ACT Program Objectives:
The objectives of the Asian Conservation Training program include to:
Strengthen co-operation among institutions in South East Asia
Environmental institutions including NGOs, universities and conservation organisations have generated an immense amount of environmental knowledge in South East Asia. The diversity of these institutions, which range from research oriented bodies that focus on academic research to generate debate, to campaign based NGOs who lobby governments and utilise mass media to inform the public, has made sharing their valuable knowledge capital difficult. The inherent cultural, language and value differences of these institutions have proved to be barriers to cooperation on a national and regional scale.
‘This trip enriched my experiences of working with international colleagues, enriched my knowledge of other cultures and more importantly gave me skills in working in a culturally diverse team.'
Shen Youxin, China, Fruits, Frugivores and Seed Dispersal
The ACT Program promotes effective exchange by giving participants the opportunity to learn first hand of the work of other institutions in their region whilst establishing key contacts with whom to communicate. Through the ACT Program, institutions come to share specific knowledge and information and are better placed to work together to establish consensus when approaching transboundary environmental issues.
‘Every participant was given the chance to talk about their work. We presented a success story and also a problem or conservation issue we were facing. Based on this there was a discussion about the best way to overcome the problem that was very helpful.'
Ismet Khaeruddin, Indonesia, Declining Amphibians of Eastern Australia
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Alleviate Intellectual Isolation
Despite rapid economic growth and increasing rates of higher education, there are still fewer research scientists being trained and subsequently working in South East Asian countries, compared to levels in Australia, Europe or the USA. The sophisticated networks established by scientists in these countries greatly contributes to open and effective scientific collaboration between researchers and has improved the public's understanding of the necessity of scientific research. Such networks have yet to be fully established in South East Asia, leaving many scientists without a direct link to peer achievements and current trends in their field.
The ACT program provides participants with an opportunity to create cooperative professional partnerships. Fellows are placed on Earthwatch supported research projects relevant to their current research. They work closely with the project's research staff as well as scientists and conservation workers from across their region. Teams are actively encouraged to discuss the techniques used during the project and the relevance to their current work, with time specifically set aside for fellows to talk about their roles and the research being carried out by their organisations. These networks will play an important role in facilitating communication and cooperation between individual researchers and their organisations.
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Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes in the Region
Local communities are the major stakeholders in environmental conservation and management plans in Asia. Not only do they hold vital information about the structure and function of the environments in which they live but can also act as a key threat. As population densities increase and developments continue to use large areas of land there is increasing pressure on remaining ecosystems.
Engaging communities in environmental research carried out in their area leads to improved outcomes through increased information and knowledge flows, conflict mitigation and opportunities for local community involvement. By making use of local skills and experience, communities gain a sense of ownership through their active participation and are interested in a project's success.
Establishing and managing stakeholder relations is a difficult process. The ACT program shows participants examples of successful engagement of stakeholders in research projects. Teams participate in stakeholder engagement workshops and learn current techniques for building effective partnerships. They are then encouraged to use these new skills upon their return from the field when implementing a community project of their own.
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Provide Access to Developments in Conservation Science
Earthwatch supported research projects are extensively peer reviewed and are conducted by leading scientists in their fields. ACT fellows are given the chance to work closely with Earthwatch scientists and their research teams, learning first hand about current techniques and approaches to environmental science.
The fellows are encouraged to discuss the aims of their organisations and their specific work and offer any ideas they may have about research project. This results in a flow of information between all members of the team and the opportunity to learn about advancements in conservation science occurring across the region.
The ACT program works to ensure that access to developments in conservation science remains open after the fellow's time in the field. Inter-regional linkages are vital to make certain skill level and experimental techniques are maintained to an international standard in Australasia.
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A Forum for On-going Skill and Knowledge Transfer
Collaboration between scientists is essential to ensure that research addressing transboundary environmental issues in the Southern Hemisphere is of the highest quality and is given sufficient attention on the world stage.
Through participation on the ACT program, fellows are able to build the cooperation needed to ensure that region meets its international obligations as they have access to:
- researchers with specific skills and talents
- geographical regions and environmental conditions that may not be available in their own country
- scientific facilities with specific resources which may not be available in their own country
- the latest advances in their fields
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Increase Earthwatch Networks Across Asia
Earthwatch Australia is committed to supporting research that will help us reach our mission and is relevant to the region in which we operate. The ACT program not only encourages continued relationships between the fellows themselves but also the fellows and Earthwatch. Through our relationship with young scientists and conservation workers in the region we are hoping to expand our reach into Asia and support important scientific and conservation activities in our growing region.
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