Asia Pacific Youth Forum and Training Workshop 2014 

 ‘Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and Gaps beyond Boundaries’ 

 WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS 

   

 

Organized by  

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) 

and Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) 

  

21 – 24 September 2014, Kathmandu, Nepal 

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 Table of Contents 

 Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 

 

Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 4  

Introduction and Background ....................................................................................................................... 5  

Day I – Soft Opening ..................................................................................................................................... 6  

Presentation and Discussion on National‐Regional‐Global Process (UNFCCC) Interface ............................. 7  

Introduction on Networking and Social Media Usage .................................................................................. 8  

Showcasing of the Key Technologies for Adaptation at ICIMOD Knowledge Park ....................................... 8  

Day II – Formal Opening.............................................................................................................................. 10  

Keynote Presentation Session: Adaptation in the Mountains .................................................................... 11  

International Context.................................................................................................................................. 11  

Civil Society Context.................................................................................................................................... 12  

Youth Context ............................................................................................................................................. 13  

Government Context .................................................................................................................................. 13  

Overview Presentation Session: Mountain Context ................................................................................... 14  

Measuring Adaptation in the Mountains: Participatory Approaches and Toolkits .................................... 16  

Building Capacity through Collective Learning and Flexible Planning ........................................................ 17  

Youth Energizing Session ............................................................................................................................ 19  

Youth Constituency at UNFCCC .................................................................................................................. 20  

DAY III ‐ Field Visit ....................................................................................................................................... 21  

Day IV ‐ Knowledge Session ........................................................................................................................ 24  

Reporting from Participants........................................................................................................................ 26  

Closing Session ............................................................................................................................................ 27  

Annex I ‐ Agenda for the Workshop ........................................................................................................... 29  

Annex II ‐ List of Participants ...................................................................................................................... 35 

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 Acronyms 

 APAN  Asia Pacific Adaptation Network 

APMN  Asia Pacific Mountain Network 

CDM  Clean Development Mechanism 

COP  Conference of the Parties 

ESRI  Environmental Systems Research Institute  FEWS  Flood Early Warning System 

 GCF  Green Climate Fund 

 GIS  Geographic Information System 

 GPS  Global Positioning System 

 HKH  Hindu Kush Himalayan 

 ICIMOD  International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development 

 ICT                                      Information and Communication Technology 

IGES                                    Institute for Global Environmental Strategies 

LDC                                    Least Developed Countries 

NAP  National Adaptation Plans  NCWF  Nepal Water Conservation Foundation 

 NGO  Non‐Governmental Organization 

 PRA  Participatory Rural Appraisal 

 REDD  Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation 

 UN  United Nations 

 UNFCCC  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 

 WWF  World Wide Fund for Nature 

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 Executive Summary 

 It is well accepted that adaptation is the key to mitigating and reducing climate change effects. Although the  impact of climate change continues to  increase  in mountain areas, there  is a lack of knowledge and information  about  the  various  adaptation  practices  (incorporating  both  science  and  traditional knowledge) being  implemented by societies,  institutions, and  individuals  in the mountains. Accordingly, there  is  a need  to  identify  the  issues  and  gaps  in  relation  to  adaptation  in  the mountains  in  the Asia Pacific region and beyond. 

 Against  this  background,  the  Asia  Pacific  Adaptation  Network  (APAN)  through  its  thematic  node  for mountains, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and its Asia Pacific Mountain  Network  (APMN),  organized  the  Asia  Pacific  Youth  Forum  and  Training  Workshop  on ‘Adaptation  in  the  Mountains:  Issues  and  Gaps  beyond  Boundaries’  from  21–24  September  2014  in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

 The   main   objectives   of   the   workshop   were   to   share   evidence‐based   knowledge   to   improve understanding of actions for adaptation and to  identify and discuss the role of stakeholders, adaptation options, and cross‐border issues. 

 From  the  workshop  presentations  and  field  visits  the  participants  learnt  about  adaptation  practices related to water, agriculture, natural disasters, and energy, among other things. Adaptation approaches that  can  be  implemented  at  the  individual,  community,  and  national  levels  were  identified.  The workshop underlined  the  need  to share knowledge  on  practical  on‐the‐ground  options  for climate change  adaptation.  Participants  explored  common  challenges,  opportunities,  and  examples  of  good adaptation  practices.  The  gap  between  knowledge  and  practices  was  identified  as  an  issue  and communication was acknowledged as  vital  tool  for  local, national, and  international engagement. The importance of  regional  knowledge  sharing,  awareness building,  and  communicating  knowledge  to  the communities was also discussed. 

 The  workshop  provided  participants  with  an  opportunity  to  discover  relevant  adaptation  practices, technologies,  and  applications  that  take  vulnerable  groups,  communities,  and  ecosystems  into consideration. Participants agreed to develop learning networks within and between regions  in order to share  best  practices  and  knowledge  on  adaptation.  The  workshop  also  provided  young  professionals from  the Asia Pacific  region with a platform  from which  to network, collaborate, and communicate on climate   change   adaptation   issues   and   observe   innovative   practices   on   adaptation.   Participants expressed their appreciation of the workshop sessions and commitment to share the knowledge gained within their communities and workplaces. 

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 Introduction and Background 

 A  total  of  47  participants  from  17  countries  in  the  Asia  Pacific  region,  including  government representatives, media  personnel,  researchers,  academics,  and members  of  civil  society,  convened  at ICIMOD’s   headquarters   in   Kathmandu   to   interact   with   high‐level   bureaucrats,   youth   leaders, researchers, and tech  innovators from the region to gain knowledge about adaptation  issues and gaps. The workshop  included capacity building and knowledge exchange,  leadership exercises, and excursions to  environmental  projects  to  learn  about  adaptation  practices  on  the  ground.    Including  as  well presentations  from  participants  on  various  adaptation  issues,  the  workshop  showcased  adaptation technology and an adaptation toolkit and included a market place featuring displays and demonstrations of innovative solutions for adaptations. 

 The workshop was held over four days from 21‐24 September 2014. The soft opening session on the first day with field visit to  ICIMOD Knowledge Park was followed by the formal opening of the workshop on the second day at  ICIMOD headquarters  including various sessions on exploring the  issues and gaps on adaptation  in  the mountains  and  interactive  sessions  between  participants  and  resource  persons. On the  third  day,  a whole‐day  field  visit was organized  to  ICIMOD  project  sites  in  the Kavre Palanchowk district, showing  local adaptation measures  in water conservation  in  the mid‐hills. The  final day of  the workshop  focused  on  knowledge  sessions  in  market‐place  format  and  experience  sharing  from  the participants on the lessons learnt from the overall event. 

 The workshop was highly informative and useful for understanding the importance of the participation of different  stakeholders  in  the  implementation  of  adaptation  practices,  and  highlighted  the  need  for increased cooperation among communities, institutions, and countries to address the issues and gaps on adaptation. 

 About ICIMOD 

 The    International   Centre    for    Integrated   Mountain   Development    (ICIMOD)    is    a    regional  inter‐governmental  learning  and  knowledge  sharing  centre  serving  the  eight  regional member  countries of the  Hindu  Kush  Himalayan  (HKH)  region  –  Afghanistan,  Bangladesh,  Bhutan,  China,  India,  Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Our aim  is  to  influence policy and practices  to meet environmental and  livelihood challenges  emerging  in  the  HKH  region.  To  do  this we  bring  together  researchers,  practitioners,  and policy  makers  from  the  region  and  around  the  globe  to  generate  and  share  knowledge,  support evidence‐based decision making, and encourage regional collaboration. ICIMOD delivers impact through its  six  Regional  Programmes  of  Adaptation  to  Change,  Transboundary  Landscapes,  River  Basins, Cryosphere  and  Atmosphere,  Mountain  Environment  Regional  Information  System,  and  Himalayan University  Consortium.  These  regional  programmes  are  supported  by  the  four  Thematic  Areas  of Livelihoods,    Ecosystem    Services,    Water    and    Air,    and    Geospatial    Solutions    and    a r e  underpinned  by Knowledge Management and Communication.  ICIMOD  seeks  to  improve  the  lives and livelihoods of mountain women and men, now and for the future. 

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About APMN  Asia‐Pacific Mountain Network  (APMN)  is  a  knowledge‐sharing platform  connecting mountain  regions and communities through dialogue and networking. Managed by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), APMN captures, enriches, and disseminates information on mountain development  issues  in  and  for  the  Asia‐Pacific  region.  APMN  acts  as  the  Asia‐Pacific  node  of  the Mountain Forum    (MF)   and   decentralized   Mountain   Partnership   Asia‐Pacific   Hub,   and   has   shared  resources  including    a   dedicated    web    page,    a n   experts    database,    a n   e‐dialogue    platform,  thematic    and    geographic  discussion  lists,  an  online  library,  a  alendar  of  events,  and  survey  and  e‐election  tool. APMN  also  publishes  the  biannual  Asia  Pacific Mountain  Courier,  occasional  e‐dialogue synthesis reports, mountain development briefs and publicity materials. All these products are offered to interested readers for free. 

 About APAN 

 The Asia Pacific Adaptation Network  (APAN)  is  the  leading  climate  change  adaptation network  in  the Asia‐Pacific  region.  APAN  is  supported  by  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment,  Japan,  the  Asian Development Bank, the USAID Adapt Asia‐Pacific project and others.   The mission of APAN  is to build climate  change  resilient  and  sustainable  human  systems,  ecosystems  and  economies  through  the mobilisation of knowledge, enhanced institutional capacity and informed decision‐making‐processes, and facilitated access to finance and technologies. 

  

Day I – Soft Opening  Inaugurating the training workshop, Dr. David James Molden, Directorate General of ICIMOD, welcomed participants from the Asia‐Pacific region at Nepal for learning on adaptation issues in the mountains and encouraged participants to share their experiences regarding issues and gaps on adaptation. Anja Møller Rasmussen,  Senior  Manager,  Knowledge  Management  and  Communication,  ICIMOD  on  her  opening remarks highlighted the needs of the youth forum and training workshop and shared information about the overall event. 

 After the introduction session, Mr. Udayan Mishra and Mr. Utsav Maden, ICIMOD provided the overview of  the  four‐day  forum  and  training  workshop.  Screening  of  the  documentary  ‘Disruption’  about  the people’s climate march  led by civil society, youth organizations and activists provided participants with insight into the current issues on climate change. 

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 Presentation and Discussion on National‐Regional‐Global process (UNFCCC) Interface 

 Mr.  Ugan  Manandhar,  Deputy  Director,  Climate  Change,  Freshwater  and  Energy,  WWF  Nepal  in  his presentation  and  discussion mentioned  that  the major  objective  of  the UNFCCC  treaty  is  to  stabilize GHG  concentrations  in  the  atmosphere  at  a  level  that  would  prevent  dangerous  anthropogenic interference with  the climate  system. His presentation highlighted  the major outcomes  from COP 1  to COP 19 and  later explained the  role of various negotiating groups with particularly  focus on LDCs. Mr. Manadhar  stressed  the  outcome  from  COP  13  being  important  in  terms  of  shared  vision, mitigation, adaptation,  technology  transfer,  finance  and  capacity  building.  He  further  explained  the  financing mechanisms including Adaptation fund, LDC fund, Special Climate Change fund and Green Climate fund. In the context of the Paris Agreement  in 2015, he acknowledged the voluntary cooperation  in areas of high mitigation potential currently  taking place. He  talked about  the agreement  to  set up  the Warsaw International Mechanism on  loss and damage under  the Cancun  framework  to  share  information and best  practices,  explore  strategies  to  address  loss  and  damage,  and  provide  technical  support  to vulnerable countries.    In   highlighting    the    issue   of   adaptation   he   explained   about   the   adaptation  committee,  the  National  Adaptation  Plans  (NAPs),  and  the  adaptation  fund.  At  the  end  of  his presentation, he noted the high level of frustration regarding the slow progress of the process, as there are many differences in understanding of the interface between developed and developing countries. 

 During the session, one of the participants was curious to  know  if  REDD  is  working  or  not,  to  which  it  was replied  that  there  are  market  and  non‐market approaches  and  that  REDD  is  still  complicated. However, Nepal is an implementation  mechanism  and there  are  issues  yet  to  be  addressed.  Another question  that  was  raised  in between was: does Clean Development  Mechanism  (CDM)  help  to  offset emissions?  Addressing  the  query,  Mr.  Manadhar replied, “It’s not solution we should take  into account, but  a   baseline  scenario  should  be  considered to  

keep exploring ways to reduce emissions.” A third question was raised about how money is being used by LDCs,  to which he explained  that  funding  is being used only  for documentation of National Adaptation Plans and not for actions.  A further  inquiry related to how the whole process  looks, to which he explained that the whole process is party‐driven but cannot  influence anything and can’t force any countries as  it  is nothing more than an advocating  body.  The  final  query  was  in  regard  to  the  outcome  of  involvement  of  NGOs  from  the community  level;  Mr.  Manandhar  explained  that  involving  NGOs  helps  to  address  the  concerns  of community and identify the real problems on issues of climate change. 

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 Introduction on Networking and Social Media Usage 

 This session was facilitated by Mr. Ustav Maden, outlining the following aspects of the need and use of social media. 

  Social media for building and connecting relationships  Collaborating and doing things with various groups of people  Creating and sharing content  Finding, using, organizing and reusing the content  Brand value (for organizations)  Engage with stakeholders/ Solicit feedback  Social media as an outreach medium across a virtual audience 

 Accordingly,    Mr.    Uddhyan    Mishra explained  the  Pecha  Kucha  format  of presentation  that  participants  need  to follow  at  the  last  day  of  the  workshop during  plenary  presentation  from  the groups.  He  mentioned  that  the  pecha kucha  format  should  consist  of  20  slides where  each  slide  is  displayed  only  for  20 seconds.  The  session  was  followed  by  a networking  exercise  where  participants along with official members built a web net and were asked  to pass on  the  thread ball once they 

introduced  themselves and  share  the challenges  they  face while working on climate  change adaptation issues.  At  the  end,  all  the  thread  connectivity  was  analyzed  and  the  nodes  where  tensions  were generated with respect to the difficulty in communicating and understanding different dimensions.   

Showcasing  of  the  Key  Technologies  for  Adaptation  at  ICIMOD Knowledge Park 

 The participants were divided  into  three groups  for a guided  tour of adaptive  technologies housed at Knowledge Park, Godavari. The groups were  guided by  ICIMOD Knowledge Park  staffs with  assistance from the workshop organizing team. The ICIMOD Knowledge Park at Godavari is regarded as one of the best  sites  for  testing  and  demonstration  of  various  methodologies  related  to  integrated  mountain development and  sustainable  farming practices on  the  sloping  land of  the mid‐hills of  the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. The tour provided participants with practical demonstrations of different technologies and practices on adaptation in the mountains. At Godavari Knowledge Park activities are carried out  in 

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 the  areas  of  renewable  energy  technologies,  water,  vegetation,  and  soil  management,  livestock  and aquaculture, income generation, biodiversity conservation, training and community outreach. 

 

 The participants were provided with brief overviews of major adaptation  technologies and approaches comprising of solar technologies, flood early warning system, cool chamber, peltric set, water harvesting, kiwi  fruit  farming,  sloping  agricultural  land  technology  (SALT),  medicinal  plant  nursery,  wetland, composting,  conservation  farming,  gravity  sprinkler  irrigation,  drip  irrigation,  treadle  pump,  contour hedgerows, horticulture, beekeeping, high value cash crops, productive trees, polythene film technology, polypit  and hotbeds, bio‐ pesticides and plant  tonics, animal husbandry,    improved  stoves, solar  wall, photovoltaic  electricity,  puxin  biogas  plant,  mushroom  cultivation,  and  others.  Additionally, half  an hour was allocated to each group to have hands‐on training on bio‐briquette technology. 

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 Day II – Formal Opening 

 Formally,  the  workshop  was  inaugurated  on  the  second  day,  at  the  start  of  which  Ms.  Anja  Moller Rasmussen,  Senior  Manager,  Knowledge  Management  and  Communication,  ICIMOD  provided  an overview of  the event. She  stated  the need  for collaboration of government, policy, media,  scientists, politicians and young professionals to bring mountain agenda to a global level and hoped that the event will be regarded as a practical way of communicating science on adaptation practices. 

 Mr. Basanta Shrestha, Director, Strategic Cooperation on behalf of Dr. David James Molden, Directorate General  of  ICIMOD,  provided  an  overview  of  ICIMOD  work  in  the  Hindu  Kush  Himalayan  region.  He mentioned  ICIMOD  as  the  regional  mountain  knowledge,  learning  and  enabling  centre  devoted  to sustainable mountain development  for mountains and people.   Considering  the Hindu Kush Himalayan region  as  a  global  asset,  he  talked  about  the  occurrence  of  GLOF  events,  future  implications  for water  resources  and  multiple  benefits  of  black  carbon  mitigation  in  the  region.  Taking  into consideration  the poverty  and  high  male  outmigration  in  the  region,  in spite of  the  region  being  ecologically   rich,   he stressed the need of  linking science, policy and practice and ensuring sustainable and resilient mountain  development  for  improved  and  equitable  livelihoods  through  knowledge  and cooperation. 

 He  also  briefed  on  regional  programmes  of  ICIMOD  which  incorporate  innovation,  integration  and impact on the region and shared a case of a community‐based flood early warning system being able     to 

save  many  lives  and  property  recently .  He explained  the new  research  initiatives of  ICIMOD on  forest fires  and  dispersion,  atmospheric  observatories,  improved biomass  cook  stoves  and  application of  remote  sensing  in monitoring  and  data  management.  At  the  end  of  his presentation,  he  urged  the  participants  to  share  the information by using relevant data, knowledge and analysis to  influence  the  policy  and  practice  and  enhance  the regional cooperation on adaptation issues and practices. 

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 Keynote Presentation Session: Adaptation in the Mountains 

  

International Context Dr. Daisuke Sano, Director, Regional Centre IGES 

  Dr. Daisuke Sano in his presentation briefed on the diversity of issues from the Asia‐Pacific region being a major  challenge  to  address  and  stated  the  need  for   sharing  of   the  available  information  on  the  regional  level. He pointed to  institutional capacity as being crucial for taking actions on adaptation and sustaining them. He said, “We need to understand how to address the challenges and use our resources and we need to follow a programmatic approach which may solve problems.” He shared thoughts about the current mechanisms of utilization of  climate  funds  from Nepal,  India  and Bangladesh  and  stressed the need  to  learn  from success stories and to scale up the works on adaptation. During the presentation he mentioned the following things as being crucial in the adaptation sector: 

To incorporate knowledge into actions  To define preparedness and the need for government  To facilitate mutual learning  To idealize institutional capacity crucial for taking actions and sustaining them  To use resources  To solve problems through a programmatic approach  To be accountable about the funds that come from rich countries  To prioritize the need for some entity to coordinate among various agencies 

 He    provided    an  overview    on    the    APAN  partners  and  requested  that  the  participants refer  to  the website    materials    on    workshop  and    training that are regularly organized  in the Asia Pacific region. At the end, he called on  the participants to subscribe to the APAN knowledge management  newsletter,  share  their  learning with the colleagues and counterparts, join many practitioners  and  ask  questions  and  provide answers on issues of adaptation. 

After  the  presentation,  one  of  the  participants  was  interested  to  know  the  reason  behind  weak implementation in spite of the policies and work plan being strong. Dr. Sano in his response said that the governments are still not able to utilize all the funds due to  low working efficiency and that there  is an urgent    need  to    change  the    current  scenario.  The  next  question  was  whether  there  are  any measures  for  checking  accountability  of  government,  to  which  he  responded  that  more  strict regulations  are  required  to  react and  that  there  is need of more pressure  from NGOs  and other  civil 

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organizations to check actions of governments.  In  the discussion  it was  reported  that governments are quite  ambitious  to  provide  more  funds  to  communities  but  have  not  been  able  to  spend  money properly. 

 

Civil Society Context Dr. Arjun Karki, International Co‐ordinator, LDC Watch 

  Providing  an  overview  in  t h e   civil  society  context,  Dr.  Karki  mentioned  the  role  of  young professionals being crucial to participate and take actions on adaptation issues. He shared a fact that 20 out of 48 UN defined least  developed  countries  constitute  mountain  countries  having  geographical  and  environmental  vulnerabilities  as  key  characteristics.  He  outlined  the  fact  that  LDCs  have  higher vulnerability  than  other  regions  and  very  low  adaptive  capacity. He  pointed  out  that  climate  change impact of melting glaciers  in the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau makes Bangladesh and Nepal prone to increased flash floods and destruction of river flows. He also added that the coastal zones and low‐lying deltas  in Myanmar, Cambodia and Bangladesh are  severely affected by  rising sea  levels and  increased frequency of storms and cyclones. He added that the climate summit must focus on developed countries announcing  their  finance  commitments  to  the  Green  Climate  Fund  (GCF)  which  was  established  for adaptation  and  mitigation  for  developing  countries.  He  also  talked  about  resource  mobilization  and historical  responsibility  on  climate  change   issues  and  explained  about  the  UN  mechanism  which highlights  before  and  after  actions  and  consequences  at  COPs.  The  other  important  thing  that  was highlighted during the session was that there are  false solutions on mitigation and adaptation and civil society should be advocating against such solutions and practices. He shared his view that if mandatory commitments  by  developed  countries  with  regard  to  emission  cuts,  climate  finance  and  technology transfer are not upheld,  then LDCs and developing countries will unjustifiably continue  to  face climate change hazards with no adaptive capabilities. The session was ended with a conclusion in a nutshell that climate justice is needed as there is need to understand system change along with climate change. 

Addressing  the  query  of  a  participant  on  Climate Change  responsibility,  Dr.  Karki  mentioned  that historically  developed  countries  are  responsible  for climate  change.    The  next  question  was  whether development  is  adding  to  climate  change,  responding to   which   he    agreed    and mentioned  that  technical assistance  is  required  to minimize  the climate change impacts. The final question  was  on  how  civil  society  can    address    the  cross‐border    issues  on    climate  change,    to  which  he  indicated  that  technology  and knowledge are required with assistance and funding in development projects. 

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 Youth Context Mr. Gagan Thapa, Youth leader, Member of Constituent Assembly, Government of Nepal 

  

Mr.  Gagan  Thapa,  talking  within  the  youth  context about  the concerns of  the climate change,  shared  the case  for  involvement of youth  in  climate negotiations and the impacts that will occur due to doubling of the greenhouse  gases  in  the  future.  Mr.  Thapa  who  is involved in addressing the climate change issues in the new constitution drafting  in Nepal, mentioned climate change  impacts  as  the  fundamental  geological challenges and shared some of the  impacts of climate change at national and local level. He briefed his  idea 

about  ‘Livable  Kathmandu’  for making Kathmandu  suitable  for  living  and  addressing  critical  issues on water, air, waste and mobility problems which have occurred due to the increase  in number of vehicles by three times in the last ten years.  He  suggested  that   all  the  participants  should  understand  and  work  accordingly  on  the  issues  of climate  change and mentioned  the  requirement of support  from developed countries  in order  to  take actions on adaptation.  He  mentioned  that  youths  themselves  needs  to  be  aware  of  their  power  to influence  the community and groups. He said, “Youths should not only be  limited to understanding but need to take actions and such actions are the key for adaptations on mountain issues.” 

 

Government Context Prof. Dr. Govinda Raj Pokhrel, Vice Chairman, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal 

Dr.    Govinda    Raj    Pokhrel    highlighted    the importance  of  knowledge  and  skills  on  green technology  essential  for  adaptation  in  the mountains  and  shared  the  view  on  mountain countries  having  their  own  vision  of  economic development.  He  mentioned  agriculture, hydropower  and  tourism  are  the  key  sectors  for economic  development  of  Nepal  with  the  use of technology,  investments  and  fascination  in  these areas. He shared his ‘Vision 2025’ for guiding Nepal 

on double  digit  economic  growth  and  gaining  comparative  advantage  from  the  neighboring  countries India  and  China. He  emphasized  that Nepal  has  comparative  advantage  in  the  above  key  sectors  for bringing opportunities for development of the country. His main vision was focused on ‘ICE‐TEA’ which 

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 includes infrastructure, capacity building and education for tourism, energy and agriculture and making ‘climate change concerns’ the base of economic growth for prosperity of the country. 

  

Overview Presentation Session: Mountain Context Dr. Dhrupad Choudhury, Regional Programme Manager, Adaptation to Change, ICIMOD 

  An overview presentation session on Mountain Context was an interactive and focused group discussion led by Dr. Dhrupad Choudhury, Regional Programme Manager, Adaptation to Change, ICIMOD, and later jointly concluded with Ms. Neera Shrestha Pradhan, Water and Adaptation Specialist, ICIMOD. As the session was mostly focused on the mountain context, the participants during the session talked about their place of origin, the physiographic differences and the climatic variations in their country and community. The main  idea of the session was to particularly talk about the  issues of climate change on various  geographical  levels  with   respect  to  participants’  place  of  origin.  Firstly,  Dr.  Choudhury explained  the  aspects  of  mountain  and  the  geographical  discrepancies  these  boundaries  face.  Then, further by accepting queries from participants, he provided an overview on adaptation in the mountain context. 

 The discussion was fueled up by a question from a participant from Nepal about an issue of mosquitoes even in the Himalayan region of Nepal which could result from the melting of  snow‐capped  mountains. Further,  an  opinion  from  a  Bhutanese  participant  about  how  the  capital city of Thimpu, which posed a moderate climate some years before but  is now one of the   highest fan‐selling cities during summer, touched  on  the  issue  of  global warming,  rising  temperature  and  its  impact on  the  current world.  To substantiate  the  opinion,  Dr.  Choudhury  remarked  the  fact  that,  as  we  move  further  towards  the eastern  side  of  the  world  we  observe  that  the  summer  has  started  becoming warmer,  impacting even the winter seasons. 

 Shifting  the  paradigm  from mountains  to  plains,  Dr.  Dhrupad Choudhury asked participants from Bangladesh  about  the  climatic changes  faced  in  plain  areas.  Participants  explained  how  flood, cyclones  and  heat  stroke  are  the  major problems  in the plain areas. The  major  reason  Dr.  Choudhury reframed  for  these  problems  was seasonal  delays.  “The  duration  of rainfall  and  snowfall  has  gone down   and   there    is   no    longer 

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 Spread‐out rainfall,” he stated. He further stated that this trend has been developing since the  last 4‐5 years, causing shortfall of the rain. However, according to him, the total amount of rainfall hasn’t gone down and that whenever it rains it pours heavily and intensely. This is particularly one of the reasons why plain areas like Bangladesh face flash floods, landslides and storms as a result of climatic disparity. 

 After  assessing  some   impacts  of  various  climatic  conditions,  Dr.  Choudhury  proceeded  and  talked about  the  changing  lifestyle of  the  people because of  the  issues discussed  earlier. He barbed a  point that  it doesn’t matter which place we belong to;  from eastern Himalayas  to western Himalayas or any other plain areas‐ there has been a shift  in agriculture. This has  led to decline  in crop productivity, and whenever  there  is  less return to anything people start shifting their priorities.  In this case,  farmers are slowly  giving  up  farming.  This  generally  comes  into  the  picture  because  of  the  invested  effort  is  not resulting  in higher productivity. Representing the government of the Meghalaya,  India, Mr. Don Patrick Kharsati suggested that some of the intervening models to combat the problems faced by farmers taking Meghalaya as an example. He  introduced a crucial  impact that once production experiences a downfall, farmers will want to accommodate the problem by migrating and for any reason migration  is just not a proper solution to any given problem. An action that he explained to mitigate this problem was creating seed banks in various communities and exchanging them with one another. An example he put forward was: suppose that the climatic condition of an area  ‘A’ has changed to that kind of area  ‘B’. The better prospect would be  to provide an area  ‘A’ with the seeds according to  the area of  ‘B’.   Also, he  further explained  that  the  seed distribution will be done  through  random sampling  (example;  supposing  there are 50 seeds  in the bank, there will be distribution of 10 seeds to 5 different villages). Later, correction can  be  done  according  to  the  need  and  finding  of  the  seed  assessment  process.  “This  kind  of intervention is not a reactive approach but an adaptation mechanism for the long term”, Dr. Choudhury said.  On  to  the  situation  when  there  is  delay  in  rain,  Dr.  Choudhury  explained  the  condition  that might create another problem of drought.  Similarly,  reflecting upon  the  similar agenda, Ms.  Sonam  L. Khandu, Senior  Environment  Officer  working  in  National  Environment  Commission  Bhutan  supported the  fact  that  integrating  the  knowledge of  adaptation  into  implementation process  is  something  that should  be  very  much  considered.  It  should  be  well  coordinated  with  the  planning  commission  of government  for  the  larger output.   Nonetheless,  she  also    explained    the    challenges   of    integrating  adaptation    with  different  ministries  alongside  the  projects.  The  main  issue  of  the  session  was  to coordinate  the  knowledge  of  climate  change  with  the  implementation.  Supporting  this,  Ms.  Neera Shrestha Pradhan highlighted three major key points: 

1.    Bringing  together science and policy  into practice  to develop a dialogue between scientists and policy makers to promote informed decision making. 

2.    Simplifying scientific findings and sharing it with local communities for informed decision. 3.     Demand‐driven research  is always resourceful and succeeds when there  is demand coming  from 

the grass‐root level, assessing what is actually needed rather than having everything dictated from above. 

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 Wrapping  up,  Dr.  Choudhury  concluded  on  a  simple  yet  effective  mechanism  for  bridging  the  gap between  the  information  that  exists  among  the  scientists on  the one hand  and  the  decision makers, politicians and community people on the other. While what he said about having good climate science, projections  and  IPCC  reports  are  all  true  and  are  there,  what  matters  at  the  moment  is  “what  is happening  now?”  and  designing  the  plan  alongside  the  bridging  of  this  gap,  which  can  be  ensured through access to knowledge that is readily available to people who want to use it.  

  

Measuring Adaptation in the Mountains: Participatory Approaches and Toolkits   As the earlier session was highly on the adaptation strategies and livelihood enhancement of community households, Dr. Choudhury started the other half of the session by stating that nothing can be a better model than Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) for assessing community needs. He further added, “It is in PRA where people will give  you  lots of  responses  and with  lots of  information  that  strategies  can be developed easily.”   He stated the need of following factors for measuring adaptive capacities in terms of mapping risks and vulnerability. 

 1.    Community  perceptions  on  change   in  weather  events,   impact  on  livelihood  activities  and 

adaptive responses. 2.    Identifying vulnerable groups linking with household wealth ranking, capacity to cop and access 

to institutional support. 3.    Identifying response mechanisms for action based on community consensus, need assessments 

and institutional support.  Explaining  all  these,  he  stated  the  idea  among  participants  to  develop  a  researcher’s  point  of view especially while working with communities and to follow a process mostly scientific and authentic. Along the process, while mapping the risks and vulnerabilities it is really important that one avoids researchers’ biases  and  look  into  the  ground  specifically.  The  major  idea  he  incorporated  introducing  PRA  as  an effective tool was to assess the community need and also not to  forgo marginalized families  inside the communities  such  as,  women‐headed  families,  poverty  and  link  it  with  wealth  ranking  so  that  mal‐adaptations could be charged out and researchers could continue with the coping mechanisms. This was a breaking point where  the  issues  and  tools  started  coming  together  and  started making  sense. As a result, participants also responded to the idea quite instantly. 

 After  the  identification  process,  he  explained  a  lot  more  on  looking  at  the  support  system.  Here  he explained that it  is very  important to do a neat assessment about the dependency of households either on  food  security  or  income  security.   T h e   following  are  the  major  questions  to  consider  that would simplify the evaluation process. 

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 1.    What kinds of resources are important to the community household? 2.    When are these resources available (which time of the year/what month)? 3.    Where are the households getting these from? 

 Simplifying  even more, Dr.  Choudhury  explained  the  use  of  the  seasonal  calendar  as  a  tool  (not  the typical  calendar  we  follow.  It’s  about  the  agricultural‐cum‐harvest‐centered  calendar)  to  outline  the agricultural disparities that communities face. An example he shared in the process was the result from the  study  in  mountain  areas  which  showed  that  households  were  mostly  dependent  on  rain‐fed agriculture,  forest  and  animal  husbandry.  In  this way  it  could  be  concluded  that  the  highest  support received  by  communities  from mountains were  from  these  agricultural  conditions.  Thus,  linking  it  to other communities, their dependencies could be traced out easily.   After  highlighting  on  how  to  look  at  the  support  system  at  various  communities,  he  turned  to  the evaluation of some of the methodologies including comparison with scientific values such as quantitative data or building a  spider web  to assess  the  severity of  the environments. Once  this process has been followed  it  is easier  to see  through  the disparities. At  the end, he also mentioned  the probability  that every response we get from communities might be driven by markets and not only because of climate change. At this point,  it  is necessary to realize the gaps, and  if there are any then reformations can be done, but this solely depends on the process we follow. The process  is generally known as "adaptation learning  highways,"  where  exchange  of  information  and  knowledge  strengthen  informed  decision making, local governance becomes more responsive and contributes to the formulation of effective local adaptive strategies.   

 

Building Capacity through Collective Learning and Flexible Planning Ms. Neera Shrestha Pradhan, Water and Adaptation Specialist, ICIMOD 

  Ms. Neera Shrestha Pradhan in her presentation introduced the idea that it is equally important to look to  future  as  looking  to  the  past  and  present  conditions  while  working  with  community  on  issues  of adaptation and disaster management. This statement was well made and backed up by various ideas and a formal procedure. She named this process as building capacity through collective learning or, in other words,  ‘flexible planning.’ She explained  in  the process  that  it  is very  important  for every one of us  to understand how we  travel  from present  to  future, emphasizing mostly on  ‘how’ as  it  sums up all  the alternatives  in  the process. Ms.  Pradhan  explained  the  importance of  developing  alternatives  for our development projects as our future  is uncertain. She stated the  importance of addressing the following key questions to clarify the context of flexible planning:  

1.    Why should community care about planning for resilience? 2.    How can community support the leadership in making plans and policy? 3.    How to empower women and under‐represented community groups for adaptation planning? 

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 For the stated point, Ms. Pradhan made a clear suggestion that the only effective model of incorporating all these  ideas that communities possess  is flexible planning. To make the  implication of the tool rather transparent,  she  illustrated  an  applied  project  for  disaster  and  risk  reduction,  a  pilot  project  site  at Assam, and clearly articulated the fact that flexible planning as a tool is effective in solving and assessing any  livelihood  issues,  and  not  only  those   centered  on  disaster  risk  management.  She   further explained  these  ideas  step by  step.    This planning  tool  simply  followed  four  important  steps outlined below: 

 1.    Community  risk  mapping  to  assess  and  compare  participants’  understandings  of  the  spatial 

distribution, frequencies and causation of floods within the communities. 2.    Community‐ based  monitoring  for  identifying  3‐5  indicators  that  will  be  monitored  for  each 

sector  of  interest  by  communities where  communities  can  generate  data on  their  own when provided with simple measuring technologies. 

3.      Envisioning  the  future  with  storylines  of  how  the  future  could  be  overlaid with down‐scaled climate projections. 

4.    Preparing flexible flood management plans with inputs from the community by layering concrete ideas, challenges and opportunities for the future. 

 So,  as  an  initial  step  it  is  very  mportant  to  sit down  with  the  stakeholders  and  community members  for  risk  mapping,  and  to  outline  the social maps which  include  aspects  like durations, frequencies and impacts of the events that people of  the  community have been experiencing. Steps can  be  taken  to  quantify  other  issues.    For example,  if people say  ‘there’s too much rainfall,’ then  how  much  ‘too‐much’  can  be  measured simply by using rain gauge. 

 Measuring the amount of rainfall and converting  it into some quantifying shape was one good example Ms. Neera presented. “Asking community people  to quantify  these standards would be  rather effective and  will  make  community  people  feel  rather  inclusive,”  explains  Ms.  Pradhan.  After  that,  she emphasized how   crucial  i t   i s   to  envision  the  future.   Then  she urged everyone  to  close  the i r   eyes and insightfully think upon the questions 

 1.    How will the community look socially and physically? 2.    What will you and your community do in future? 3.    What are the available resources and what are not? 4.    What will your children’s lives be like? 

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 Even  in  terms  of  the  Assam  project,  these  were  exactly  the  same  kinds  of  questions  she  asked  the stakeholders of Assam while working under this planning method. And these questions were necessary, because  it was asked how  to prepare community people  to envision  their  future. As explained by Ms. Pradhan,  this provides an  interface where  scientists and  community people meet and  the  exact point where the  information provided by scientists can be traced  into simpler terms and then given to  locals. With  a  short  and  cohesive  explanation of  implementation of a planning  project on  a  real  setting  she ended her session on a statement that the community is now ready to draft out future plans. 

 After  the  session,  one  of  the  participants  commented  that  for  her  part  she  found  the  session  really intriguing because, being a science student, she always thought quantitative approach to data collection mattered a lot, but it was only after the session that she actually appreciated the participatory approach of  data  evaluation.      After  taking  comments  from  participants  Dr.  Choudhury  gave  his  concluding remarks restating the real importance of  integrating adaptation into development plans and following a bottom‐up  approach  of  decision  making  to  link  it  with  flexible  planning  for  an  effective  community output. 

  

Youth Energizing Session  Presentation 1: SERVIR Himalaya Science Applications Mr. Sudip Pradhan, Programme Coordinator, Regional Database  Initiative,  ICIMOD provided brief on an earth  observation,  monitoring  and  visualization  system  that  integrates  satellite  and  other  geospatial data  for  improved  scientific  knowledge  and decision. He  stated  that  SERVIER  Science  applications are providing  spatial  and  temporal  data  requirements  integrating  social,  economic  and  environmental information   and   such   applications   being   very   helpful   in   communicating   results   to   mountain development policy and practices mainly on  forest  fire detection and monitoring, disaster  information management,  flood  forecasting,  decadal  land  cover  changes,  agricultural  monitoring,  snow  cover monitoring, decadal glacier changes, coupled routing and excess storage, atmospheric haze monitoring, farm  road  planner,  mountain  geoportal  and  other  innovative  information  systems  and  mobile applications. 

 

 Presentation 2: Innovation with Open Data Mr. Prashant Shrestha, Young  Innovations  familiarized  the participants with  the  concept of open data and highlighted on the  importance and benefits of open data. He talked about how open data can help in  citizen  engagement,  collaborative  governance,  transparency  and  accountability.  The  importance  of open aid data and the importance of tools like AidStream for Aid data reporting were also discussed. He exemplified the use of open data  in analyzing reform program budget allocation per community school in Nepal on SLC pass rate vs. School Sector in 2013/2014. He stated that open data should be accessible, machine  readable,  include  cost  and  licensing  and  stated  that  through  enhanced  use of  open  data $3 trillion economic value could be generated each year globally. He  further explained  the need of  linking business  data,  government  data  and  citizen  data  for  designing  effective  plans  and  programs.  Mr. 

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 Shrestha also  shared  some of  the work  that young  innovations have been doing around open data  in Nepal  like  awareness  campaigns,  capacity  building,  advocacy  and  hackathons  through  initiatives  like Open  Nepal.  He  concluded  the  session  by  indicating  that  open  data  can  be  used  a  valuable  tool  to manage the effects of climate change. 

 

 Presentation 3: Startup Weekend Kathmandu Mr. Brijendra Joshi, Rooster Logic provided an overview of the Startup Weekend and explained  it as a global grassroots movement to foster entrepreneurial spirit with  its presence  in 100+ countries.  It  is a 54‐hour  event  where  developers,  designers,  marketers,  students,  product  managers  and  startup enthusiasts come  together  to  share  ideas,  form  teams, build products and  launch  startups. A Startup Weekend  provides  networking,  resources  and  incentives  for  individuals/teams  to  go  from  idea  to launch.  He  further  stated  that  the  global  support  for  the  Startup  Weekend  has  come  from  various multinational  companies  including  Microsoft  BizSpark,  Google  for  Entrepreneurs,  Coca  Cola, Domain.com and others. He  shared  some of  the  initiatives  from Nepal which originated  the  idea  for Startup Weekend, such as Women Lead Nepal, Nepali Bytes, Flip Karma, Keep Stream, Food Spotting and many more. He  said  “Startup weekend has been  very useful  in building  communities across  the world in over 350+ cities”. Regarding the participation of the people in the event he mentioned that the Startup Weekend attendees’ background is 50% technical, including  developers, coders, and designers, and  50%  business,  mainly  from  the  marketing,  finance  and  law  sectors.  Developing  an  interest  of participation in the event, he stated that whether one is a serial entrepreneur or is new to the startup scene,  every  attendee  is  interested  in  working  with  a  like‐minded,  motivated  and  skilled  team  to develop a product or business in one weekend.   

  

Youth Constituency at UNFCCC Mr. Abhishek Shrestha and Ms. Danae Espinoza (Via Skype), YOUNGO Focal Persons 

  Mr. Abhishek Shrestha  in  his presentation talked on the context of  involvement of youths from COP 11  in the UN Climate meeting as an organized group. He  further added that as the  international youth movement  gained  provisional  constituency  status  in  the  UNFCCC  on  Sept  28, 2009,  it  helped  to coordinate many  youth  groups  into  one  block  to  streamline  communication with  the  secretariat  and provide  more  opportunities  to  make  statements  during  the  plenaries  and  workshops.  Official constituency  at  UNFCCC  representing  youth  is  one  of  the  9  groups  composed  of  individuals  and organizations that actively try to  influence the outcome and process of UN Climate talks. He reiterated the  importance  of  policy,  capacity  building,  actions,  communication,  youth  media  and  conference  of youth  to address youth  ideas and  their concerns on climate change  issues. During  the presentation he explained  in brief on how youths unite and  form groups  to discuss at UN summits. The conference of youth  is an event  that gathers  young people  from  all over  the world  interested  in  conducting actions facing  climate  change  as well  as  sustainable  lifestyles, and  is  organized  every  year  before  COP  for 

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 building capacity of  the youths, developing strategies  for COP and networking with various groups. He stated  that  youth  engagement  in  the UNFCCC  process  has  expanded  and matured over  the  past  five years with a  rapid expansion of youth numbers,  capacity and diversity. He  gave an overview of youth participation  at  UN  climate  talks  and  mentioned  that  focal  points  are  selected  as  representatives  in charge of communicating with the secretariat of the UNFCCC on behalf of youths at the negotiations. For capacity building of the working groups he shed  light on collection and distribution of materials on UNFCCC   related   issues.  He   further   added   that  providing   adequate   tools   to   feed  basic  political information and supporting all youth to be properly empowered is very essential for running sessions on UNFCCC  crash  courses.  He  also  explained  outreach  and  actions  of  working  groups  supporting  youth campaigns  administratively  to drive  youth  actions  at COP. He  emphasized  communication  as  being  a vital  factor  to  connect  with  media  through  videos,  photos  and  blogs.  Highlighting  the  importance  of Policy  working  group  which  acts  as  knowledge  tank  for  policy  state  of  play  and  policy  updates,  he pointed  out  that  as  youths  attract  a  lot  of  attention,  they  should  be  able  to  make  best  use  of  the opportunity  to develop  strategies, messaging points,  and develop outreach plans  to  spread messages around the world on climate change  issues. The main message that he wanted to share was on turning voices  into action, and  sharing  information experiences and knowledge  related  to  climate change and negotiation processes.  He  stated  that,  together,  all  youths  need  to  develop  abilities  and  encourage joint actions with the aim of strengthening the youth climate movement. 

  

DAY III ‐ Field Visit  Field visit was organized on the third day of the workshop to ICIMOD project sites  in Kavre Palanchowk district, Koshi Basin Programme’s Spring and Pond Project showing  local adaptation measures  in water conservation  in  the  middle  hills,  in  cooperation  with  Nepal  Water  Conservation  Foundation  (NCWF). During  the  field  visit Dr.  Santosh Nepal,  ICIMOD provided  introduction  and overall briefing  about  the project. Later Mr. Narendra Dangol and Ms. Sushma Acharya, NCWF briefed the participants about the local adaptation measures that were undertaken in the following areas: 

  Namobuddha  Resort:  At  the  site,  participants  observed  the  adaptation  practices  on  spring 

water recharge technologies and other water treatment methods. 

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Daraune Pokhari: The  site was  cased  to  indicate how  recharge ponds are  instrumental  in  the revival  of  dried  springs  downstream  as  the  historical  pond  at  the  top  of  the  hill  has  been providing  the  water  supply  to  the  community  for  ages  through  recharge  of  springs  in  the downstream area. 

  

Jogipani Pokhari: The site was essential in learning of the effort from community and the action research program on  springs,  storage  towers and water conservation,  joint venture of  ICIMOD and NWCF, on  construction of  recharge ponds  and  its  connection  to  the  springs downstream. The  participants  interacted with  the  locals  and  appreciated  the  use  of  indigenous  knowledge after observing the rehabilitated ponds for recharge. 

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Thati Pokhari: At the site, participants observed the rehabilitated ponds used as source of recharge for ground water. Later some of them also had a short interaction with the local community. 

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 Day IV ‐ Knowledge Session 

 The   knowledge   session   was   based   on   the   market   place   format   featuring   five   displays   and demonstrations of  innovative  solutions  from  ICIMOD works on  climate  change  issues. Each group was allocated  ten  minutes  for explaining  the  technology and answering queries  from  the participants. The briefs on the groups and the innovative ideas are outlined below: 

 Group 1: Geo‐ Fencing Mr.  Rajan  Bajracharya  provided  an  overview  on  use  of  geo‐fencing  as  a  science  application  tool  and stated  that it consists of innovative  and  interactive web mapping  applications which are being used to support  informed decision making  in various thematic areas of ICIMOD. The applications allow dynamic visualization of data produced by  ICIMOD and  its partners and offers user‐  friendly  tools  to query  the data  and  generate  information  useful  to  various  kinds  of  users  such  as  scientists,  environmental managers, decision‐makers, and  the general public. He  informed  that  the best way  to be prepared  for any uncertain disaster  in present  context  is by use  of mobile  applications on  smart phones with GPS integration and access to the internet, which are crucial in sharing information prior to any disasters.  He  further  stated  that  as  the  number  of  users  of  smart  phones  is  high,  the  number  of application user will also be high due  to which  there  is high,  so  that  there  is a high  chance  that  response  to  the disaster can be delivered on  time and  can be used  to alert high numbers of users about  the disaster. These applications alert or send notification/SMS to the people that are near to the disaster by using the technique  called  geo‐fencing,  the  application  for  the  android  platform.  He  said  that  developing  a complete system incorporating  geo‐fencing  and  a notification/alert  system  will  help  to  provide  quick  response    to    the people  in  the need of help. Applications have been developed  and used  in  android platform for disaster alert and response systems, but these applications have not employed the concept of geo‐fencing in the field of disaster response system. 

 He emphasized on the use of geo‐fencing in the android application for disaster response system, which is  regarded as new as well as a very effective  tool  in a post disaster  situation  to  send help  request  to people  in  the near  regions  and  also  alerting other people  about  the disaster  and  suggesting  them  to apply precautions when they enter into the geo‐fence of disaster zones. 

 Group 2: Story Maps Mr. Sameer Bajracharya, GIS Research Associate at  ICIMOD presented on the  importance of story maps explaining  wide  variety  of  issues  and  findings  in  the  Himalayas  through  interactive  map,  text  and multimedia  components. He  further  added  that  such  story maps have been developed  in partnership with ESRI, and published using ARC GIS online facility.  He also stated the story map won the third prize in the ESRI Storytelling with Maps Contest under the category ‘Best Travel and Destinations’ that draws attention  to  the  14  highest  peaks  in  the  world,  all  of  which  are  above  8000  meters  and  located  in the Hindu  Kush  Himalayan  region.  The  story  included  a  general  narrative  with  the  images  of  the  14 peaks and a brief description of each peak. He further explained that   the map was developed using GIS 

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based location data, and  images and information compiled from  ICIMOD and other sources. The  images of the peaks are arranged  in descending order of altitude where users can click on the  image or on the number provided on the map to learn about a particular peak.  He further highlighted the importance of story maps being an excellent way to present geographic data and information in an interesting and creative manner which integrates interactive web maps with text, photos, and video and audio clips, thus allowing the general public to  learn about various places across the globe. 

 Group 3: Use of ICT in Agriculture Mr.  Sushil  Pandey  and  Mr.  Deependra  Tandukar,  ICIMOD,  shared  one  of  the  innovation  projects  of ICIMOD developed  to  foster mountain  knowledge  experience with  an assortment of mechanisms  and instruments  to  collect,  document,  share,  map,  review,  and  importantly  assess  the  appropriate technologies,  solutions  and  good  practices  on  agriculture.  The  idea  is  based  on  the  observation  that carefully documented cases with users’ feedback, usage stories, public grading, evidence‐based and able to provide excellent guidelines  for planners and policy makers. Being a source of  information  to public on  common  social,  economic  and  environmental  problems,  the whole  concept  was  considered  more informative,  relevant,  supportive  and  able  to  provide  instrument  to  assess  impact  with  today’s widespread use of social media, multimedia. Use of  ICT  for development and knowledge management was designed to contribute to ICIMOD’s goal and objectives. Mr. Pandey  shared  the  importance of  the  innovation project  to  inform policy makers, practitioners as well  as  researchers on  identifying  and  demonstrating  the  changes on  agriculture which was  useful  in building a rich HKH mountain dynamic knowledge base. 

 Group 4: Community based Flood Early Warning System Ms. Neera Shrestha Pradhan,  ICIMOD briefed about the  technology and Mr. Narendra Bajracharya and Mr.   Sagar   Bajracharya   demonstrated   on   the   working   mechanism   of   the   system.   Ms.   Pradhan emphasized  the  system  as  an  integrated  system  of  tools  and  plans  to  detect  and  respond  to  flood emergencies that are prepared and managed by the communities.  She added that as the flood warning signal  is  transmitted using wireless  technology  to  the  receiver  downstream,  the warning  can  then be communicated  to  those at  risk.  She also explained  that a properly designed and  implemented  system integrates monitoring  and  flood  detection  tools with  response  plans  prepared  and managed  by  local communities. She shared the success story of the implementation of the system at Singora sub‐basins of the eastern Brahmaputra in Assam, India, which was useful in saving lives and reducing property damage by increasing the time available to respond to floods.        

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It was demonstrated to participants on how  the siren  automatically  produces  a  warning  signal when  the  water  level  reaches  at  pre‐  defined maximum  risk  level  and  the  message  is communicated  by  mobile  phones  to  the downstream communities.  It was explained that the  system  is  low‐tech, cost‐effective, and user‐friendly  consisting  of  two  units  –  a  transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter  is  installed along the  riverbank,  and  the  receiver  is  installed  at  a house near the river. A flood sensor attached to the transmitter detects rising water levels. When the  water  reaches  a  critical  level,  a  signal  is wirelessly transmitted to  the receiver. The  flood warning  is  then  disseminated  via mobile  phone to  concerned  agencies  and  vulnerable communities  downstream.  Critical  flood  levels are set with the help of the local community. 

 Group 5: Communication/Exploring ideas to engage youth in ‘Climate + Change’ exhibition Amy  Sellmyer,  ICIMOD  briefed on  the  exhibition which  is  a  platform  to  share  knowledge  and  stories about  changes  in  the Hindu Kush Himalayan  region, as well as a space  for dialogue  – among  students and  teachers, policy makers and scientists, and  farmers and businessmen. She  indicated  that  the main idea  of  featuring  stunning  photography  from  the  entire  Himalayan  landscape,  including  gigantic panoramas of  the  Everest  region and before‐and‐after photographs of  the  glaciers  as well as  imagery and  statistical  data  from  ICIMOD  was  to  spark  curiosity  and  inspire  visitors  to  look  at  the  challenges facing  the  region  in new ways and bring  together diverse  ideas  to generate new  innovations  to  tackle pressing  issues  in  the most  spectacular  landscape  in  the world.  She  further added  that  the exhibition featured  a  changing  gallery  that  rotated  each  month  with  themes  on  Youth  and  Migration,  Air  and Water,  Sustainable  Living,  Ecosystems  and  Tourism,  and  Culture  and  Heritage.  She  pointed  out  that when students, teachers and citizens visited the exhibition, they  learnt more about the world, country, than  they  knew  before  and were  inspired  to  pursue  education  that  leads  to  them  being  part  of  the solution and not the problem. She explained about exhibition showcasing various photos and interactive items  that highlighted  the challenges  faced by natural  landscapes, ecosystems and communities  in  the face of climate change across several national boundaries. She mentioned  that  ‘Climate+Change’ exhibition  is designed on  three  sections on air, water  and  ice, highlighting the science behind issues like black carbon and its sources and effects, types of floods, flood risk management, alternative irrigation methods and decaying glaciers and ice. Breathtaking, large‐scale photography  from Glacier Works were helpful for visitors to explore the changing Himalayan  landscape in and around Mount Everest, along with scientific explanations  to better understand  the complexities of  glaciers  on  the  rooftop  of  the  world.    She  added  that  throughout  the  exhibition,  solutions  were 

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presented  along with  the  challenges  and  visitors were  encouraged  to  act on  personal  levels  to make changes. 

  

Reporting from participants  Participants were divided in 10 groups and were allocated 45 minutes for making presentation based on the Pecha Kucha  format  (20 slides x 20 seconds  for each slide during presentation). The groups mostly used  pictures  and  photographs  and  explained  what  they  observed  during  field  visits  and  how  their interest  increased  on  adaptation  issues  from  the  sessions  of  the  workshop.  The  group  presentation indicated the participants’ commitment to work on bridging gaps on adaptation  issues,  implementation of  adaptation  technologies  and  practices  on  the  ground.  They  also  strong  emphasis  on  the  socio‐economic challenges being a major constraint faced by young professionals working in the environment and  development  sector.  Participants  seem  highly  energized  during  the  session  as  the  format  of  the presentation was new, interesting and motivating. 

 

  

Closing Session  Experience sharing from participants Ms. Nguyen  Le Van Phuong, a  sustainability  campaigner  from Vietnam expressed her appreciation  for the workshop  and  thanked  all  other  participants  for being  interactive  and  friendly.  She  regarded  the workshop as a platform to gain insight on adaptation issues, and to build knowledge and understanding. She  expressed  hope  that  the workshop would be  instrumental  in mobilizing  joint  youth  initiatives on adaptation in the future. 

 

 Ms.  Shumaila Mansoor  from Pakhtunkhwa province  in Pakistan  shared her experiences of  exchanging  ideas with the participants from the Asia‐Pacific region. She indicated on the workshop resource persons being  highly  experienced  on  issues  of  adaptation.  She  regarded  the  field  visit  as  the most  important aspect of the workshop and requested  ICIMOD to help transfer the water management and alternative technologies  showcased  during  the  forum  to  her  native  province  in  Pakistan.  She  thanked  the 

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workshop  organizers  for  the  hospitality  and  expressed  her  desires  to  work  for mountain  people  and environment continuously in the future. 

 Ms.  Deepa  Basnet,  Nepal  stated  the  need  for  sharing  the  adaptive  measures  from  the  workshop  to the  general  public  and  hoped  that  the  network will  be  useful  in  spreading  awareness  on  adaptation issues. 

 Mr. Amol Acharya, who works with communities in the eastern region of Nepal, thanked ICIMOD for the opportunity  as  the  interaction  with  multidisciplinary  team  during  the  workshop  provided  the  extra motivation  to work  further on adaptation  issues and said he would share his  learning with community stakeholders in his working area. He also sated the need for reviving the indigenous work on adaptation. 

 Ms  Sonam  Lhaden  Khandu  of  the National  Environmental Commission  in Bhutan mentioned  that  she would use her  learning about participatory approaches and  toolkits to measure adaptation  in Bhutan. 

 Key Message from the Director General, ICIMOD 

 At  the  closing  ceremony,  Dr.  David  Molden,  Director General of  ICIMOD gave an overview of  ICIMOD works  in the HKH region and expressed his delight on participation of    young    and    dynamic    professionals    from    media, research,  government  and  activists  on  the  training workshop. He  said,  “By  engaging  youth  from  the  region and  beyond,  we  hope  to  build  a  cohort  of  climate‐ aware/adaptation  aware  young  ambassadors  as  they network,  collaborate,  advocate  and  amass  support  for 

the  good  science  and  knowledge  that  we  foster  at  ICIMOD.”  He  urged  the  participants  to  use  the network  in providing knowledge  to  the decision makers and make  them accountable  for  the decisions they take on climate change adaptation issues as the impacts of climate change are likely to exacerbate living conditions. 

 

 Ms.  Smita  Ghimire  from  ICIMOD  presented  vote  of  thanks  to  all  the  participants,  organizers  and supporting staffs and appreciated their efforts in making the event successful. 

 Final Remarks and Way Forward Ms. Anja Moller Rasmussen, Senior Manager of  the Knowledge Management and Communication Unit at  ICIMOD,  in  her  concluding  remarks,  highlighted  the  importance  of  the  knowledge  on  adaptation issues  as  the  key  to  addressing  the  future  challenges.  She  hoped  for  lots  of  interactions  among  the participants for raising the issues of adaptation at forthcoming UN events.  

She  said,  “This  forum  provided  young  professionals from  the  Asia‐Pacific  region  a  platform  to  network, collaborate,   and   communicate.  Over   the   past   four 

29

  

 

days, participants have observed first‐hand what we do at  ICIMOD  through  innovative  knowledge  sharing techniques.”  She  reiterated  the  importance  of  the training workshop  in finding new ways of collaboration among young professionals  from Asia pacific  region  to share  the  issues  on  climate  change  adaptation  and  to bring     the    mountain    agendas     to a   global     level. 

   

 

 

 

 

Annex I - Agenda for the Workshop   Asia Pacific Youth Forum and Training Workshop 2014 ‘Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and Gaps beyond Boundaries’ 

 21–24 September, 2014 Kathmandu, Nepal 

 Day 1 (Sunday, 21 September 2014) – Soft Opening 

 Venue: ICIMOD Knowledge Park, Godavari 

 Time  Particulars  Responsible person 9:30 AM  Arrival and registration  Ms Smita Ghimire, ICIMOD 9:30 ‐ 9:40  Welcome Remarks  Dr David Molden, Director General, 

ICIMOD 9:40 ‐10:00  Opening Remarks  Ms Anja Moller Rasmussen, Senior 

Manager, Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC), ICIMOD 

10:00 ‐11:15  Tone Setting and Overview of the four day forum Documentary Screening: ‘DISRUPTION’ 

11:15 ‐11:30  Tea break 11:30 ‐ 11:50  Presentation and discussion on National‐ 

Regional‐Global process (UNFCCC) Interface 

Mr Udayan Mishra, ICIMOD Mr Utsav Maden, ICIMOD    Mr Ugan Manandhar, Deputy Director, Climate Change, Freshwater and Energy, WWF Nepal 

 11:50 ‐ 12:00  Short introduction on networking and social 

media usage, Pecha Kucha presentation format during the forum 

12:00 ‐ 13:00  Participants Introduction, Trust building and Networking Exercise 

13:00 ‐ 14:00  Lunch 14:00 ‐ 17:00  Half day orientation and showcasing of the 

key technologies for adaptation at the ICIMOD Knowledge Park + Hands‐on Workshop on key technologies *Detail activity plan available in attached sheet (Field Activity I) 

18:30 ‐ 20:30  Reception dinner/Cultural show Venue: Utsav Authentic Nepali Restaurant, Lal Durbar, Durbar Marg 

Mr Utsav Maden, ICIMOD Mr Udayan Mishra, ICIMOD 

 KMC team    ICIMOD Knowledge Park Staff: Mr Jeevan Tamang Mr Poorna Thapa Ms Yashodha Budhathoki (Assisted by KMC Team)   Ms Prerna Thapa Mr Shiva Hari Khatri 

30

   

 

    Day 2 (Monday, 22 September 2014) – Formal Opening 

 Venue: ICIMOD Headquarters, Khumaltar, Lalitpur 

 Time  Particulars      Responsible person 9:00  Arrival of the guests and Participants, Forum 

Inauguration Ms Smita Ghimire + KMC team 

9:10 – 9:25  Welcome Remarks      Dr David Molden, ICIMOD 9:25 – 9:40  Overview of the event      Ms Anja Moller Rasmussen, 

ICIMOD 

Keynote Presentation Session: Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and Gaps beyond Boundaries 

9:40 – 10:00  International Context      Dr Daisuke Sano, Director, APAN/IGES 

10:00 – 10:20  Civil Society Context      Dr Arjun Karki, International Coordinator, LDC Watch 

10:20 – 10:40  Youth Context      Mr Gagan Thapa, Youth leader, Member of Constituent Assembly, Government of Nepal 

10:40 – 11: 00  Special Remarks from the Chief Guesthighlighting Government Context 

  Prof. Dr Govind Raj Pokhrel, Vice Chairman, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal 

11:00 ‐ 11:30    Group Photo, Tea Break Overview Presentation Session 

11:30 – 12:00  Mountain Context      Dr Dhrupad Choudhury, ICIMOD 12:00 – 13:00  Presentation on Adaptation 

toolkit/Adaptation Highway + Discussion points sharing on using tools to operationalizing adaption in their work 

Dr Dhrupad Choudhury, ICIMOD Ms Neera Shrestha Pradhan, ICIMOD 

13:00 – 14:00      Lunch  Youth Energizing Session 

14:00 – 16:00  Leading by Example 3 motivational presentations

    Mr Sudip Pradhan, ICIMOD Mr Prashant Shrestha, Young Innovations Mr Brijendra Joshi, Rooster Logic 

16:00 – 17:00  Youth constituency at UNFCCC    Mr Abhishek Shrestha and Ms Danaé Espinoza, YOUNGO Focal person (via Skype) 

31

   

 

 Day 3 (Tuesday, 23 September 2014) – Field Visit 

 - Field visit to ICIMOD project sites in Kavre Palanchowk district, Koshi Basin Programme’s (KBP) Spring and 

Pond project showing local adaptation measures in water conservation in the middle hills, in cooperation with KBP staff and Nepal Water Conservation Foundation(NWCF) 

- *More information about the visit and resource persons is available in a separate sheet (Field Activity II).  

   

Time  Programme      Remarks 6:30 AM Sharp  Departure from Koteshwor     7:45 AM  Arrive at Dhulikhel       7:45 – 8:30      Breakfast

8:30 – 9:15  Arrive at Namobuddha Resort    9:15 – 11:00  Work Site visit within Namobuddha 

Resort Facilitated by Mr Narendra Dangol and Ms Sushma Acharya 

11:00 – 11:30  Short Rest       12:15  Arrive back to Dhulikhel      12:15 – 13:30      Lunch and Rest 13:30  Head towards Thati Pokhari     14:00 – 15:30  Introduction by ICIMOD Resource 

Person and overall briefing about the project SSTWC. 

 Briefing about the field experience and implementation part of the project 

 Documenting of the public interaction and conducting interviews with few locals and participants. 

Dr Santosh Nepal, ICIMOD     Ms Sushma Acharya, NWCF 

    Mr Prakash Sundash, Local Radio Journalist from Radio Namobuddha 

15:30 – 17:00    Travel back to Kathmandu

32

   

 

 Forum Day 4 (Wednesday, 24 September 2014) 

Venue: ICIMOD Headquarters, Khumaltar, Lalitpur 

Time  Particulars  Responsible person 9:00 –  9:10  Recap of the event  Volunteer participant 

  Knowledge Session 9:10 – 10:30  Group Activity: KnowledgeMarket Place 

Brainstorming ideas in groups and Communicating solutions through effective Knowledge Management (KM) and Communication Tools 

Ms Anja Moller Rasmussen Mr Udayan Mishra Mr Utsav Maden 

Group 1: Geo‐fencing  Mr Rajan Bajracharya Group 2: Story Maps  Mr Sameer Bajracharya, 

Mr Sudip Pradhan Group 3: Case of ICT in agriculture, ICIMOD’s Innovation project 

Mr Sushil Pandey, Mr Deependra Tandukar 

Group 4: Community based Early Warning System Mr Narendra Bajracharya Ms Neera Shrestha Pradhan Mr Sagar Bajracharya Mr Umesh Khanal 

Group 5: Communication (Making Science Message travel beyond boundaries, Exploring Ideas to Engage Youth in the ‘Climate+Change’ Exhibition) 

Mr Ujol Sherchan 

10:30 – 11:00  Plenary Presentation from the groups  Plenary 11:00 – 11:15  Tea break

11:15 – 12:00  Preparation time for presentation by participants incorporating learnings from the event + additional Ideas (for the session after lunch) 

Participants 

12:00 – 13:00  Lunch 13:00 – 14:45  Reporting from the representative participant 

(based on Pecha Kucha format, 20 slides x 20 seconds for each slide) 

Participants (Group leader) 

14:45 – 15:00  Evaluation form submission     Closing Session 15:00 – 15:45  Experience sharing from the participants (HKH, and 

beyond HKH) Participants 

15:45 – 16:00  Sharing key observations from the event ICIMOD

16:00 – 16:15  Key Message from the Director General, ICIMOD  Dr David Molden, ICIMOD 

33

   

 

 16:15 – 16:30  Certificate Distribution Dr David Molden, 

Ms Anja Moller Rasmussen, Ms Smita Ghimire 

16:30 – 16:40  Vote of Thanks  Ms Smita Ghimire, ICIMOD 16:40 – 17:00  Final Remarks and Way forward  Ms Anja Rasmussen, ICIMOD 

  Field activity I 

 SUNDAY, 21 September 2014, ICIMOD Knowledge Park, Godavari 

 Time: 14:00 – 16:30 

 Group  Responsible Person  Activities Group 1  Mr Jeevan Tamang 

Ms Smita Ghimire    Half an hour allocated to each group to have a hands on training on Bio‐Briquette Technology at ICIMOD Point‐1 

Starting point ‐ Training Centre - Solar Technologies, Bio Briquette (hands on 

exercise), Flood Early Warning System, Cool Chamber, Peltric Set, Water Harvesting, Kiwi Fruits, SALT, Medicinal plant, Nursery 

 

 Assemble back to the Training Centre. 

Group 2  Mr Poorna Thapa Mr Udayan Mishra 

    Half an hour allocated to each group to have a hands on training on Bio‐Briquette Technology at ICIMOD Point‐1 

Starting point ‐ Training Centre- Medicinal Plants, Mushroom, Carbon 

Monitoring, Solar, Bio Briquette (hands on exercise), Flood Early Warning System, Cool Chamber, Peltric Set, Water harvesting, Kiwi Fruits, SALT, Wetland, Nursery, 

Assemble back to the Training Centre. 

Group 3  Ms Yashodha Budhathoki Mr Utsav Maden 

    Half an hour allocated to each group to have a hands on training on Bio‐Briquette Technology at ICIMOD Point‐1 

Starting point‐ Training Centre - Wetland,  Nursery, Composting, Medicinal 

Plants, Mushroom, Solar, Bio Briquette (hands on exercise), Flood Early Warning System, Cool Chamber, Peltric Set, Water harvesting, Kiwi Fruits, SALT 

 Assemble back to the Training Centre. 

34

   

 

 Field Activity II 

 WEDNESDAY, 23 September 2014, Visit to ICIMOD’s project site on springs and ponds 

 Organized by ICIMOD with support from Nepal Water Conservation Foundation (NWCF) 

Time: 06:00 – 17:00 

Places of visit:  

- Namobuddha Resort and it’s premises - SSTWC (Springs, Storage Towers and Water Conservation) project sites 

o Daraune Pokhari, Jogipani Pokhari, Thati Pokhari  Purpose of the visit: 

  Namobuddha  Resort  area   to  observe   the  adaptation  practices  on  spring  water   recharge 

technologies and other water treatment methods.  Daraune Pokhari: The historical pond at the  top of the hill has been providing water supply to 

the  community  for ages  through  recharge of  springs  in  the downstream area. The  site  can be cased  to  indicate  how  recharge  ponds  are  instrumental  in  the  revival  of  dried  springs downstream. 

Jogipani  Pokhari  to  see  the  effort  from  community  and  the  action  research  programme  on SSTWC,   joint  venture  of  ICIMOD  and  NWCF,  on  construction  of  recharge  ponds  and   its connection  to  the  springs downstream. After  consultation with  the  locals,  learning  from  their indigenous knowledge, the history of the place regarding pond‐spring relationship, and scientific theory  developed  after  doing  some  geological  study  around  the  place,  this  study  and  action work intends to explain the relation between ponds and springs. 

Thati Pokhari: to observe the rehabilitated ponds for recharge and have a short interaction with the local community. 

 Facilitators and resource persons: 

 1.    Dr Santosh Nepal, Hydrologist, Associate Coordinator ‐ Koshi Basin Programme (KBP), ICIMOD 2.    Ms  Sushma  Acharya,  Research  Associate  at  NWCF,  program  co‐coordinator/focal  person  of 

SSTWC program from NWCF’s side 3.    Mr Narendra Dangol, Resource person from Namobuddha Resort 4.    Mr Prakash Sundash, Local radio Journalist, Radio Namobuddha 

35

   

 

 Annex II ‐ List of Participants 

 List of Selected Participants 

 Asia Pacific Youth Forum and Training Workshop 2014: 

 Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and Gaps beyond Boundaries 

 21 – 24 September 2014 

 Kathmandu, Nepal 

 S.N.  Country  Name 

1  Australia  Ms Louisa Zhang 

2  Bangladesh  Mr Syed Tasfiq Mahmood 

3  Bangladesh  Mr Mohammad Barikul Islam 

4  Bangladesh  Ms Asma Al Amin 

5  Bangladesh  Ms Shahin Sultana 

6  Bhutan  Mr Tshering Dorji 

7  Bhutan  Ms Jigme Choki 

8  Bhutan  Ms Sonam Lhaden Khandu 

9  Cambodia  Mr Sok Lak 

10  China  Ms Yang Yue 

11  China  Ms Yingfeng Bi 

12  China  Ms Zhaozhao Zeng 

13  China  Dr Jinniu Wang 

36

    

 

 14  India  Mr Don Patrick Kharsati 

15  India  Ms Meenakshi Negi 

16  India  Ms Shatakshi T Gawade 

17  Indonesia  Mr Stevie Leonard Harison 

18  Japan  Mr Hiroki Mizuochi 

19  Kazakhstan  Mr Aidos Adilkasymuly Mukash 

20  Mongolia  Ms Batsuren Sunny Sundui 

21  Myanmar  Mr Mai Awng Seng 

22  Nepal  Ms Anu Shrestha 

23  Nepal  Ms Bijaya Sharma 

24  Nepal  Ms Deepa Basnet 

25  Nepal  Ms Tina Baidar 

26  Nepal  Mr Prabesh Devkota 

27  Nepal  Mr Bigyan Neupane 

28  Nepal  Mr Sujan Subedi 

29  Nepal  Ms Shuvechchhya Pradhan 

30  Nepal  Ms Rubi Paudel 

31  Nepal  Ms Ayusha Dangol 

32  Nepal  Ms Kripa Devi Bhandari 

37

    

 

 33  Nepal  Ms Anandeeta Gurung 

34  Nepal  Ms Ahana Shrestha 

35  Nepal  Mr Bashudev Neupane 

36  Nepal  Mr Arun Adhikari 

37  Nepal  Mr Amol Acharya 

38  Nepal  Mr Suman Ghimire 

39  Nepal  Ms Shreeya Joshi 

40  Nepal  Ms Anju Rana 

41  Pakistan  Mr Deedar Karim 

42  Pakistan  Ms Shumaila Mansoor 

43  Pakistan  Mr Asghar Khan 

44  Philippines  Mr Jake Chew Soriano 

45  Srilanka  Ms Disna Mangalika Mudalige 

46  Thailand  Ms Sukanya Kammales 

47  Vietnam  Ms Nguyen Le Van Phuong 

 

  

Asia Pacific Youth Forum and Training

Workshop 2014

‘Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and

Gaps beyond Boundaries’

21-24 September 2014

Kathmandu, Nepal

Evaluation Report

2

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... 3

List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 4

List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 4

Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 5

1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 6

2. Demographics ........................................................................................................................................... 6

3. Self Assessment......................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Summary of feedback......................................................................................................................... 7

4. Event Feedback ......................................................................................................................................... 8

4.1 Pre- workshop information................................................................................................................. 8

4.2 Summary of feedback for each competency...................................................................................... 8

4.2.1 Competency 1 .............................................................................................................................. 8

4.2.2 Competency 2 .............................................................................................................................. 9

4.2.3 Competency 3 .............................................................................................................................. 9

4.2.4 Competency 4 ............................................................................................................................ 10

4.2.5 Competency 5 ............................................................................................................................ 10

5. Content of the Workshop ....................................................................................................................... 11

5.1 Topics or aspects of the workshop that were interesting and useful ............................................ 11

5.2 Specific recommendations participants consider incorporating in the work................................... 13

5.3 Comments on the field sites visited.................................................................................................. 14

5.4 Activities or initiatives that would be useful for the future ............................................................. 14

5.5 Comments and suggestions on overall aspect of the workshop ...................................................... 15

6. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 16

3

List of Abbreviations

APAN Asia Pacific Adaptation Network

APMN Asia Pacific Mountain Network

CCA Climate Change Adaptation

HKH Hindu Kush Himalayan

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

IGES Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

KBP Koshi Basin Programme

NPC National Planning Commission

SDG Sustainable Development Goals

4

List of Figures

Figure 1: Participants’ Demographics ............................................................................................................ 6

Figure 2: Overall usefulness of the training workshop ................................................................................. 8

Figure 3: Presentations were interesting and practical ................................................................................ 9

Figure 4: Extent to which the training raised the awareness on adaptation issue....................................... 9

Figure 5: Participation and interaction were encouraged .......................................................................... 10

Figure 6: Applicability of the knowledge in work ....................................................................................... 11

List of Tables

Table 1: Summary of interesting sessions/ useful topics............................................................................ 11

5

Executive Summary

The Asia Pacific Youth Forum and Training Workshop ‘Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and Gaps

Beyond Boundaries’ was organized by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

(ICIMOD) through its Asia pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), in partnership with the Asia pacific

Mountain Network (APMN) on September 21-24 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The 4-day workshop was aimed at

increasing the knowledge on adaptation practices of young professionals from the Asia Pacific region. It

provided an opportunity for young professionals to interact with high-level bureaucrats, government

representatives, youth leaders, researchers and tech innovators from the region and share ideas and

knowledge about adaptation issues and practices.

This report assesses the overall feedback of the participants from the workshop, focusing on the

summary and outcomes, emerging needs for training and on recommendations from the training

workshop. The content of the workshop was highly informative, relevant and useful for almost all of the

participants. However, due to different levels of knowledge on adaptation issues, a majority found the

content new to their knowledge. The top ranking topics which were new, interesting and useful for the

participants were Adaptation Toolkit/ Adaptation Highway; Community based Flood Early Warning

System and demonstration of adaption works and technologies on the field visit.

The workshop was highly informative and valuable for the participants, as around 83% of the participants

were extremely satisfied with the organization and execution of the event. Most of the participants

considered methodologies used as mostly effective and appropriate. Participants were satisfied with the

materials given and information provided prior to the workshop.

All the participants expressed their willingness to work and gain more knowledge on adaptation issues.

Some of them commented that lack of knowledge on adaptation still poses a major challenge and

suggested that IGES, APAN and ICIMOD should organize more events that provide knowledge exchange

and technical assistance on adaptation issues. Participants also suggested some interesting topics for

future events on sharing traditional practices on adaptation, discussion on upstream and downstream

concerns and training of stakeholders from the region.

6

1. Introduction

Although the impact of climate change continues to increase in mountain areas, there is a lack of

knowledge and information about the various adaptation practices being implemented by societies,

institutions, and individuals in the mountains. Accordingly, there is need to identify the issues and gaps

in relation to adaptation in the mountains in the Asia Pacific region, and beyond. In order to address this

challenge, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its Asia

Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN), in partnership with the Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN)

organized Asia Pacific Youth Forum and Training Workshop ‘Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and

Gaps Beyond Boundaries’ on September 21-24 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The main objectives of the workshop were to share evidence-based knowledge to improve

understanding of actions for adaptation and to identify and discuss the roles of stakeholders, adaptation

options, and cross-border issues.

This report assesses the degree of which the workshop was able to achieve its objectives and

summarizes valuable feedback from the participants based on their responses in evaluation forms. This

report provides comments on the workshop sessions and presentations and also includes suggestions

and recommendations provided by the participants for future events.

2. Demographics

All the 47 participants were from the Asia

pacific region and selection was made based on

academic discipline, age, work experience,

gender and geographic scope. Government

officials were also invited from ICIMOD member

countries to share their knowledge and work on

adaptation issues with the young professionals

from the Asia Pacific region. The age range of

the participants was 23 – 32 years. There

were more female participants than male, as

shown in

figure.

Female

56%

Male

44%

Figure 1: Participants Demographics

3. SelfAssessment

Prior to the workshop, participants were asked for their involvement on issues related to the training

workshop topics such as Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation, Sustainable Mountain

Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants were also asked to prioritize the

environmental challenges faced by their respective countries. In order to evaluate whether learning

objectives were met, participants were asked about their plans after attending the workshop and their

7

role in influencing discussions at global and national levels on adaptation issues. Selection of the

participants was done on the basis of the response to the following questions:

1. Prioritize the environmental challenges your country is facing.

2. Past involvement on issues related to Climate Change Adaptation.

3. How can young professionals influence discussions at global, regional and national levels?

4. What do you plan to do in your country after attending the training workshop?

5. Skill sets and experiences on Climate Change

issues.

3.1 Summary of feedback

There is a general trend of improved knowledge on adaptation issues after the workshop. On average

nearly 85% of the participants perceived an increase in knowledge in adaptation issues and

technologies. The training workshop consisted of young professionals from the Asia Pacific and

government representatives from the HKH region and was effective in sharing knowledge and paving

the way for actions on adaptation issues.

Since the participants were from various backgrounds involving activists, researchers, young

professionals, journalists and government representatives only few of them (nearly 30%) had mentioned

their involvement on adaptation works and the low level of knowledge on adaptation issues. Some of

the participants mentioned the importance of the knowledge on adaptation issues from the workshop

being very useful in raising awareness on adaptation issues and motivating them to work on adaptation

issues in the future. During the pre-evaluation of the workshop participants committed themselves to

using the knowledge from workshop at their workplace and community, and on post-evaluation of the

workshop mentioned the works they will undertake in their areas of involvement. Journalists

mentioned about communicating the adaptation issues with high priority and doing more in- depth

research on adaptation technologies and strategies currently being practiced in mountain areas.

Participants working in research and development organizations were mostly interested in

implementation of the Community-Based Flood Early Warning System and replicating the idea of the

Adaptation Toolkit and Adaptation Highway. Almost all the participants mentioned the usefulness of the

demonstration of adaptation technologies from ICIMOD Knowledge Park and ICIMOD project site on

spring and pond project showing local adaptation measures in water conservation.

There is improved rating in all the competencies after the workshop. The ratings were done for the first

5 questions with level 1-5 (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest). The next 5 questions were on

aspects of the workshop, specific recommendations from the participants for incorporating the

knowledge into their workplace, and comments on the field visit and sessions. The participants also

provided their valuable suggestions regarding the future initiatives that need to be undertaken on

adaptation issues.

8

4. Event Feedback

4.1 Pre-Workshop information

Information about the workshop (e.g. topics, agenda, and logistics) was given to the participants before

the workshop. Due to the late response from the participants about their confirmation on participation

in the workshop, the workshop resource material was not included in the pre-workshop information kit

but was provided on the day before the soft opening of the workshop. In spite of the time constraint,

around 70% of the participants thought that the pre-workshop information provided to them was useful

and accurate, while the remaining participants mentioned the information on field sites and local

weather conditions not being effectively communicated prior to the workshop.

4.2 Summary of feedback for each competency

The evaluation summary provided an account of participants’ view of various aspects of the training

workshop on Adaptation in the Mountains: Issues and Gaps beyond Boundaries. Participants were asked

to rate the specific elements of the Training Workshop in relation to usefulness of the training

workshop, presentations being interesting and practical, increase in awareness on adaptation issues,

encouragement of interaction and participation during the workshop and on the knowledge and skills

from the workshop being applicable to the work.

4.2.1 Competency 1

Rate the Overall usefulness of the youth forum-cum-training workshop

After the workshop nearly 49% of the participants mentioned the training workshop being mostly useful

and 32% of them regarded the training workshop being extremely useful. The remaining 19% of the

participants regarded the workshop as being partially useful. However, nobody gave low ratings on

usefulness of the training workshop.

25

20

15

10

5

0

Not at all Not sure partially Mostly Extremely

Figure 2: Overall usefulness of the training workshop

9

4.2.2 Competency 2

The presentations were interesting and practical

Participants were asked to give an overall rating on the presentations and sessions on overall of the

training workshop. Around 58% of them thought the sessions were mostly interesting and useful,

while 28% of them thought that all the sessions were extremely interesting and useful. Only the

remaining 14% of them thought that the sessions were partially interesting and practical.

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Not at all Not sure partially Mostly Extremely

Figure 3: Presentations were interesting and practical

4.2.3 Competency 3

Extent to which the training raised your awareness on adaptation issues

The workshop was organized to increase the participants’ knowledge on adaptation issues, and so they

were asked to rate the awareness level on adaptation issues after the workshop. Around 47% of the

participants were mostly aware and 42% of them were extremely aware on issues of adaptation after

the workshop. Nearly 9% of the participants felt partially aware and t he remaining 2% of them were

not sure about the awareness raised after the workshop.

25

20

15

10

5

0

Not at all Not sure partially Mostly Extremely

Figure 4: Extent to which the training raised the awareness on adaptation issue

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4.2.4 Competency 4

Participation and interaction were encouraged

The sessions and presentations of the training workshop were designed to encourage the interactions

among participants and resource persons. Nearly 56% of the participants mentioned the workshop as

being extremely interactive and involving participants in active discussions during the sessions. 35% of

them mentioned the sessions being mostly interactive and the remaining 9% of them thought that

participation and interaction were partially encouraged.

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Not at all Not sure partially Mostly Extremely

Figure 5: Participation and interaction were encouraged

4.2.5 Competency 5

The knowledge/skills gained through the training workshop are directly applicable to your

work

The 4-day training workshop was designed to share knowledge on adaptation issues and for field site

demonstrations of adaptation technologies in the region. Young professionals got an overview of

adaptation issues and technologies and mentioned their interest in working on adaptation issues in their

respective works. As the majority of participants were students, activists, journalists, researchers and

young professionals, around 49% of the participants found the knowledge from the training workshop

being mostly applicable and 33% of them found the knowledge to be extremely applicable. 16% of the

participants thought the knowledge gained was partially applicable and only 2% of the participants

thought that the knowledge and skills gained through the training workshop are not applicable in their

working areas.

11

25

20

15

10

5

0

Not at all Not sure partially Mostly Extremely

Figure 6: Applicability of the knowledge in work

5. Content of the Workshop

Participants were asked to mention the most interesting sessions and share their future plans on

applying the knowledge from the training workshop on their work. Additionally the participants were

also requested to provide recommendations and additional comments on the training workshop.

5.1 Topics or aspects of the workshop that were interesting and useful

Since the participants consisted of young professionals with diverse backgrounds, all the sessions were

mentioned by them as useful and interesting. The most interesting topic for the participants was the

presentation on Adaptation Toolkit/ Adaptation Highway as it provided new knowledge on bottom to

top approach in designing new policies and programs involving community participation. Other top

interesting/ useful sessions were the Community-Based Flood Early Warning System showcase at

marketplace, the demonstration of technologies from ICIMOD Knowledge Park, the field visit to Koshi

Basin Programme (KBP) Spring and Pond project, the Presentation on UNFCCC interface, the keynote

presentation session on international, civil society and youth context on adaptation, special remarks

from the Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission(NPC) of Nepal, and the session of group

presentation from the participants.

Table 1: Summary of interesting sessions/ useful topics

S.N Interesting/ Useful Topics No. of

Votes

Comments

1 Presentation on Adaptation Toolkit/

Adaptation Highway and following

discussions

29 Clarity, interesting and relevant, great

resource speakers, lot of new insights

on working with community, increase

in ability to understand adaptation

works

2 Demonstration of Community-Based Flood

Early Warning System

27 Easy to replicate, very useful for

communities, easy to install with

simple technology, potential of saving

lives and property in greater extent

12

3 Demonstration of technologies from

ICIMOD Knowledge Park

25 Relevant for HKH region, simple and

practical, involves traditional

knowledge, low cost technologies,

hands on experience on preparing bio-

briquettes

4 Field visit to Spring and Ponds Project

showing local adaptation measures in water

conservation

22 Use of traditional methods for water

harvesting, community participation in

the project, solutions to water scarcity

problem

5 Knowledge Session on Market Place

consisting of 5 innovative ideas on

adaptation

21 Short time to brief about the

technology, interactive and

practical demonstration of the

technologies, very useful for

general people

6 Session on International, Civil Society and

Youth contexts on adaptation

17 New insight on the issues, coordination

required between various sectors,

sharing of common concerns

7 Trust building and Networking Exercise 16 Interactive, interesting, very enjoyable

8 Remarks from the Vice Chairman, National

Planning Commission, Government of Nepal

14 Ideas on economic growth with

environment conservation and

sustainable development

9 Experience sharing from the participants 12 Applicability of the technologies, use of

the network in the future, learn from

the experiences

10 Discussion on National-Regional-Global

process on UNFCCC interface

11 Good overview of the climate change

negotiation process, interactive,

increase in ability to understand the

process and annual events

11 Youth energizing session on 3 motivational

Presentations

10 New information about open data, use

of networks for innovative ideas

12 All sessions 10 Need of adaptation measures, use of

technologies, relevant to working area

13 Documentary Screening 8 Motivating for taking actions, idea on

organization of collective actions

13

5.2 Specific recommendations participants consider incorporating in the work

The participants were asked to specify the recommendations from the workshop that they consider

incorporating in their work. Since the participants were from diverse backgrounds, the responses of the

participants were also diverse . Almost 80% participants mentioned local adaptation measures in water

conservation form ICIMOD Spring and Pond project at Kavre Palanchowk district being very practicable

and easy to replicate. Participants from the South Asia region were very determined to install

Community-Based Flood Early Warning System in their communities and were interested in transfer of

the technology. Almost all the participants mentioned that they will work in spreading the knowledge

from the workshop through presentations and social media. Some of the other initiatives that

participants consider incorporating in their work are:

� Using the knowledge from Adaptation Toolkit/ Adaptation Highway to empower the community

� Advocacy about the technology and knowledge from the ICIMOD Knowledge Park and project

site in their institution, workplace and community

� Identifying the cost effective adaptation measures from the ICIMOD Knowledge Park to

be replicated in the Asia Pacific region

� Developing mobile apps and web pages for sharing knowledge on agriculture, water and

disaster

� Comparing the natural water management practices of Nepal and Japan

� Seed bank establishment in rural villages of India

� Integrating the adaptation toolkit with GIS analysis

� Working more on water conservation measures

� Assessment of economic impacts of the technologies

� Further research on fog water harvesting

� Replication of small scale adaptation practices

� Social networking on adaptation strategies and technologies

� Story maps development

� Journalists keen on giving more priority and space to articles on climate change adaptation

� Organizing similar workshops

� Replicating the idea of Climate+Change exhibition

� Communicating climate change and adaptation issues through news and writing articles

� Further research on the technologies

� Working for increasing co-operation between government organizations and local people on

climate change issues

� Promoting trans boundary projects on adaptation

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5.3 Comments on the field sites visited

All participants believed the knowledge gained from the field site provided with a sense of hope in

adaptation measures. Some of the participants interacted with community and documented their

concerns about water conservation measures being able to unite the community for use of the common

resources.

A few participants mentioned that information on local weather conditions and routes not effectively

communicated prior to the workshop. Some of them commented about the field staffs being friendly

and resource persons answering all their queries. According to one of the participants the most thrilling

part of the field visit was the rain, as there was heavy rainfall that made the road slippery.

Overall the participants were impressed by the work of the ICIMOD to promote and establish

partnerships with organizations implementing adaptation initiatives and result oriented field

interventions.

5.4 Activities or Initiatives that would be useful for the future

Participants suggested the following activities or initiatives for the future events

� Capacity building of local institutions on adaptation measures

� Implementation of success stories to whole HKH region

� Memorandum of understanding between the state government from HKH region and ICIMOD

on adaptation measures

� Training of stakeholders from Asia Pacific region

� Workshop should also focus on technologies from other region

� More group activities, case study finding and sharing from the regional perspective

� Incorporating cultural exchange among mountain participants

� Sharing of traditional practices on adaptation

� Focus more on exploring issues and gaps

� Making presentations more interactive

� Sharing of the knowledge to other young professionals who couldn’t participate

� Involving national media on sharing of the technologies

� Video sharing session about the updated environmental conditions from each country

� Business incubation programs promoting eco friendly ideas

� Organizing local level programs on adaptation in community

� Allocating more time for market place

� One week long training workshop would be better

� Sharing the learning from local level to national and international level

� Discussion on upstream and downstream concerns on adaptation issues

� Regular update to participants about ICIMOD future works and new initiatives on adaptation

issue

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5.5 Comments and suggestions on overall aspect of the workshop

Participants thanked event organizing committee for well prepared and comprehensively managed

workshop and wished for continuation of partnership of ICIMOD and APAN for future events on

adaptation issues. Some of the major comments and suggestions are mentioned below.

� Content of the workshop was interesting and participants were enthusiastic to learn and share

issues on adaptation

� ICIMOD should keep on encouraging young professionals to work on climate change adaptation

issues

� Information about workshop should be conveyed more earlier

� Very tight schedule of the workshop so increasing the number of days might have been better

� Everything excellent

� Interaction with government representatives from the region was useful to increase knowledge

� Thanks to ICIMOD for providing wonderful opportunity and exotic experience to participate in

the event and explore Nepal

� Mountain camping session for a day would have been good

� Save electricity during indoor presentation(less lightening, opening the widow etc)

� Resource persons having different backgrounds helped to understand various perspectives on

climate change and adaptation issues

� Creating an online platform for establishing network with all participants

� Accommodation at same hotel for both government representatives and young professionals

� Providing information about the safety measures before the field visit

� Speakers should stay after sessions for tea and lunch breaks so participants can have enough

time for interaction with the resource persons

� The training workshop will help to bring transformation in research culture along mountains

with the help of researchers from different parts of the world

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6. Conclusion

The four-day workshop was aimed at providing insight on the issues of adaptation in the mountain

context and identifying gaps on adaptation beyond boundaries. As the participants were from diverse

sectors and most of them were young professionals, the training workshop enabled the participants to

learn on adaptation practices that are relevant for mountains and to share their concerns. This can

lead to more discussions and the formulation of new programs and policies on adaptation in the Asia

Pacific region.

Around 75% of the participants considered the content of the training workshop to be new to them. The

top ranking topics which were new, interesting and useful for the participants were Adaptation

Highway/ Adaptation Toolkit, the Community-Based Flood Early Warning System, innovative examples

from the ICIMOD’s work, the youth energizing session, and presentations on international, national,

government, and youth context on adaptation. On the other hand, the field visits on the first and

third days of the training workshop were regarded as the key to understand and share the field

demonstrations and practices on adaptation.

The workshop recognizes the need of prioritizing the adaptation issue from local, national and

international contexts and highlights the importance of sharing knowledge from the Asia Pacific region.

This workshop is an important initial step to increase knowledge of young professionals on adaptation

issues. The participants called for more events for information exchange on adaptation issues and stated

the need of collaboration for exchange of knowledge on adaptation issues. Suggested topics for the

future events are sharing of traditional knowledge and practices on adaptation, business incubation

programs that support adaptation, training of stakeholders from the region and discussion on upstream

and downstream concerns on adaptation issues.