from Thailand for the Laos and Thai participants, and among the Cambodian participants and the use of efficient equipment facilitated the discussions. It is recommended that future meeting supports interpreters and the rental of such equipments. Having to use English as a lingua franca during the Workshop, which is not a native language to participants from the region, posed a challenge. However, this was overcome with the use of PowerPoint presentations, illustrated posters as well as audio-visuals.
5. Evaluation of the Activities
This workshop on Extractive Industries, Agri-business and Hydro power was a well resourced and well prepared workshop. The presentation of the resource papers and presence of experienced participants enabled good discussions and information dissemination. Several resources that were made available by the Secretariat of AIPP and the resource persons also helped in supporting the activities in terms of understanding the issues. It is therefore recommended that funding for the preparation of resource papers should be made in future meetings.
An active Steering Committee also helped in ensuring the activities are well-organized and well-prepared. Jannie Lasimbang and Chinkhanmuan (AIPP) led in the logistical preparation and guides for resource papers, case studies and country presentations and materials; Roger Henke and Warwick Brown led in fund raising; Dam Trong Tuan, Mathew Peter Coghlan (adviser), Jannie Lasimbang, David and Megan Macinnes led the preparation of the program and other inputs.
Selection of participants who had experiences in the impacts of the mining, plantations and hydropower projects enhanced the discussions throughout the workshop.
6. Financial Report
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Funding proposal for a GMS Workshop on Extractive Industries and Agri-business
1. Introduction
The origins of brainstorming about this topic on regional level lies in an Asia region Democratization and Peace Building conference of ICCO-Kerkinactie [1] partner organizations in Chiang Mai (30 Oct – 2 Nov 2006). The consensus was to go for a staged approach of exploring if and how to engage in regional networking: as a first step a small, low cost brainstorm meeting to see if there is an identifiable need.
On 19-20 February 2007, Speri and the ICCO-Kerkinactie program coordinator organized a brainstorm Meeting in Phom Penh on cross-border aspects of corporate interests in natural resources in the GSM Region [2]. This initiative was taken upon the realization that:
- The concessions granted to larger corporate interests in natural resources, especially in mining and plantations are emerging on the national NGO agenda’s in all GMS countries, but only just so;
- Some of the companies involved, e.g. BHP Billiton work on both sides of shared borders;
- Some of the companies involved come from neighbouring countries, e.g. Vietnamese plantation companies in Laos;
The objective of the brainstorm was to explore the need and possibilities for NGO activities at a regional level. In the brainstorming meeting the situation in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam was shared. The evening before, the situation in Thailand was discussed.
Also an overview of what kind of networks and initiatives exist has been made. Then conclusions were drawn and follow up was discussed.
The participants of the brainstorm (see final report) reached a consensus that:
- Given the importance of natural resources exploitation and extraction (extractive industries, agri-business, hydro-power) for the development of all countries of the GMS region;
- Given the speed of developments in these sectors;
- Given the seriousness of the impacts on those living in the areas, often ethnic minorities, on the environment, and - through revenue management impacts - also on the governance, economy, and stability of countries;
- Given the commonalities across countries, e.g. the insatiable Chinese demand for resources and energy, the same companies operating in various countries, etc.;
- Given the increasing regional coordination of governments, e.g. the agreement for policy coordination regarding their (highland) border areas between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (December 2006);
- Not yet matched by regional CS information exchange and coordination regarding these issues;
There was the need to ensure follow up to this brainstorm.
2. GMS Workshop on Extractive Industries and Agri-business
2.1 Objectives
The following general objectives for follow up were agreed upon:
- Further information exchange;
- Amongst a more representative group of GMS CS;
- Of both knowledge and experiences;
- In order to confirm the trends identified during the Phnom Penh brainstorm;
- And have better insight in effective ways to engage CS;
Other widely accepted suggestions were:
- Involve other stakeholders, especially media, academia, and lawyers;
- Involve Chinese CS and/or resource individuals/organizations;
- Involve those, close enough to communities to ensure communication of relevant information to the people directly affected/at risk;
- The need for communication tools (a toolkit) to get this information out in an accessible form;
In summary: The overall objective [3] for this meeting is for CS groups from all six countries of the GMS region to share knowledge and experiences regarding trends in extractive industries and agri-business and their impact on communities and the environment in order to consider and develop an action plan for effective engagement.
Specific sub-objectives are:
- Information exchange of knowledge and experiences with extractive industries and agri-business;
- Explore the commonalities across borders and strengthen the shared understanding of regional trends;
- Identify the level and location of interest in further activities;
- Develop an action plan for further activities.
Results
By this workshop knowledge and experience of each organization and participant will be strengthened with regard to regional developments for extractive industries and agri-businesses.
The main result is an action plan that is expected to address at least the following issues:
- Awareness raising/communication strategies
+ Re communities
+ Re policy makers and media
- The engagement of academics and lawyers
- The engagement of Chinese CS (and academics and lawyers)
- The production of a toolkit of material that can be used in awareness raising and information sharing
- Other strategies for engaging CS in effective lobbying, especially
+ Re business (lobby for standards);
+ Re multilateral organizations (WB, ADB)
- The need for more formalized networking
2.2 Location, time and organizers and participants
During the brainstorm NGO Forum offered to be the local organizer again for the larger follow up. However further discussions revealed a preference for a regional organization as the host and AIPP has agreed to play that role [4].
A small Steering Committee consisting of core participants of the Phnom Penh brainstorm meeting is going to assist AIPP with the agenda of the workshop.
The location will be Chiang Mai.
The planned dates are 13-16 August 2007
We aim for max. 50 participants mainly from local civil society organizations
- With 5 participants from each GMS country
+ Selected on the basis of their ability to collectively access the major information available about what is going on at national level;
+ Selected on the basis of their ability to report on practical experiences that suggest feasible/effective ways of CS engagement;
+ Selected on the basis of their ability and willingness to describe this information in terms of a common format so as to enable better comparisons;
+ Selected on the basis of their interest in exploring the importance of including a regional perspective and their commitment to act upon outcomes of the workshop;
+ Selected on the basis of their ability to act as a bridge to the other CS actors within their own country for whom this is relevant;
+ Across countries: to ensure the presence of some academics, lawyers and journalists;
- With some extra seats for the hosting country, some extra seats for resource persons, and some extra seats for participants from Southeast Asia.
Participants for the coming workshop will be suggested by participants from the brainstorming meeting, especially with regard to their own country. The steering committee will make the final decision. Aim is that the majority of the participants are local civil society organizations.
Organizational data
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation (AIPP)
108 Soi 6 Moo 5, Tambon Sanpranate,
Amphur San Sai, Chiang Mai 50210
Thailand
Tel: 66-(0)53-380168
Fax: 66-(0)53-380752
Main contact person for organization of workshop in Thailand
Jannie Lasimbang, Secretary General
Secretary for Steering Committee (all content wise development of the workshop):
Roger Henke, Coordinator ICCO-Kerkinactie
Advisor Steering Committee
Warwick Brown, Lead Regional Program Officer Mekong River Basin Management (MRBM) program of Oxfam America
Other members of Steering Committee:
· Matthew Coghlan – consultant
· David Allan – Worldconcern (MM)
· Jannie Lasimbang - AIPP (TH)
Budget
See attached
Planning
Decision-making face-to-face meeting steering Committee: week of June 4
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Annex 2
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 11 JUNE 2007, PP: GENERAL ISSUES
Present:
- Jannie Lasimbang (AIPP)
- Muan Gualnam (AIPP)
- Dam Trong Tuan (SPERI)
- David Allen (Concern Myanmar)
- Russel Peterson (NGO Forum)
- Warwick Brown (Oxfam America)
- Roger Henke (ICCO)
Decisions taken:
- Move planned dates from 13-16 August to 26-29 September (more time required for proper preparation)
- Include Hydro so as to cover all “extractive” industries. The rationale for this is the following:
+ The specific focus of this workshop is on engagement possibilities with companies for and on behalf of impacted, especially Indigenous peoples. Impacts themselves are already quite well understood; around specific developments there is already alignments of local actors; but CS normally defines the issues of non-inclusion of impacted communities, resettlement, absence of benefit-sharing, mitigating social and environmental impact, etc. as problems of “good governance”. The question of how to deal with the companies involved, taking the concepts of corporate social responsibility and the concepts of standards and safeguards as an entry point, is largely uncharted terrain.
+ From this perspective it makes sense to include all three extractives, especially because this will increase the possibility for identifying some interesting good practice examples.
- There is no reason to postpone the inclusion of representatives from impacted communities in an event like this. This will make the workshop design undoubtedly more complex because it diversifies the “audience” of presentations immensely. However, it can hardly be too early if it is about inclusion so this complexity is to be accepted. We aim for about half of the participants/GMS country to represent impacted communities.
- An action plan as an intended outcome is quite an ambitious goal. The least is to have a more representative steering committee for any possible future regional follow ups.
Program Outline
Program outline was not discussed as such but suggested program elements were listed. Below this list plus some thoughts added. The written suggestions by Matthew are also included.
- Rationale of the workshop (someone from steering committee, possibly the host?)
- Regional overview of trends regarding the three extractives; possibly visualizing (map) what is playing out where. (To be prepared by Oxfam America)
- Matthew’s suggestion: Determine 5 key regional trends: e.g. FDI flows/approved investments, GMS project influence, political situation, civil society space.
- One presentation per country; this should follow a template that allows us to focus on commonalities. In general, a focus on government makes for diversity, so the commonality is to be found through a focus on the companies involved. So at country level, taking Matthew’s suggestions as an entry point (formal policies, government involvement, company practices, local impacts, NGO responses) this might imply: for each sector, (kinds of) companies involved, their engagement practices, local reactions, NGO involvement.
- For each country one of the representatives of an affected community could present one case highlighting impact and all of the above (Matthew suggested powerpoint templates for the country presentations).
- Presentation on the principles of transparency and benefit sharing rights from the community perspective.
- Presentation on charters, standards, guidelines etc. in the mining sector (David)
- Presentation on experiences of networking on these issues (E.g. Sawit watch; AIPP can suggest names and interesting case)
- Case study on multi-stakeholder engagement (Philippines, Indonesia; Warwick can suggest)
- Short presentation on international standards and mechanisms related to IP rights
- Panel of companies (BHP, Oxiana, ....)
Matthew made some more specific outline suggestions that are still relevant but were not discussed.
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Annex 3
GUIDE FOR THE WORKSHOP
Session 1: Overview of Trends: If possible, please identify companies that are operating in your country and their activities as well as the current trends in terms of investments, and laws and policies on extractive industries and agribusiness.
Session 2: Country Presentations: Please prepare your country presentation. Each country is given 30 minutes each – so please divide your time between the different participants. We encourage you to present at least one case study on any of the specific issue of mining, plantation or hydropower. We suggest a maximum of 5 slides which will convey your message clearly.
Kindly email your presentation to us by September 25, so we can make copies. We encourage you to make powerpoint presentations to assist better understanding of your presentation.
Some guide questions:
· What is the status of local ownership over indigenous resources (e.g. land and forest)?
· What and how do companies (e.g. mining, hydropower and plantations) deal with realities of local ownership?
· What and how do the local and central government deal with these above issues?
· How effective is the participation of indigenous/local communities in the process of development and policy making?
· How do CBOs, local and international NGOs position their missions and strategies to deal with the above issues and initiatives of different CBOs?
Session 3 : Identifying Networking Status
· List of key activists in mining, plantation and hydropower; their background and positions (e.g. progressive parliamentarians, active media, social activists, NGO leaders, progressive local authorities, etc)?
· List of organizations involving in different issues such as mining, hydropower and plantations?
· Strategic concerns of those above stakeholders (e.g. local capacity building, local awareness raising, exchanging / visit tours, lobbying skills, etc)?
Session 5: Strategies and Action Plans
· What are some of the successful strategies in addressing the impacts of mining, plantation and hydropower on indigenous and local communities?
Suggestions on strategies and follow-up plans. Some examples can be on case studies after the workshop, direction / vision and cooperated action plans of the local communities or social activists, local NGOs, independent scholars, active media, progressive parliamentarians, etc; and suitable approach of networking among different social actors involved.
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Annex 4
GMS Workshop on Extractive Industries, Agri-Business and Hydro-power. Chiang Mai, Thailand – 27-28 September 2007
Host: Asia Indigenous People Pact Foundation
Sponsors: ICCO and OxfamAmerica
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Annex 5
GMS Workshop on Extractive Industries, Agri-business and Hydro Power.
Chiang Mai, 27 – 28 September 2007
[1] ICCO-Kerkinactie are two NGO donors who are part of a programmatic Dutch donor alliance and have recently merged their operational departments.
[2] Final report available; funding for the brainstorm was provided by Speri.
[3] This initiative can be understood as complementing the Publish What You Pay coalition. PWYP focus on revenue management aspects, and currently plan for an Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop (August 2007, Bali).
[4]Oxfam America has agreed to support AIPP office to ensure the required capacity for organizing such an event does not affect ongoing programs. This is Euro 3000 for organization and administration.
