The next meeting of our Working Group is on 28 February 14:00 GMT, 11:00 GMT -3, 19:30 GMT +5.5, 21:00 GMT +7.  Micaela Trimble, Associate Researcher at the SARAS Institute, Uruguay, will give a talk "Amidst a transition from centralized management to adaptive governance? Reflections from basin committees in Uruguay".

Abstract:

The formation of river basin organizations as multistakeholder forums involving government and non-government actors is usually a sign of a shift in governance. In Uruguay, the water reform had a legal landmark in a referendum in 2004, when the society voted to approve a Constitutional Reform which included the participation of civil society in planning, management, and control of water resources. Since the National Water Policy was passed (2009), 14 Basin and Aquifer Commissions have been formed. Presided over by the Ministry of Environment, they are composed of members of the national/subnational governments, public/private users, and civil society (social organizations, academic institutions). Based on a multiple case study approach, this presentation explores the contributions of basin committees to different dimensions of adaptive water governance in Uruguay. Despite some progress that was observed, the research findings shows that concentration of power in upper government levels, a trait of centralized and hierarchical governance, hinders the potential of basin committees in the transition towards adaptive water governance.

Micaela Trimble Bio: 

Micaela is Bachelor and Master in Biological Sciences (University of the Republic, Uruguay), and PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (University of Manitoba, Canada). She completed her post-doctorates and was an Adjunct Professor at the Center for Marine Studies of the Federal University of Paraná (Brazil) and at the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre at Brock University (Canada). Currently she is Associate Researcher at the SARAS Institute (Uruguay). Her lines of research focus on governance and co-management of social-ecological systems, public participation, and adaptation to climate change. She is currently leading a multi national project on adaptive water governance in South America (GovernAgua Project, GobHidro Project). More information: https://saras-institute.org/associates/ 

Zoom link for the meeting:

https://bristol-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/97501552759?pwd=ekx3UnZjZEJ1Zno1Z0FpUklLcWpSQT09 

Meeting ID: 975 0155 2759 

Passcode: 717996