PLAN ESTRATÉGICO

Community based partnerships with the private sector are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the tourism sector. Not only can such partnerships be beneficial to the host communities but they can also add credibility to the private sector actors, although the reverse can also be true. Good relationships are built on clear communication and universal understanding. This research has shown that partnership is not necessarily achieved when one party decides to work with another. To be a true partnership both parties need to be on the same page about what is happening. A shared vision with a clear set of objectives should be drafted in collaboration through dialogue and deliberation. The establishment of a shared vision and objectives can be used to guide action and promote success. Although the relationship studied was not a true partnership, I do believe that when the private sector partners with coastal fishing communities, adaptive capacity can be affected. Whether or not such partnerships are successful in enhancing adaptive capacity will largely depend on the nature of the relationship.

The relationship at the centre of this case study had a number of strengths and weaknesses. The first strength was that the community mostly supported the work being done through the Program but a weakness was that they were not aware of the Program itself and most attributed the initiatives to

one key individual. That key individual was one of the Programs greatest assets but if he was to leave for any reason, the relationship with the community would be seriously compromised. Another of the Programs key strengths was the knowledge and experience held by the five men in the team. University educated and coming from different corners of the globe, the team had extended networks that could be utilised. A weakness was that the expats in the team shied away from community engagement. While they did attend the occasional workshop, opportunities to interact with local people were often neglected. Language was an obvious barrier, and it could be that the team would benefit from on-going Khmer lessons.

In this case study opportunities to enhance the adaptive capacity of the Prek Svay fishing community through the relationship in question did exist. The greatest prospects come from investment into intangibles such as social and human capital, and participative capacity. In terms of social capital, the relationship provides a chance to build bridging and linking capital. Bringing actors with different backgrounds and skills together can strengthen social capital, as can introducing them into new networks and forums. Strong social capital not only enhances adaptive capacity but it is also known to facilitate recovery following disaster (Aldrich, 2012). In terms of human capital, adaptive capacity could be enhanced through improvements in education, health, and access to information. Although the staff village Doctor did not come under the Conservation and Community Program umbrella, the extension of healthcare and medical advice to the community is beneficial in promoting adaptive capacity through improvements to human capital.

Social and human capital works to enhance not only adaptive capacity but also participative capacity and social learning. In Prek Svay participative capacity is weak. For the community to be resilient, whether to climate change or hazards and disaster more generally, the ability to participate in civic processes will influence the ability to adapt. If partnerships between the private sector and local communities are to be successful in enhancing adaptive capacity there needs to be a commitment to community empowerment. This means involving the community in initiatives from conception, through to implementation, continuing on into monitoring. It means sharing decision making power, or at the very least ensuring that community contributions will have influence on the decisions being made. It is not doing things for the community that they can do for themselves but rather working together to achieve shared goals and objectives.

7.4

Chapter summary

This case study has shown that working together does not necessarily equate to partnership. A partnership requires an agreement from both parties to work together and should be based on

shared goals and understanding. This case study has also shown that adaptive capacity is not easily measurable. The indicators developed can be used as a tool for description but they do not provide a decisive measure of the concept. That said it is possible to propose where changes in adaptive capacity have occurred or could likely occur in the future. The arrival of Song Saa Private Island Resort has brought livelihood diversification, new healthcare options, and investment into the area. The Conservation and Community Program have worked to improve environmental health, explore sustainable livelihood options, and encourage youth education. In the future a more formal agreement between the two parties, based on a commitment to community empowerment and participation, could further contribute to enhancing adaptive capacity.

Climate change creates uncertainty and poses a significant threat to the Prek Svay Basin community and environment. However it is only one of many threats and should not be read in isolation. Rather climate change should contribute to an all-hazards holistic approach to disaster preparedness and planning. The effects of climate change cannot easily be differentiated from that of other environmental changes. The interconnected and complex nature of social and natural systems makes separating climate change out from other environmental change futile. In the assessment of adaptive capacity access to assets, diversity, governance, and social learning were considered, thus neglecting cultural and socio-cognitive aspects. In Cambodia war and genocide have impacted on culture, trust, and mental health. Factors such as these should not be omitted when analysing capacity for adaptation. Worldview and social constructions are used to frame environmental issues. While we can use science to explain global issues such as climate change, it is important to be mindful of other ways of knowing. Community development must be applicable to the community at the heart of the development.

Chapter 8