5
Recommendations
The recommendations in this section are based on research on local and indigenous knowledge (LINK) implemented in Indonesia, Philippines and Timor-Leste and draw out the lessons, policy actions and tools elaborated in the previous sections. The objectives of these recommendations are to facilitate the integration of LINK with science and technology to increase coastal and small island (CSI) communities’ resilience against hydro-meteorological hazards and climate change impacts, and to promote the development of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials that facilitate this process.
support and commitment of government entities are integral to enable communities to strengthen their knowledge, capacity and preparedness. In terms of geographical scope, these actions are directly relevant to actors in island Southeast Asia, but could also be adapted by any actor in a small island or archipelago country with vulnerable populations living in CSI regions.
The primary beneficiary of actions included in these recommendations is CSI communities that are most vulnerable to such hazards and their impacts. Actions that can be taken by all parties who play a role in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are included: national government agencies dealing with disasters, climate change, coastal management, gender, and education; local governments; and communities themselves. The
In this section, actions that need to be taken by the following government agencies at the national level are outlined: disaster risk reduction and management; climate change; coastal management and fisheries; and education. Although many countries do not have special government agencies on gender, gender is also included as an entry point, due to its significance when discussing LINK and vulnerability, as mentioned above in section 1.3.
5.1 National governments
Table 5.1: Recommended actions and policy support to promote local and indigenous knowledge at the national level Entry point/related line agency Disaster risk reduction and management Climate change adaptation
Actions and policy support •
promote the identification, documentation, validation, and integration of LINK in each field • strengthen existing CBDRM activities or climate change adaptation plans by integrating LINK • support network-building and partnerships that support LINK • include LINK in IEC materials • build capacities of organizations • include LINK as a component of monitoring and evaluation. develop policies that valorize LINK held by fisherfolk and farmers implement activities that support building the resilience of fisherfolk and farmers based on LINK • promote coastal zone management plans and coastal zone disaster mitigation plans that incorporate LINK.
Coastal management, fisheries, and • agriculture •
Education
• • •
develop policies that promote the integration of LINK in the curriculum encourage extra-curricular activities related to LINK promote research on LINK and integration with science
Gender
• promote the understanding that men and women hold specialized knowledge, and ensure research methodologies take this into consideration • ensure that DRR and CCA strategies based on the integration of LINK do not lead to reinforcement of gender inequality.
Recommendations
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