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The Human Ecology Forum for 27th November 2009:
PLEASE NOTE: for 2009 the Human Ecology Forum will be returning to its old operating time of 10am-12 noon.
The role of collaborative governance for managing socio-environmental complexity in the case of the Murray Darling Basin.
Forum Theme: No Themes!
Mike Bennell - PhD Scholar, Research School of Social Sciences ANU
Thesis Abstract:
In the Murray Darling Basin the challenge of effective management is exacerbated by complexity in administrative borders and multi and cross scale ranges of governance on top of that in ecological and social systems. Government action currently privileges centralised control directed and informed by elite institutions. However, complex socio–environmental systems often exceed the capacity of expert evaluation and formal problem solving structures. It is proposed that adaptive and creative responses are enhanced by incorporating multi-actor structures consisting of state and civil contributions in a process of collaborative governance where the desired outcome is the mobilisation of free action by capable actors.
If collaborative governance is to play a meaningful role then a contextual understanding of the dynamics that operate in its emergence is needed. This includes an understanding of conflict dynamics that acknowledges the political and strategic positions of actors and the role of deep-rooted learned and socialized values and needs. Cases with self directed community groups responding to local environmental issues will be taken as focal points to evaluate collaborative processes and consider how collaboration is can be at times largely achieved and at other times potential tends to be frustrated. The aim is to elucidate the principles at play by concentrating on specifying small and medium sized mechanisms for human action and interaction. Social dynamics that occur in the emergence of maintenance of the group through time and the interactions with encompassing institutions at multiple scales which influence processes and affect regional integration will be examined.
Together with published international experience the goal is to conceptualise new settings in which policymaking and implementation take place, and to consider how this can change the character of the political game in securing a future for Australian water resources.
Past Forum Presenters:
For previous presentations from 2009, please go to the 2009 archive.
Photography courtesy of Alan Fox
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