The Asia-Pacific Conference on Human Ecology of Island Resiliency and Sustainability was a collaborative endeavour, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders and sharing practices that work and research results on the current status of initiatives, issues and challenges in island development for resiliency and sustainability of the islands in the country and the Asia-Pacific region. The Conference, which was held on 27 – 29 November 2014 at Acacia Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The holding of the Conference was spearheaded by the College of Human Ecology of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, in partnership with HUMEIN Philippines, Inc., SCPW, among others. It aimed to:
- describe the status of initiatives and practices that work on island resiliency and sustainability;
- create a network or community of learners to share experiences, challenges, and effective interventions in mainstreaming climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management towards island resiliency and sustainability; and
- formulate a policy/research agenda, and project collaborations in various interconnected and complex human ecological concerns among islands.
The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands took charge of the breakout session on Wetlands, Ecotourism and Biodiversity. Other sessions were on Participatory Disaster Risk Management, Open Distance E-Learning, Nutrition and Human Ecology, Understanding Island Sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge and Resiliency among Island Communities, Community Resiliency and Food Security.
Topics presented at the Breakout Session of Wetlands, Ecotourism, and Biodiversity are:
- “Wetlands and Island Resiliency”
Ms. Amy M. Lecciones
(Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc.) - “The Role of Capital Assets in Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at the Local Level”
Arch. Aaron M. Lecciones
(Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. / University of the Philippines – Los Baños) - “Water Supply and Sanitation: Challenges for Clean Water for All in Island Setting”
Ms. Lyn N. Capistrano
(Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation) - “Sustainable Island Tourism”
Atty. Lucas Nunag
(Provincial Government of Bohol) - “Mangroves as Natural Infrastructure Against Impacts of Climate Change”
Dr. Honorato G. Palis
(Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. / Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) - “Sustainable Energy Options in Island Settings”
Ms. Claire Lee
(Solutions Using Renewable Energy, Inc.)
