November 27, 2012

ARUSHA - Tanzanian civil society organizations piloting REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation) have for the third straight year joined together to endorse key messages for COP 18 in Doha, Qatar.  This year, they are still calling for fair, equitable and environmentally sound outcomes at the COP, but even more importantly, they are "re-stating and stressing the urgency of [their] messages to the Parties."

The nine CSOs are encouraging international decision-makers to consider key messages that they are making based on their hands-on experience implementing REDD projects.  The messages call for adequate financing; robust social and environmental safeguards; and clarification and support of carbon monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV).  Further, the NGOs state that REDD, if done right, can bring positive benefits, but that it should not stand alone - "REDD+ alone is not the answer. Urgent and drastic action is needed in other sectors...At a global level, for REDD+ to be an effective measure for climate change mitigation it must be part of ambitious emissions reduction pledges by Parties."

The Role of Civil Society in the Constitution making Process

The Foundation for Civil Society organized the 10th Civil Society Annual Forum in Dar es Salaam from October 14 to 16 November 2012. The theme of the event was titled ‘The Role of Civil Society in the Process of Preparing the Constitution'.

More than 400 participants including CSOs from all over Tanzania attended this three day event. This forum presented key issues from different sectors which will be given priority in the constitution for the country’s development. Geofrey Mwanjela, TNRF's Head of Programs, made a presentation on 'new constitution and cross-cutting issues in natural resources.' The forum also identified avenues and strategies to strengthen the involvement of citizens and civil society in the constitutional review process.

Discussion forum topics included, natural resources, gender, oil and gas, education, health, the role of local government, freedom of information and freedom of expression.

Learn more about the event here  & here.

Press Release

November 1, 2012

ARUSHA-Twenty civil society organizations have provided recommendations on ways to strengthen and improve the social and environmental aspects of an intended public-private initiative that aims to address food security and development in Tanzania's Southern Corridor. 

On October 31^st, the group of CSOs submitted their feedback to the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (known as ‘SAGCOT') in response to a call for feedback on SAGCOT's draft "Green Growth Investment Framework" (known as the ‘Greenprint').The CSO's commend SAGCOT for producing a framework that outlines strategies for environmentally sustainable and equitable investments, but they call for more detail, clarity and strength to ensure that this initiative truly is sustainable, broad-based and pro-poor.

From October 22 - 26, TNRF held a training in Mwanza on Pastoralism, Policy Analysis and Advocacy. The training was part of a TNRF and CARE project known as the "Pastoralist Program", which seeks to reduce poverty and vulnerability of pastoralist communities in Tanzania, with the purpose of advancing pastoralist men, women and children's right to a sustainable livelihood.  The training in Mwanza brought together CSO representatives, Local Government Authority and district leaders from districts in the Lake and Central zones. 

Read more about the training here.