72
J. van der Weide . 1. de Vrees
4.2.4
The Actions
The present paper focuses on the actions required to facilitate the use of the approach
in the various phases of the process. Following the Xiamen recommendations, actions
should guarantee:
• The active involvement of stakeholders;
• The integration of social, economic and environmental aspects;
• Policy instruments to coordinate administrative and governance initiatives at various levels and in different sectors;
• Technical instruments to support administrative and governance initiatives at variou~ levels and in different sectors;
• The development of human resources.
The above aspects will be discussed in greater detail in the subsequent sections.
4.3
Active Involvement of Stakeholders
A crucial element in ICZM is the involvement of stakeholders in the process of establishing a programme. Most countries have a tradition to have a consultation process
after the main decisions have been made. But as indicated before, governmental policy
is basically about influencing people's behaviour. It is, therefore, essential that in an
integrated process, already during the planning phase the stakeholders are consulted
and participating. There are many forms in which this consultation process can be
executed, depending on the traditions in a country. In western countries, the consultative process is used more and more. As an example a short description of this consultative process, used in the fourth integrated water management policy in the Netherlands
will be given.
The philosophy for this process can be compared with the marketing of a product
which needs to be sold. Therefore, it is essential that the potential "buyers" or customers are known, what th~ir wishes are and how they consume. At first, a vision report
called "Space for Water" was written and discussed with the customers (different authorities at different levels relevant ministries, provincial authorities, water boards),
many user-groups like representatives of recreation sector, fisheries, farmers, drinking water companies, large industries, non-governmental organisations like nature
groups, etc. Their reactions were combined and used in the second report: a rough
outline of the policy plan. Again, a round of discussions and information sessions were
organized, giving opportunity to the identified consumers to react on the way their
first reaction had been dealt with. Although not all wishes could be honoured, the process should make clear what has been done with these wishes. This consultation round
lead to the draft policy plan, which goes f<;>r consultation again. These reactions and
the draft plan needs approval from central government before it is sent to parliament.
Although the lead time for such a process is much longer than in the old manner (first
making the policy plan, after which reactions are asked), it is the experience in the
Netherlands that this time is re-gained again during the implementation phase.
J. van der Weide . 1. de Vrees
4.2.4
The Actions
The present paper focuses on the actions required to facilitate the use of the approach
in the various phases of the process. Following the Xiamen recommendations, actions
should guarantee:
• The active involvement of stakeholders;
• The integration of social, economic and environmental aspects;
• Policy instruments to coordinate administrative and governance initiatives at various levels and in different sectors;
• Technical instruments to support administrative and governance initiatives at variou~ levels and in different sectors;
• The development of human resources.
The above aspects will be discussed in greater detail in the subsequent sections.
4.3
Active Involvement of Stakeholders
A crucial element in ICZM is the involvement of stakeholders in the process of establishing a programme. Most countries have a tradition to have a consultation process
after the main decisions have been made. But as indicated before, governmental policy
is basically about influencing people's behaviour. It is, therefore, essential that in an
integrated process, already during the planning phase the stakeholders are consulted
and participating. There are many forms in which this consultation process can be
executed, depending on the traditions in a country. In western countries, the consultative process is used more and more. As an example a short description of this consultative process, used in the fourth integrated water management policy in the Netherlands
will be given.
The philosophy for this process can be compared with the marketing of a product
which needs to be sold. Therefore, it is essential that the potential "buyers" or customers are known, what th~ir wishes are and how they consume. At first, a vision report
called "Space for Water" was written and discussed with the customers (different authorities at different levels relevant ministries, provincial authorities, water boards),
many user-groups like representatives of recreation sector, fisheries, farmers, drinking water companies, large industries, non-governmental organisations like nature
groups, etc. Their reactions were combined and used in the second report: a rough
outline of the policy plan. Again, a round of discussions and information sessions were
organized, giving opportunity to the identified consumers to react on the way their
first reaction had been dealt with. Although not all wishes could be honoured, the process should make clear what has been done with these wishes. This consultation round
lead to the draft policy plan, which goes f<;>r consultation again. These reactions and
the draft plan needs approval from central government before it is sent to parliament.
Although the lead time for such a process is much longer than in the old manner (first
making the policy plan, after which reactions are asked), it is the experience in the
Netherlands that this time is re-gained again during the implementation phase.