Meeting summary (Sep 16th, 2009)

[Gabriel Nieto]

Hello everybody!

Max, Moe Moe and me had a meeting last Wednesday

The discussed issues were:

a) Definitions:
We are considering the World Commission on Environment and Development
(WECD) definition of Sustainable Development as a main reference

b) Sustainability approach:
Our work will be based on the Island reality and we understand that it
can be sustainable but not by itself since many resources come from
other places.

c) Island problems and relevant aspects:
The general problems are isolation and lack of economies of scale.
Most of the Islands depend on agriculture and tourism. In this sense,
we will concentrate in these two industries/sectors.

d) Marinduque's situation:
We analyzed the local production, some infrastructure issues like
transportation and how the Island can be competitive and
differentiated from other Islands in the Philippines.

Product and production diversification can play a relevant role as
well as promoting the Island as an environmental education center. In
terms of policies the regulation and frameworks are really good but
the enforcement of the law is low (more incentives are required)

Geo-political, natural resources and social issues were also
commented.

e) Team
Apparently, the 1st delegation (four of us) will be in Manila on
January 5th and the 2nd early February. The work and perspective of
ALL the team is crucial for the field trip and the final outcome
(papers). In this sense, more active participation and attendance to
the meetings is important as well as coordination of those groups that
are conformed by more than one person

f) Logistics
We need to ask about accommodation to Prof. Fellizar

NEXT MEETING will be on October 5th (Monday). The time and place will
be confirmed later.

Please prepare the following information for the next meeting:

1. Questionnaires, surveys and indicators relevant for your part (the
documents will be compared in order to simplify the work)

2. Bring your objectives and research questions (will be summarized in
one document)

3. Progress of your work

Hope you are having a nice weekend and enjoy the rest of the holiday

Regards,

Gabriel Nieto