What kinds of dynamics have you observed in mapping sessions? “The session offers stakeholders a unique opportunity to analyse their system together. It is often the first time that these people find themselves together in the same room. Civil society actors in particular may never previously have been part of such country-wide discussion. This mix of people leads to a more comprehensive big picture. Interpreting the facts together creates mutual understanding. Professional divides suddenly seem less important, for instance between environmental and sectoral ministries. Grievances from the private sector are taken seriously and taboos evaporate.” What has been the outcome of the mappings? “Frequently, follow-up emerges, for example under the leadership of academics or associations of professionals. A second striking element is that civil society often starts to participate in ESIA more structurally. In Benin, for example, an ESIA mapping kickstarted a community of practice under the leadership of the association of ESIA professionals. This community is still vibrant after three years. In Burkina, mapping coincided with an initiative to reform the ESIA authority, and many mapping participants have become a sounding board for this reform. In Togo, only three months after an ESIA mapping, the minister who had attended signed a decree to break a long stalemate about the division of responsibilities in the ESIA system. Momentum is now building to take this discussion to sub-regional level, to the West African Economic and Monetary Union.” Contact: Ms Bobbi Schijf, Technical Secretary bschijf@eia.nl Mr Sibout Nooteboom snooteboom@eia.nl, Technical Secretary 36 The NCEA’s Views and Experiences 2018
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