The M-POWER program aims to improve livelihood security, human and ecosystem health in the Mekong Region through democratising water governance.
Research and activities by USER staff support an international program and network of the same name (see: www.mpowernet.org).
Action research and direct engagement is an important feature of activities in this program. We attend meetings and help run and contribute to dialogue activities at different levels and with different stakeholder groups. We contribute to efforts to build capacity for institutional, political and policy analysis of water governance issues in mainland Southeast Asia.
Our more theoretical work hopes to change the way people think about states, authority and governance. It is about going beyond governance by government and participation by stakeholders. In particular we have been looking closely at issues of scale, space and expertise in assessment, deliberation and decision-making. We are also interested in the politics of vulnerability and resilience around “risk management” and what its implications are for the pursuit of social justice.
Selected Publications
Series Nos.
Title
WP-2010-04
Lebel, L., S. Rattanawilailak, P. Lebel, G. B. Bastakoti, R. C. Bastakoti, and P. Priyasak. 2010. Gender relations, ethnicity and water insecurities in the Upper Ping River basin, northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2010-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (493)
WP-2010-03
Lebel L, Neto S, Huntjens P, Camkin J, Critical reflections on multi-stakeholder dialogues on water: experiences in Asia and Europe. USER Working Paper WP-2010-03. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (488)
WP-2010-02
Lebel L, Foran T, et al. 2010. Codes of conduct, affected communities and the accountability of hydropower developers in the Mekong Region. USER Working Paper WP-2010-02. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (487)
WP-2009-16
Nikitina, E., V. Kotov, L. Lebel, and B. T. Sinh. 2009. How stakeholder participation and partnerships could reduce water insecurities in shared river basins. USER Working Paper WP-2009-16. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (470)
WP-2009-15
Foran, T. (2009). Good principles in search of better developers? The Equator Principles and Mekong infrastructure development. USER Working Paper 2009-15-WP. Chiang Mai University, Unit for Social and Environmental Research (USER), Chiang Mai, Thailand. (465)
WP-2009-14
Foran, T. 2009. Making hydropower more sustainable? A sustainability measurement approach led by the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum. Policy Brief. Draft July 2009. USER Working Paper 2009-WP-14, Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (464)
WP-2009-13
Lebel L, Sinh BT, Nikitina E .2009. Adaptive governance of risks: climate, water and disasters. USER Working Paper WP-2009-13. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (469)
WP-2009-09
Foran, T. 2009. Contentious decision making around Pak Mun Dam. CPWF Project No. 67 Case Study. USER Working Paper WP-2009-09. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai (457)
WP-2009-04
Ganjanapan S, Lebel L. 2009. Improving water allocation through multi-stakeholder platforms: peri-urban experiences in Mae Kuang river sub-basin, northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2009-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (450)
WP-2009-03
Lebel L. 2009. Scenarios as boundary objects in the allocation of water in the Mekong Region. USER Working Paper WP-2009-03. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (449)
WP-2009-01
Lebel L, Lebel P. et al. Gender and the rise of commercial aquaculture. USER Working Paper WP-2009-01. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (447)
WP-2008-14
Foran T. 2008. การวิเคราะห์กระบวนการวางแผนไฟฟ้าของประเทศไทย และสาธิตการวางแผนไฟฟ้าแบบบูรณาการ [Analysis of Thailand's electricity planning process and demonstration of integrated electricity planning]. USER Working Paper WP-2008-14. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (439)
WP-2008-05
Foran, T. 2008. Better financial regulation could make energy organizations more sustainable. USER Working Paper WP 2008-05 Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (410)
WP-2008-04
Ratanawilailak S, Daniel R, Lebel L (2008). Local
institutions, strategies and discourses in dry-season water management:Upper Mae Hae watershed in norethern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2008-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai.
(409)
WP-2008-02
Bastakoti R. C., G. P. Shivakoti and L. Lebel. 2008. Community organizations in water resource governance: Rural-Urban interface of irrigation management in Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2008-02. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (408)
WP-2008-01
Lebel, L., J. Xu, and R. C. Bastakoti. 2008. Water towers and river basins: The politics of adaptiveness in Monsoon Asia. USER Working Paper WP-2008-01. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (Submitted to International Environmental Agreements) (406)
WP-2007-22
Foran, T. and C.E. Greacen (2007). Towards more sustainable energy futures for the Mekong Region: Policy options for development donors. USER Working Paper WP-2007-22. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (402)
WP-2007-20
Foran, Tira. 2007. Advocacy pathways towards decision making in Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2007- 20. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai (396)
WP-2007-19
Garden , P. 2007. The Chiang Mai floods of 2005. USER Working Paper WP-2007-19. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai (395)
WP-2007-08
Lebel P, Chaibu, P, Lebel L. 2007. Aquaculture in rivers: a stakeholder analysis of the fish cage industry in the Upper Ping River, northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2007-08. Unit for Social and Environmental Reseach, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (362)
WP-2007-06
Lebel P, Chaibu P, Lebel L. 2007. Rules of entry and access to river waters: fish cage aquaculture in the Upper Ping River, northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2007-06. Unit for Social and Environmental Reseach, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (356)
WP-2007-04
Garden P., Lebel L, Badenoch N, Subsin N, Viseskul F, 2007. Bringing development home: the role of local government in northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2007-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai.
(337)
WP-2007-02
Lebel L. 2007. Getting to the table: engagement and negotiation. USER Working Paper WP-2007-02. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (316)
WP-2006-15
Rutherford, J, Jantian A, Nethngam S. 2007. Smoke in the hills: drugs and upland people in northern Thailand. A DIAKONIA Report. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (311)
WP-2006-12
Imamura M, Lebel L. 2006. Geographical shadows and flows. USER Working Paper WP-2006-12. Unit for Social and Environmental Research: Chiang Mai. (306)
WP-2006-11
Lebel L, Garden P. 2006. Managing floods and scarcity in a monsoon climate: politics of knowledge and vulnerability in northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2006-11. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai (301)
WP-2006-07
Lebel P, Chaibu P, Lebel L. 2006. Fish farm management practices in the upper Ping River, northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2006-07. Unit for Social and Environmental Research: Chiang Mai University. (281)
WP-2006-05
Emans, K. 2006.The effects of protected forest areas on local economic development in villages of Chiang Mai province, Thailand: a regression discontinuity approach. USER Working Paper WP-2006-05. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (279)
WP-2006-04
Lebel L, Imamura M. 2006. Water governance at multiple levels and scales in the Mekong Region. USER Working Paper WP-2006-04. Unit for Social and Environmental Research:Chiang Mai. (278)
WP-2006-03
Garden P., Lebel L, Badenoch N, Subsin N, Viseskul F 2006. The consequences of institutional density for natural resource management with local government in northern Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2006-03. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (276)
WP-2006-01
Rajesh, D.N., Lebel L. 2006. Land policy, tenure and use: institutional interplay at the rural-forest interface in Thailand. USER Working Paper WP-2006-01. M-POWER Working Paper WP-2006-01. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai.
(243)
WP-2005-25
Rutherford, J., Paul Sein Twa. 2005. Insecurity. USER Working Paper WP-2005-25.M-POWER Working Paper WP-2005-12. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai (48)
WP-2005-18
Khrutmuang S, Huaisai, D, Lebel L. 2005. The emergence of an adaptive co-management regime after a decade of conflict: a case study of water governance in the Mae Ta Chang watershed, Chiang Mai, Thailand USER Working Paper WP-2005-18. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai.
(234)
WP-2005-11
Kitamoto M, Tsunozaki E, Teranishi A. 2005.
Institutional capacity for natural disaster reduction in Japan. USER Working Paper WP-2005-11. Unit for Social and Environmental Research: Chiang Mai University.
(220)
WP-2004-17
Kotov V, Nikitina E. 2004. Institutions, policies and measures towards the Lena River flood risk reduction. (196)
WP-2003-20
Bueno F, Moya TB, Malayang BS, Lebel L. Forest
management and conservation in Southeast Asia.
(229)
WP-2003-15
Maikhuri RK, Rao KS, Saxena KKG, Ramakrishnan PS. 2003. Biodiversity and sustainable development in the Central Himalaya, India. (204)
WP-2003-14
Contreras AP, Gata MLLP. 2003. Sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity in selected upland communities in Luzon, Philippines. (205)
WP-2003-13
John Bamba. 2003. Biodiversity conservation as an entry point to achieve sustainable livelihood of the Dayak people in West Kalimantaon: an integrative approach. (206)
WP-2003-12
Sengchanh. 2003. Livelihood and environmental consequences of rural development projects in Namon Neua, Lao PDR. (207)
WP-2003-11
Le Trong Cuc, Tran Chi Trung, Le Trong Hai. 2003. Biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods in the uplands of Vietnam: Tat Hamlet case study. (208)
WP-2002-15
Sari AP. 2002. Impacts of globalization and decentralization on Indonesian forestry. (211)
WP-2002-14
Contreras AP. 2002. Institutional responses to global change: the consequences of interplay between international regimes and local institutions for the forests of the Philippines. (212)
WP-2002-13
Lebel L. 2002. Institutional dynamics and interplay and the governance of forests in northern Thailand. (213)
MP-2008-18
Molle, F.; Lebel, L. and Foran, T. 2009. Contested Mekong Waterscapes: Where to next? In Molle, F.; Foran, T. and Käkönen, M. (eds), Contested Waterscapes in the Mekong Region: Hydropower, Livelihoods and Governance, pp. 383-413. London: Earthscan. (433)
MP-2008-17
Dore, J. Lazarus, K. 2008. Demarginalizing the Mekong River Commission. M-POWER Working Paper MP-2008-17. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai.
(432)
2010-0811
Bastakoti, R. C., Shivakoti, G. P. & Lebel, L. (2010) Local irrigation management institutions mediate changes driven by external policy and market pressures in Nepal and Thailand. Environmental Management DOI: 10.1007/s00267-010-9544-9 (436)
2010-0808
Dore, J. & Lebel, L. (2010) Deliberation, scale and the governance of water resources in the Mekong Region Environmental Management 46(1): 60-80. (416)
Other Papers
Series Nos.
Title
OP-2006-05
L. Lebel, X. Jianchu, and A. P. Contreras, editors. 2006. Institutional dynamics and crisis: how crises alter the way common pool resources are perceived, used and governed. Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainablle Development, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. 176pp. (297)
OP-2005-01
Tomich, T. P., C. A. Palm, S. J. Velarde, H. Geist, A. Gillison, L. Lebel, M. Locatelli, W. Mala, M. van Noordwijk , K. Sebastian, D. Timmer, and D. White. 2005. Forest and agroecosystem tradeoffs in the humid tropics. A crosscutting assessment by the Alternatives to Slash-and-Brun Consortium conducted as a sub-global component of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Nairobi, Kenya: Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn Programme. (309)
Colorado Conference on Earth System Governance: Crossing boundaries and building bridges Colorado State University, Fort Collins.(Earth System Governance Project)
(241)
17 Aug 10 - 18 Aug 10
Prepatory meeting for Twin2Go Synthesis Workshop Ghent, Belgium.(Soresma, Twin2Go)
(244)
19 Jul 10 - 20 Jul 10
Inception Workshop for the Mekong Project 4 on Water Governance: CPWF's Mekong Basin Development CHallenge Pathumthani.(M-POWER, AIT)
(242)
International Conference on "Habitat for fisheries, aquaculture, and fisheries management: addressing interconnectivity" Chiang Mai, Thailand.(Maejo University, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center)
(209)
Joint Informal Meetings of researchers and practitioners in Thai-Vietnam Cooperation on Management of Flood Risks and Prevention of Flood-related Fatalities (Hanoi & Da Nang, Vietnam) .(M-POWER, USER, NISTPASS)
(115)
28 Nov 06 - 30 Nov 06
SEAGA Conference 2006: Sustainability and Southeast Asia
Singapore.(National Institute of Education and Nanyang Girls High School)
(83)
13 Nov 06 - 26 Nov 06
Advanced Training Workshop on Southeast Asia Regional Carbon and Water Issues
Chung-li and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.(SARCS/GCP/GWSP/National Science Council)
(79)
Comparing institutional designs, capacities and national policies to reduce the risks of flood disasters in Asia Chiang Mai, Thailand.(M-POWER, USER)
(53)
14 Dec 05 - 16 Dec 05
Expanding transboundary cooperation for water and environmental secruity in Asia's international rivers Kunming, China.(Yunnan University, World Bank Institute, United Nations University)
(61)
28 May 05 - 29 May 05
Climate change adaptation strategies in the Mekong Region Bangkok, Thailand.(IUCN)
(67)
15 May 05 - 15 May 05
Flood disaster managementin Mae Tuen. Mae Tuen, Om Koi.()
(66)
15 Jan 05 - 27 Jan 05
Land use history in Montane Mainland Southeast Asia: transecting Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai Yunnan, Lao PDR and Thailand.()
(72)
10 Jan 05 - 12 Jan 05
Water resources in South Asia: an assessment of flimcate change associated vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms. Chiang Mai, Thailand.()
(71)
13 Dec 04 - 22 Dec 04
Companion modeling and resilience of ecosystems in Southeast Asia: principles and tools. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand..()
(46)
13 Dec 04 - 15 Dec 04
World Bank Mekong Water Resources Assistance Strategy Civil Society Consultation Workshop Bangkok, Thailand.(Facilitator-Thailand Environment Institute)
(10)
10 Dec 04 - 12 Dec 04
Disaster Risk Reduction and Floods in Asia. Project Meeting. Chiang Mai, Thailand.()
(45)
17 Nov 04 - 20 Nov 04
Alternative to slash-and-burn scenario development training workshop. Chiang Mai, Thailand.()
(41)
Fish cage farming in the Upper Ping River basin is an important livelihood for households living on the river banks. This project examined practices of fish farmers, explored gender and access issues in the industry. A public roundtable to discuss findings was conducted. The project website is in Thai. (49)
Women are often excluded from formal consultations and decision-making about water conflicts and resource management. This project endeavours to improve the meaningful involvement and engagement of women in stakeholder consultations in three locations in Thailand with long histories of complex conflict over water management. (48)
This project explores the opportunities for reducing water insecurity through stakeholder participation in river basin management. It is a comparative and synthetic study of research in Thailand, Australia, Russia, Vietnam and China. The project was funded by APN. (53)
Management of the Mae Hae watershed has become more challenging with advent of dry season sprinkler irrigation. Our research covers the intersection between water governance institutions, use of ecosystem services, and various aspects of culture, gender relations and technological innovation. (54)
CPWF PN50 - Enhancing multi-scale Mekong Water Governance
Its main goal was to help improve livelihood security, human and ecosystem health in the Mekong Region through democratizing water governance. This was pursued through critical research and direct engagement with stakeholders involved in managing fisheries, floods, irrigation, hydropower, watersheds, urban water works and integrated water management at various scales. In each policy domain we identified common, shared, problems with current patterns of governance and suggested ways that some can be addressed. Funded by IFAD and Echel Eau through the Challenge Program on Water and Food. See: www.mpowernet.org (59)
Sought a better understanding of political drivers, processes and tools which do or might influence Mekong Region water allocation decisions. Based on reviews of processes and tools and in-depth studies of places and arenas. Ultimately aims to contribute to water allocation policy and practice which results in more optimal and equitable use of water by society. Funded by the European Commission through the Challenge Program on Water and Food. (60)
Project seeks to improve hydropower energy and water resources development policy and governance through targetted research and activities. Three main areas: energy planning in Thailand; decision-making on Mekong River mainstream dams and dviersions; and, corporate social and environmental responsibility. Funded by Blue Moon.
(61)
Twin2Go
Twin2Go reviews, consolidates, and synthesises research on integrated water resources management (IWRM) in basins around the world. See: www.twin2go.eu (63)
Selected Websites
M-POWER: The Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience
The website summarizes the research, capacity building and policy exploring activities of the M-POWER network in mainland southeast Asia. Their work covers water governance issues in the major basins like the Irrawaddy, Salween, Chao Phraya - Ping, Mekong and Red as well as smaller ones. (1)
IDGEC - Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
Coordinates and stimulates research on the roles of institutions as cause, and social responses, to large-scale environmental changnes. It is one of the IHDP core projects. The program closed at the end of 2006. (3)
ICRAF - World Agroforestry Centre
Is one the international agricultural centres. Much of its work is about trees on farms, including both traditional (old) and modern complex agroforestry systems. Group has also been at forefront of international research on environmental services from landscapes. Website has many downloadable technical and policy-oriented research documents as well as a few guides and summaries for wider audiences. (17)
IWMI - International Water Management Institute
Is one the international agricultural centres in the CGIAR system. Much of its work is about the use of water in agriculture. Website has many good quality downloadable technical and policy-oriented research reports about water management. (18)
GWSP - Global Water System Project
Coordinates research to develop a complete picture of the global water system, including both biophysical and human dimensions. It is one of the programs of the Earth Systems Science Partnership. Website has primarily programmatic information and links. (19)
Hydrology and Water Management Center for Upper Northern Region
Contains near real-time information about flood risks and warnings for northern Thailand with radar imagery and river height information. Also many useful background documents and links. [largely in Thai]. (20)
SEAFDEC
The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center is an intergovernmental organization that promotes fisheries development in Southeast Asia. The website has information about training and research programs. The Aquaculture Department is based in the Philippines. (21)
AARM
Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management is based at the Asian Institute of Technology. The website has well organized archives with abstracts, photos and other resource materials about training and other activities, but without much recent material. (22)
MRI - Mountain Research Initiative
Coordinates and facilitates research on global environmental change issues in mountain regions around the world. (33)
TAO Doi Law- Chiang Mai
Official website of Doi Law Tambon in Chiang Mai Province. Doi Law is the centre of the fish cage aquaculture industry [in Thai] (36)
GAA - The Global Aquaculture Alliance
is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. GAA website promotes information about the Best Aquaculture Practices standards and facility certification for sustainable aquaculture at the core of its Responsible Aquaculture Program and other activities. (63)
World Fish Center
is a non-profit organization that focuses on alleviating poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. The website has interesting syntheses and insights that integrate ecological, social, economic, and policy perspectives. These analyses are the basis for key policy advice and agenda-setting at the national and regional geopolitical levels. Also, tools, networks, and capacity building mechanisms in developing countries are presented. (65)
SUMERNET - Sustainable Mekong Research Network
Website of a network hosted and coordinated by the Stockholm Environment Institute's Asia office in Bangkok. The network carries out research on sustainable development challenges in the Mekong region. (83)
SEI - Stockholm Environment Institute
Independent research institute often working at the intersection of sustainable development and environment issues. Website has access to extensive set of reports as well as information about projects, books and activities. (82)
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