|
|
On
Environment
& Development
The inspiration
for launching yet another independent sector organisation came from
the nature of the preparatory
process of the United Nations Conference on the Environment and
Development. Its preparatory mechanism provided for inputs from
all sectors instead of confining it primarily to governmental sector
and to a limited extent to NGOs accredited to the UN. Keeping this
aspect in mind, and acknowledging the diversity of views and focus
that exist in the country on the matters of the environment and
development, a gathering of NGOs felt that there is the need for
an organisation that would gather together these diverse perspectives
in a coherent package and funnel them into the national preparatory
process for the UNCED as well as that of UNCED itself. Thus the
People's Commission was launched, appropriately in conjunction with
the ECO 92 Public Forum held in New Delhi on 19 September 1990.
The format of the mechanism, called "Public Hearing",
as adopted was conceived in order to harvest the variety of perceptions
that exist within the sector. It was designed to bring together
as wide a range of stakeholders as possible in a common forum where
it would be possible for each sector to share and react to the views
of the others on matters of common concern. It was also considered
necessary to hold these public hearings in representative areas
of the country so that a wider cross- section of views is available.
A structured modality has been adopted for these public hearings.
For each hearing, a partner-NGO is identified. Thereafter the issues
of relevance to the people of the area are identified through a
process of consultation with the local NGOs and others, and narrowed
done to 3 to 4 key issues for discussion. A brief lead paper on
each key issue is prepared by an expert and presented at the hearing.
The partner-NGO is required to identify and invite, inter alia,
representatives of grassroots NGOs, women and youth groups, indigenous
people, trade unions, etc., and individuals active in the area of
development and the environment. Besides the independent sector
organisations, representatives of Government are also invited. In
short, within the various constraints, the efforts is to secure
a fair representation of all sectors as well as that of Government.
Subject to the limitation of the time factor, every opportunity
is provided to everyone to express their views. The report of each
hearing is based on the transcript of the audio recording of the
entire proceedings.
The experience of organising 18 public hearings has brought to fore
aspects that have a bearing on the Public - Government interface
through this mechanism. These are briefly discussed hereinafter.
|
|
|
|
