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NEWSLETTER
Issue 5 -
March 2003
PIM
2002 Reportback
The PIM XXIX Conference paid homage and tribute to Elisabeth Mann Borgese, the founder of Pacem in Maribus and the International Ocean Institute (IOI) for her invaluable contribution to the oceans. She raised the standard in the struggle for the promotion of equity and balanced economic growth. Elisabeth Mann Borgese and Arvid Pardo played a unique role in the elaboration of the concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind - the foundation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The conference celebrated the 20th anniversary of UNCLOS, which has become a truly universal instrument with the ratification and accession of 138 countries.
The Conference was cognizant of the need for continued and reinforced international, regional and national efforts to ensure peace and security in the oceans and the seas, effective conservation and management of all ocean resources and protection, and preservation of the marine environment in order to achieve balanced and equitable sustainable development. In addressing its principle theme, “The Ocean in the New Economy,” the conference recognized that the new economy had propelled the integration process to unprecedented heights. These developments combined with an ocean governance deficit created major challenges and opportunities. In this regard, the Conference made a contribution to the follow-up and implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, 2002 through the recommendations and decisions which emerged from the thematic and sectoral discussions and debate which covered:
Resource Management
Ocean and coastal resource usage systems are in need of enhanced governance mechanisms that incorporate stakeholder involvement, foster partnerships, and promote co-management. There is a strong requirement for resource management systems to add value to natural products and to promote indigenous capacity-building.
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Delegates
at PIM2002 |
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Hon.
Rejoice Mabudafhasi |
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L to R:
Dr Awni Benham, Dr Francois Bailet, Dr Kim Prochazka,
UWC Rector Prof Brian O'Connell, Dr Diafara Toure |
Transport
The Conference was concerned with the continued growth of substandard flags of convenience fleets and their implication for the security and environment of the oceans, and recommended the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on Ship Registration adopted in 1986, which would bring to international shipping transparency, identifiability and accountability to prevent abuse and environmental disasters.
Living Space
Planning is essential to ensure that a balance is achieved between economic development activities and the integrity of coastal living space. Particular attention should be paid to land-based sources of pollution which are the major contributors to ocean pollution. Planning must also ensure equitable access to coastal zones and draw on principles of integrated coastal zone management in helping to mitigate user conflicts in coastal zones.
Communication
The technology available in the new economy provides an unparalleled opportunity, if used wisely, to reduce inequities, share knowledge globally and to educate about the ocean. Technology can provide a powerful complement to face-to-face interactions. Therefore, the Conference committed IOI to build on its strength in face-to-face communication and information exchange by using technology creatively to share knowledge and build capacity to manage the oceans for a sustainable future.
Industry
The new economy presents unparalleled opportunities and challenges for sustainable, shared prosperity for all humanity. In an increasingly interdependent world, the contemporary knowledge and technological revolution impact on human endeavors. The tempo, magnitude and complexity of industrial change are increasing rapidly and are likely to continue to do so. Used wisely, sophisticated industrial and information technology can be agents of change for the good of all humanity. With responsible, co-operative governance and management, ocean industries can be not only a benefit to this generation, but also responsible stewards of the ocean for future generations.
Security
Security is a vital pre-requisite to the effective functioning of the new economy. The world maritime community has long experience and sound credentials in building international confidence and co-operation. The IOI has considerable potential for contributing to global mutual confidence, and thus security.
Recreation
The Conference recognized the importance of the rapidly growing eco-tourism industry, including cultural tourism, and the significant contribution that it makes to the peaceful use of the ocean in the new economy. Eco-tourism, if properly planned and managed, has an important role in conservation. The need for youth and women to participate in all programmes and projects, especially those in coastal communities, would allow them to become ecological entrepreneurs, thus strengthening sustainability of the environment and economy and social equity.
Food
The Conference recognized the importance of integrating mariculture for food production with sustainable practices and with community involvement in order to promote social equity and sustainable livelihoods.
The African Leadership Preparatory Committee, established on the occasion of Pacem in Maribus 2002, recognized the need to assist African countries in the implementation of the agreed plans of action contained within national frameworks, the African Process, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and NEPAD, especially in the area of ocean governance. The implementation of these commitments will be key in achieving sustainable development of oceans and coasts in Africa, and should be supported by all stakeholders. The African Leadership Preparatory Committee committed itself to establishing a process to contribute towards effective implementation of the agreed plans of action at regional and national levels through the development of an African Implementation Action Plan for Oceans and Coasts.
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Delegates
who were present at the African Leadership Seminar |
The conference outputs
included:
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The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) message. PIM2002 coincided with the United Nations celebrations of the 20th Anniversary (1982 - 2002)of the Law of the Sea, and the conference sent a congratulatory message to the General Assembly on this important occasion
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The Declaration as it appears on pgs 1 - 2 in this
newsletter
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The Declaration was also published in the Ocean Yearbook.
IOI-SA
Programme: "Online Services"
The number of people with access to the World Wide Web is in the millions globally, and this number is still increasing exponentially. The web represents the single most cost-effective marketing opportunity available today, and no educational institution, organisation or company can afford to ignore its potential.
Web development
The International Ocean Institute at UWC has a team of web developers who develop educational and commercial websites of superior quality and at highly competitive prices.
Your imagination is our only limit!
We will take your web-based marketing to new heights, as we study your educational or commercial product, learn about your market, and design a site that places your company, educational institution or department on the cutting edge of online marketing.
We cut our teeth designing educational websites, and this is our speciality. If you have a need to develop training, educational, or purely informational websites or such materials for your existing website, the web development team of IOI-SA Online Services is your logical choice.
We are aware of modern theories of learning, and have experience in their use in the production of effective online learning materials. Whether you are a company wishing to train its employees, or an educational institution looking to explore web-based instruction, IOI-SA Online Services can produce your online, interactive materials.
The IOI-SA web development team can also take your existing advertising, promotional, or educational materials and use them as the basis for a first-rate website to enhance your promotional or training objectives.
No project is too small or too large for us.
Contact us. You will be surprised what superior know-how can deliver for your money.
We operate for no
profit; all proceeds are put into the development of educational and training materials within IOI-SA, so you will also be contributing to the development of education within IOI-SA and the University of the Western Cape.
Printed materials
The IOI-SA team can also develop materials for print media, including:
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Brochures
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Course materials
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Booklets
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Posters
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Fliers
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Newsletters
Contact us to find out how we can use your existing materials, to create your website or to add life to an existing one. We can turn a dull website into a marketing event for your company.
Contact the Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Jenny Plandt at 021-959-2975 for a free quotation on a website or printed materials.
IOI-SA Online Services
c/o Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
University of the Western Cape
P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535
South Africa
+27 21 959 3412
+27 21 959 1213
http://protea.botany.uwc.ac.za
Staff
Profile: Martin Cocks
Computer Resource Developer at IOI-SA
 When one first meets Martin, it soon becomes apparent that he is energy personified. This vibrant computer resource developer daily tackles the task of successfully coordinating several projects at IOI-SA.
Martin was born in Epsom, in the United Kingdom, which he states was purely ‘by default’. His parents originate from the Eastern Cape and his very pregnant mom accompanied his father, who worked for the government at the time, to the UK. And here Martin decided to make his way into the world.
He grew up in Pretoria together with his sister and parents whom he describes as ‘wild life enthusiasts’. The family annually took a month long trip to the Kruger National Park and their home was filled with many earthly creatures including birds, rabbits and fish.
Martin attended Glen High School and then ventured to Pretoria University were he naturally completed an undergraduate degree in Botany and Zoology. This was followed by an Honours degree in Zoology at the same institution.
In 1989 he moved to Cape Town and due to his keen interest in botany completed an Honours and Masters degree in the field at the University of Cape Town. His Masters thesis focused on various plant species belonging to the rooibos or Aspalathus genus under the supervision of William D. Stock.
His first “real” job was as a researcher at the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute’s Antarctic Research Programme based at UCT. It focused on the effect of bird nutrients on the ecosystem functioning of the nunataks (mountain outcrops) in Droning Maud Land, Antarctica that led to two unforgettable trips to this research area. Bitten by the traveling bug, a year-long trip followed to many interesting and historic destinations including Egypt and Israel.
On his return, Martin completed a diploma in computer science at University of South Africa. He then joined IOI-SA and started a new career in computers and education that merged with his background in biodiversity and conservation. Together with the previous director of IOI-SA, Derek Keats, they created various learning tools, online courses and learning platforms.
This led to the development of UWC’s very own learning management system known as KEWL. Currently there is a range of projects the keeps Martin busy such as KEWL, Ukuvuka, SACIC, Online Services and SeaweedAfrica database, a collaboration between several African and European countries to produce a database of information for seaweeds of Africa including their ecology, harvesting and uses.
Martin’s other interests include cycling, running and working out at the gym. He has a keen interest in gardening and enjoys ‘botanising’ while hiking in the mountains. He and his partner Wolfgang enjoy entertaining when he subjects their friends to his cooking experiments.
He claims that life is something that should not be taken too seriously and believes that one should accept things that life throws at you. During the interview Martin also referred to a philosophical book called ‘The Tao of Pooh’ about ancient Chinese principles of Taoism explained with reference to the stories of Winnie the Pooh. Perhaps we should all read this book as it just might hold the answers to a constantly energised and buzzing nature!
| Environmental
Days/Weeks: |
- World Water Day
22 March 2003
- World Environment Day
5 June 2003
- World Oceans Day
8 June 2003
- World Desertification Day
17 June 2003
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| Did
you know? |
- World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
The World Environment Day theme selected for 2003 is Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It! The theme calls on each of us to help safeguard the most precious source of life on our planet, namely water. This theme has been chosen to support the United Nations International Year of Freshwater, 2003 and the 22 March World Water Day.
- World Oceans Day was first declared as 8th June at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 when over 150 Heads of States signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at Rio de Janeiro.
- World Desertification Day on June 17th 2003 commemorates the ninth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and is observed as World Day to Combat Desertification (Land Degradation) and Drought. This activity is designed to focus the world’s attention on issues pertaining to land desertification (degradation) and drought.
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Enquiries:
Editors:
Tanya Potts Tel. +27 21 959 2594 tpotts@uwc.ac.za
Lucille Oliphant Tel. +27 21 959 2342 loliphant@uwc.ac.za
Deidre Bester Tel. +27 21 959 3782 dbester@uwc.ac.za
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