Global Networks in Conservation: The Politics of Engagement between States, Civil Society and the World Bank

Abstract

This article examines the vertical nature of global networks that encompass civil society organizations (CSOs), Governments, donors and the private sector. It focuses on the power dynamics in environmental governance to cast light on how complex networks are able to define, prescribe and implement particular conservation policies at the national and sub-national levels. This article uses the case of conservation non-government organizations (NGOs) in Madagascar to reveal the ways that CSOs act as a conduit for global interests played out at national and local scales.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the anonymous referees for comments on earlier versions. I am grateful to the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for funding this research, grant number RES 000 22 0342

Notes

1. Association Nationale pour la Gestion des Aires Protegees  (ANGAP).

2. For further discussion of threats to biodiversity in Madagascar see ‘Madagascar Biodiversity Threatened’ (16 January 2002) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1761893.stm (accessed 02 May 2009).

3. http://wcs.org/sw-around_the_globe/Africa/Madagascar (accessed 20 August 2007).

4. http://web.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/strategies/ (accessed 14 August 2007).

5. Madagascar is currently in Phase III of the programme, which is running two years behind schedule because World Bank support was suspended during the presidential crisis of 2001–2.

6. Interview with Hery Zo Rakotondrainbe, Office National Pour l'Environnement, Antananarivo, 29 August 2001.

7. http://www.wcs.org/international/Africa/madagascar/wcsmadagascar (accessed 20 August 2007).

8. Interview with Leon M. Rajaobelina, Senior Executive Director, Conservation International Madagascar, Antananarivo, 23 March 2004.

9. http://www.conservation.org/xp/gcf/where/ (accessed 20 August 2007).

10. Interview with Holisoa Rasamoelina, Chef de Service Suivi et Communication, Project d'Appui a la Gestion de l'Environnement (PAGE), Antananarivo, 28 August 2001.

11. http://www.conservation.org/xp/frontlines/science/strategy24-1.xml (accessed 20 August 2007).

12. Interview with Dr. Helen Crowley, Country Director, Madagascar Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society.

13. Interview with Tiana Razarimahatrata, CARE Madagascar, Antananarivo, 21 April 2004.

14. Madagascar to Triple Areas Under Protection’ (16 September 2003) http://www.conservation.org/xp/news/press_releases/020403.xml (accessed 03 November 2003).

15. Interview with Dr. Helen Crowley, Country Director, Madagascar Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, Antananarivo 25 March 2004; and interview with Bienvenu Rajohnson, Senior Environmental Policy, Adviser, World Bank, Antananarivo, 26 March 2004; and see ‘Madagascar to Triple Areas Under Protection’ (16 September 2003).

16. http://www.conservation.org/xp/news/press_releases/020403.xml (accessed 03 November 2003).

17. Interview with Dr. Helen Crowley, Country Director, Madagascar Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society.

18. Interview with Dr. Helen Crowley, Country Director, Madagascar Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, Antananarivo 25 March 2004; interview with Dr Joanna Durbin, Director of the Madagascar Programme, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Antananarivo, 31 March 2004; and interview with Leon M. Rajaobelina, Senior Executive Director, Conservation International Madagascar, Antananarivo, 23 March 2004.

19. http://www.conservation.org/xp/gcf/where/ (accessed 20 August 2007); http: Madagascar creates 1 million hectares of new protected areas, at http://web.conservation.org/xp/news/press_releases/2007/043007a.xml (accessed 04 July 2007).http://www.usaid.gov/stories/madagascar/ss_md_biodiversity.html (accessed 28 October 2008).

20. Madagascar creates 1 million hectares of new protected areas, at http://web.conservation.org/xp/news/press_releases/2007/043007a.xml (accessed 04 July 2007).

21. Interview with Dr. Helen Crowley, Country Director, Madagascar Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, Antananarivo 25 March 2004; interview with Dr Joanna Durbin, Director of the Madagascar Programme, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Antananarivo, 31 March 2004; and interview with Lantoniaina Antriamampianina, Director of the Terrestrial Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, Antananarivo 24 March 2004.

22. Anonymous interviewee, Madagascar 2004.