M-POWER at USER

Purpose and Approach

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 contribute to an international program with the same name, M-POWER (See the new website at: http://www.mpowernetwork.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.

Photo Gallery

Public Documents

Discussion paper about a sustainability measurement approach led by the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Forum. (4834) working paper uploaded by Tira Foran on 20 Oct 09

Dore J., Lebel L. 2010. Gaining Public Acceptance: a critical strategic priority of the World Commission on Dams. Water Alternatives 3(2): 124-141 (4978) publication uploaded by Louis Lebel on 12 Jun 10

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 WP-2009-14. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University. English version (4835) working paper uploaded by Tira Foran on 20 Oct 09 [9 Mar 10]

Websites

M-POWER: The Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience The new M-POWER 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)

SUMERNET - Sustainable Mekong Research Network Is a growing community of researchers committed to accelerating the implementation of policies that foster greater sustainability in the Mekong region. Key issues covered include the management of ecosystem services, options for local livelihoods, transboundary development, energy and climate change adaptation. (7)

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)

Events

28 May 12 - 29 May 12
Politics, Governance, Experiences and Responses to Flooding from the Locals’ and Migrants’ Perspectives in ASEAN Bangkok.( Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI) ) (272)

7 Dec 11 - 9 Dec 11
M-POWER Annual Meeting 2011 Phnom Penh, Cambodia.( M-POWER ) (270)

14 Nov 11 - 17 Nov 11
Global Water Needs Initiative. Sustainable environmental flow requirements and water governance. Bonn, Germany.( GWSP ) (269)

Publications

Lebel, L., B.T. Sinh, N. Chinh, S. Boontaveeyuwat, H. Kimkong (2011). Risk communication and adaptation planning in deltas and coastal settlements of the Mekong Region. USER Working Paper WP-2011-14. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University: Chiang Mai. (516) WP-2011-14

Lebel L, Nikitina E, Pahl-Wostl C, Knieper C. 2011. Institutional fit and river basin governance. USER Working Paper WP-2011-08. Unit for Social and Environmental Research, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai. (510) WP-2011-08

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-2010-04

Projects

Fish farming in the Ping 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)

Gender and water insecurities 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)

REWIND 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)