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At the second Global Environments Network (GEN) event this year, we headed to the beautiful landscapes of the Moroccan High Atlas. Named “Community-based management in the Mediterranean: Innovations in socio-environmental research and action”, this was the Network’s third Regional Academy—the first two were held in Latin America—and the first of its kind in the Mediterranean.

Fourteen participants from different Mediterranean countries gathered for this 10-day Academy (2–11 November 2018): the Mediterranean Environments Regional Academy (MERA). Through a range of holistic and cross-disciplinary learning approaches, including inspiring plenaries and roundtable dialogues, practical workshops, field trips, participant presentations, skills training and one-on-one mentoring sessions, participants were immersed in intense and in-depth learning. With a focus on cultural landscapes and seascapes, regional and international experts, known as resource people, were brought in to play the role of educators, facilitators and mentors for the participants. MERA was centered around four primary themes: local product commercialisation, rural livelihoods and the private sector; communal governance and management systems in the context of local and national government; policy, advocacy and the role of communities in promoting biodiversity-friendly cultural practices; and gender approaches to agroecology and food systems.

“The level of interaction at MERA was inspiring”, Nessie, GEN Director, said. “Participants were very forthcoming with sharing their personal stories and knowledge, and the challenges they face in their efforts to maintain the beautiful Mediterranean cultural landscapes and seascapes they live and work in”, she added. “For example, the peer-to-peer sharing during the community workshop on commercialisation—designed to analyse the existing situation of different plant and animal products within local areas—really allowed us to gain an understanding of the issues and opportunities surrounding potential commercial products. Together, we created a shortlist of a range of products to explore further”, Nessie explained.

Learn more about MERA in the photo story "First Mediterranean regional academy focuses on community-based resource management". Below are a couple of photos as a sneak preview.

Group discussion

As part of the policy, lobbying, advocacy and communication workshop, participants worked through two case studies of communal systems in small groups to strengthen their advocacy skills. Through this exercise, we provided the group with a framework that will support them to conceptualise and carry out advocacy campaigns at different levels to obtain political influence and build solid argumentation through communication and evaluation. [Photo by Pommelien/GDF]

Demonstration of plants

Thanks to a guided tour and demonstration at our host site, Espace Tamount, we discussed local plant products opportunities and their different uses and health benefits. Moroccan wild thyme for example is traditionally used to treat stomach pains, aching muscles and colds. [Photo by Inanc/GDF]

For more on MERA and our other GEN events, please visit the Global Environments Network website.

Thank you for your support!

Links:

• More details on MERA
• Global Diversity Foundation's Mediterranean programme