of 14
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
1/14
Certification In The Governance
of Coastal Ecosystems
Stephen B. Olsen
Coastal Resources Center
University of Rhode Island
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
2/14
The Governance Dimension
Effective and long-lasting ocean and
coastal stewardship can only occur when
a predictable, efficient, and accountablegovernance system is in place
The National Research Council, 2008
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
3/14
Building the Capacity for Coastal
Ecosystem Governance The low capacity to practice coastal
ecosystem governance is the principle
barrier to sustained progress Investments in capacity building for
practitioners in coastal ecosystem
stewardship are fragmented
Focus on technical aspects
Seldom address the governance dimensions
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
4/14
Diverse Perspectives of Specialists
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
5/14
Epistemic community of specialists with
shared perspectives
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
6/14
Coastal Ecosystem
ScienceScience
Natural & socialsciences
Reliable local
knowledge
Description &
explanation
Experimentation
Coastal Ecosystem
GovernanceGovernance
Societal values
Political priorities
Rules & procedures
Legal mandates
Bargaining &
accommodation
Evaluation of options
Knowledge and Practices to Span the GapKnowledge and Practices to Span the Gap
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
7/14
Capacity Building Options
University degree programs
Usually directed at disciplinary specialization
Emerging T Competencies strategy Short term training
Fragmented and short-term
Lacking in standards
On-thejob experience
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
8/14
The Certification Option Requires
The codification of good practices
Setting standards for specific
competencies Mechanisms by which such standards can
be objectively assessed and verified
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
9/14
A Certified Professional
Is educated, experienced and competent
Complies with defined ethical standards
Will act in the best interest of society andthe public
Certification may define levels of capacity
(junior, senior) or specialization The focus is upon what an individual can do
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
10/14
Capacity To Practice Coastal
Ecosystem GovernanceCombination of knowledge, skills, attitudes on: How ecosystems function and change
How governance processes can influence trajectoriesof ecosystem change
How strategies can be tailored to history and culture ofthe place
How to assemble and manage interdisciplinary teams
National Research Council, 2008
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
11/14
The CRC-EcoCostas Certification
in Coastal Ecosystem Governance Application standards for Junior and Seniorpractitioners
Linked sequence of trainings
A
practicum: development of a governancebaseline for a site An analysis of how the existing governance system
has responded to past/present change
A proposed design that responds to the
characteristics and issues of a specific coastal site Rubrics for the assessment of the 6
competencies
Commitment to a Code of Ethics
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
12/14
PAST
PRESENT
FUTURE
LeadershipAnalisis of Governance
Process & StructuresFacilitation, Mediation,
Stakeholder Engagement
and Public Education
Strategic Designof a oastal Ecosystem
Governance Program
Desing & Implementation
of Monitoring and
Evaluation
ontext
Analysis of Long-term hangesin the ondition and Use of
oastal Ecosystems
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
13/14
MPA-Pro: Professionals in Marine
ProtectedA
rea Management A CRC-WIOMSA collaboration
Three levels of certification
12 competencies include: MPA concepts
MPA legislation, compliance with regulations
Management and operation Stakeholder engagement
Leadership and ethics
8/8/2019 Olsen - Littoral 2010 (Education Centre)
14/14
Thank You!
www.crc.uri.edu
