amaro, nelson, track 4

Toward an Alliance Network for Action

Lessons learned for decision-makers during

a five-year research period on sustainability problems at the Galileo University in Guatemala

MAIN POINTS: The focus is decisión-making:…¿How present Sustainable Development general situation might change starting with what is happening at the

universities? 1. Methodological background of implemented research. 2. The 5 detected gaps in decision-making:

(1) The divorce/disconnect between research and teaching; (2) The lack of balance between specialized fields and

multidisciplinary perspectives; (3) The absence of internal (within the university) and

external (larger society) alignment in addressing sustainability problems;

(4) Deficits in coordination within and between public, private, NGOs and academic organizations;

5) And finally, the lack of time linkages (short, medium and long-term) which will postpones decisions till the end of the century or later and ultimately, paralyze decision-makers.

Description of studies done on which breaches are identificed

The quantitative studies targeted four specific populations, through a survey adjusted to each group and to each sample on two diferent subjects: Renewable Energy and Climate Change. Those subjects and groups were the following:

Renewable Energy: Questionnaires were administered to ER

managers (51), Environment professors (20) at the universities, and authorities in charge of implementing specific ER projects at the universities.

Determinación de las muestras…(Ver todos los resultados en www.galileo.edu)

Climate Change:

Three (3) samples were designed for managers (71) in agricultural (32) and industrial-service (39) corporations, professors (64) and an inclusive category that we label as “Decision-Makers”, where NGOs (31) and Govenment-universities officers (40) were selected. A total of 206 questionnaires were completed.

Findings: Breaches…. 1st. breach: A divorce between research and

teaching are observed. There is a lack of resources applied to research. Labs are absent.

There is an absence of specialized personnel that could generate and apply knowledge.

To a great extent most universities rely in “Taxi

Professors”. Patents are missing. The lack of interest coming from the private and

public sector, among other factors, makes this breach greater.

Resultados y Hallazgos: Brechas…

2nd. breach: An absence of nexus and sinergies in the Academic careers more related to environmental studies and Renewable Energy are noticed. This situation might also be extended to Climate Change. Therefore the transversal perspective of environment in the curriculum has not been entirely applied.

On the other hand, RE groups often has not links with those others that are related to environment and CC is seen as somewhat a marginal and far away subject.

Furthermore, even those professors teaching environment, do not totally grasp the CC meaning and the importance of ER in this outcome. According to interviewees most of them had a “vague consciousness” of this phenomenom.


3rd. Breach: It’s a complement of the former one. It refers to the importance given to specialization as opposed to a multidisciplinary perspective.

It aims to branches such a Administration, Economy, Sociology, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science and Law, among others, whose points of view are not reflected in the courses taught, and…if they consider them, they have reduced time in the process of teaching and learning.

Our experience is that specialized subjects should be highlighted in the short-term while the multidisciplinary scope in the médium and long-term.


4th. breach: difficulties of coordination.Deficits exist in the extent that these links and

partnerships are done internally as well as externally.

This matter becomes a priority when it includes the academic in interaction with different sectors: other universities, governments, private sector and civil society.

The lack of sinergies hinders sinergies. An innovating approach revolve around the so-

called “Cuadruple and Quintuple Helix”.

Findings….: Breaches…Academic Internal Alliances

Board,

Presidency,Vicepresidency,Administration,Related careers

close to Sustainable

DevelopmentFaculties,Schools,

Departments and Institutes,Others

5. Quintuple Helix: Extended ecological perspective applied to international alliances: Exs. JELARE & CELA Projects sponsored by the Alfa Program of EU extended to Germany, Bolivia, Chile, Estonia, Latvia, Nicaragua, Perú and Guatemala. The agreements of the General Assembly in September, 2015, gives ground to extended international cooperations including bilateral ones.

Research and Technological Transfer

Centers within Sustainable

Development Institutes or related ones

“Quintuple Helix” Exs. of Guatemala 1. Academy or Research and Technological Transfer Centers:: REDFIA: This is network of the main universities in Guatemala. It precisely means Environmental Formation and Research Network. The main universities of Guatemala are affiliated to this partnership but also, other reserch organizations belong to it. 2. Public Sector: Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and Mines Ministry, CONRED, territorial organizations such as municipalities and departments, are also included in this category..3. Private Sector: Ej. Instituto Privado de Cambio Climático, ICC (sector azucarero). This is a private institute promoted by the sugar sector. Other examples extend to lobby organizations such a the Chamber of Commerce, and similar ones.4. Quadruple Helix that cover civil society sectors such as NGOs or neighbors organizations, etc. Ex. Urban and Rural Development Councils organized locally.

Aliances in the building of a Network based in the Quadruple and Quintuple Helix, with examples applied to Guatemala. Source: Own elaboration.


5th. Breach: A better relationship between the short, médium and long-term.

The classic example is the subject of Climate Change. Many warnings make reference to the end of the century. The relationship, for example, to the present cost of oil, often is forgotten.

May be regarded as a centuries problem, before and after. Short-term repercussions are forgotten. Scientific generalizations suggest that for instance, storms tend

to shorten their occurrence as a result of climate changes. Time periods are strategic.

Guatemala appears 4th. in a ranking covering 173 countries (UN University in Tokyo)with regard to vulnerability to natural phenomena. Several storms have recently hit the country periodically (1998-2011).

Conclusions and recommendations

1. To prioritize these 5 breaches among all decisión-makers, including territorial levels (national, departmental, municipal and local) as well as those belongin to the Cuadruple Helix: other universities, private sector, civil society and government. 2. A close link between renewable energy and climate change. This last variable, helps to arrange priorities in the short, médium and long term. An example in Guatemala is the social conflicts derived from hydroelectric invetments. In Costa Rica, for instance, the Ministry in charge of environment also deals with energy.

3. This link allows the possibility of making savings in the oil bill and the care of forests. The latter helps to mitigate the effects of climate change but also is a raw material for exports and domestic manufacture and construction.

Concls. y Recs. 4. A cross-sectional pensum reform is

needed at the primary, secondary and high educational level.

5. This reform should be extended to almost all careers.

6. Research activities must be supported. Frecuently information is found at the regional and planetary level, but very Little is done at the national level, especially, with regard to the risks and vulnerabilities of the envionment dimensión and its compatibility with development.

7. A consolidation of the multidisciplinary perspective also constitutes a priority because it paralyzes decisions.

Concls. y Recs. 8. The Helix approach needs to be

highlighted. 9. Sustainable development means to

prioritize time periods (short, médium and long terms) and basins.

10. A decentralized focus is warranted at the national, regional and local level together with strategic plans, training, dissemination of lessons learnt elsewhere and allocation of resources.

11. The Sustainable Development paradigm calls for a closure of these breaches.

THANKS