By Noel Oettle (Drynet Coordinator)
The UNCCD recognises the value of the experiences, views and contributions of civil society and provides unique opportunities for observers from NGOs to contribute to the decision-making processes of the Convention. But like with many aspects of life, unless you understand how the system functions, it is not possible to contribute effectively.
Many of us have gone into the negotiating spaces like COPs and found ourselves confused and overwhelmed. At the best of times the processes and procedures seem obscure and the ways in which the Parties (the governments) arrive at decisions are hard to understand. But, as they say, there is method to the madness. And to give a new cadre of younger professionals the opportunity to learn how to operate more effectively in this space, Drynet with the support of the GEF and IUCN has created a mentorship programme to do that.
The first 12 mentees were recently selected to participate in the programme, and all have been paired with mentors who are experienced professionals from civil society who have in-depth experience of the UNCCD, COPs, CRICs, the UNCCD CSO Panel, Intergovernmental Working Groups and the Science-Policy Interface of the UNCCD.
Over the next year the mentors and mentees will engage with each other to strengthen the professional competencies and confidence of the mentees, and to engage with other practitioners to build effective alliances based on common purpose.
The mentors plan to provide the mentees with methodologies, skills and knowledge to engage proactively and effectively with UNCCD negotiators and policy makers so as to promote policies, legislation and regulation that support sustainable land use and livelihoods and inclusive LDN, especially for women and other marginalised groups.
The 12 mentees are from Argentina, Chile, Congo, Guinea, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Niger and Peru.
The mentees will travel to Panama City to participate in CRIC 23 and will also use the opportunity to link up with their mentors to define their learning objectives and plan how they will realise these. If you will be at the CRIC, please network with the Drynet team so that you can meet and get to know them: they will be a significant part of the future of the UNCCD!
In coming editions of the newsletters, we will be sharing some perspectives from the mentees, reflecting how they have navigated the CRIC, as well as their ambitions for COP 17.
The Drynet Mentorship Programme is established in the context of the “Strengthening Civil Society Role in Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality” (CS4LDN) project, which is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The project aims to strengthen the capacity and recognition of civil society organisations (CSOs) to develop a more inclusive and effective approach to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).