The Coral Triangle Initiative and regional exchanges: Strengthening capacity through a regional learning network |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;2. School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, 3707 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6715, USA;1. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;2. School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, 3707 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6715, USA;1. Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries, Palmaille 90, 22767 Hamburg, Germany;2. Department of Applied Economics I, University of the Basque Country, Faculty of Economics and Business, Lehendakari Agirre 83, 48015 Bilbao, Spain;1. Institute of Estuarine & Coastal Studies, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK;2. Hull University Business School, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK;3. Law School, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK;4. School of Politics, Philosophy & International Studies, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK;1. Environmental Study and Research Centre, State University of Campinas, Rua dos Flamboyants 155, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-867, Brazil;2. Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 33, 1018 WB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;3. Grupo Gestão e Conservação de Recursos de Uso Comum (CGCommons), Environmental Studies and Research Centre, State University of Campinas, Rua dos Flamboyants 155, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-867, Brazil;1. Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, NL-3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands;2. PBL Netherlands Environment Assessment Agency, PO Box 303, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;3. Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and University of Maryland, USA;4. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria;5. Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), PO Box 60 12 03, 14412 Potsdam, Germany;1. Department of Educational Science – University of Catania, Italy;2. Department of Economics and Business – University of Catania, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Natural resource management and conservation programs that promote building capacity and social learning among participants often lead to the formation of learning networks: a type of social network where learning is both a goal and potential outcome of the network. Through forming relationships and sharing information, participants in a learning network build social capital that can help a network achieve social and environmental goals. In this study, we explored social capital in a learning network that emerged through a large-scale marine governance effort, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security. Through a mixture of social network analysis and key informant interviews, we examined the major patterns of information exchange among individuals who had participated in regional learning exchanges; evaluated whether the network's structure resulted in information sharing; and considered implications for strengthening network sustainability, capacity building, and learning. We found that the Regional Exchange network fostered information sharing among participants across national and organizational boundaries. While the network had individuals who were more central to information sharing, the network structure was generally decentralized, indicating potential resilience to changes in leadership and membership. Participants stressed the importance of the knowledge and connections they had acquired through the learning network; however, they expressed doubts regarding its sustainability and stressed the need for a strong coordinating entity. Our findings suggest that conservation learning networks have the ability to bridge cultural divides and promote social learning; however, a strong network coordinator and continuing efforts to support information sharing and learning are crucial to the network's strength and sustainability. The tangible learning and capacity development outcomes cultivated through Regional Exchange network underscore the value of and need to invest in conservation networks that support peer-to-peer learning. |
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| Keywords: | Learning networks Collaboration Coral Triangle Capacity building Social network analysis |
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