Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The thematic area of 'conflict over natural resources' is complex; it has to deal with
(i) the positive as well as negative functions of conflict; ii) the dynamic and longitudinal
nature of conflict; iii) influences across different levels of scale; and (iv) the involvement
of multiple actors and causes (Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research 2007).
Moreover, such conflicts often have intricate political and institutional dimensions. It
is therefore expected that new types of knowledge, trans-disciplinary research, and
synergy between research and non-research institutions and stakeholder engagement
will be particularly relevant for this thematic area. The programme draws on recent
concepts and approaches as developed or described by, for example, ODI-RAPID (ODI
2004) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
4
The programme explicitly includes attention for cooperation over natural
resources as the alternative option to conflict in order to emphasise the focus of the
programme on concrete impacts and a positive contribution to development.
The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to evidence-based pol-
icy development and practice in the field of conflict and cooperation over natural
resources, and to adequately manage, resolve and learn from conflicts over natural
resources. This objective was divided into three distinct sub-objectives, to contribute to:
1 Providing society with tools and perspectives for evidence-based policy develop-
ment and practice in developing countries-the
Development perspective
.
2 Generating knowledge, high quality research and innovation in the field of conflict
and cooperation over natural resources-the
Knowledge, research and innovation
perspective
.
3 Capacity building of organisations, groups and individuals, including researchers,
policy makers and other stakeholders at different levels-the
Capacity development
perspective
.
The following section elaborates on the organisation and the expectations of this
new programme, as well as the structure and approaches that were adopted. In the
subsequent section, some initial observations are presented on whether and how these
approaches work in practice.
11.2 ORGANISATION, EXPECTATIONS AND
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
11.2.1 Organisation
Based on general NWO principles, different bodies were assigned the tasks of decision-
making and providing advice on the new research programme. Decision-making was
assigned to a Steering Committee composed of representatives of the funding agen-
cies. Advice was assigned to an International, non-Dutch Advisory Committee. Both
governing bodies included members from academia, practice and policy.
Decision-making was especially important in the process of awarding the pro-
posals. From a total of 43 submitted preliminary proposals, 7 were awarded after a
4
http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Programs/Social_and_Economic_Policy/Peace_Conflict_and_Develop-
ment/, viewed August 2011
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